Family, Children & Caregiving · Surprise rank #245
Recently Left Foster Care? Ask About Chafee Housing and Room-and-Board Help
New York uses Chafee funds to help eligible current and former foster youth move toward independent adulthood. Local social services districts may use those funds for housing-related help, including room and board for eligible former foster youth.
Who
Current or former foster youth who meet Chafee eligibility rules, especially young people transitioning out of foster care. OCFS's 2026 allocation permits room-and-board spending for eligible youth who aged out of foster care and have not attained age 23.
Where: New York State; services are administered through local social services districts and foster-care agencies.
What to do
Start here: Contact the local Department of Social Services or your foster-care/aftercare worker and ask specifically about Chafee independent-living services and room-and-board assistance.
Eligibility: Chafee eligibility depends on foster-care history, age and the service requested. A local Department of Social Services or foster-care agency must confirm eligibility and whether room-and-board funds are available.
What you get
The Chafee Foster Care Program funds independent-living supports such as housing help, education, employment preparation and other transition services. New York permits local districts to use Chafee funds for room and board for eligible former foster youth.
Benefit: Potential room-and-board or other housing-related support plus transition-to-adulthood services. The type and amount of help depend on the local district and the young person's needs.
Possible value: No single statewide cash amount. The practical value can be substantial when a local district funds temporary housing or room-and-board costs, but assistance and limits vary locally.
Good to know
Important: Room-and-board help is not an automatic statewide cash benefit. Local districts have discretion over use of Chafee funds, so availability, amount and service design vary.
Availability: Active; locally administered and funding varies.
Why people miss it: Young adults often hear about foster-care benefits before discharge but do not realize some transition and room-and-board help can continue afterward.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026