Payment Rates

EAS 11-301, W&IC 11364

The following are the rates that apply to the Kin-GAP Program. Kin-GAP children are paid based on the rate and policy of the county with the payment responsibility regardless of the host county they reside in. Kin-GAP children are eligible for:

  • The Foster Care Licensed FFH rate, based on age,

    • Note: When the child/youth is living out of state, the rate is based on the host state’s FFH. A new SOC 369A is required to change the rate.

  • The rate is based on three tiers. For rate information refer to the Charts Handbook Chapter 3.1. As of April 1, 2021, the LOCP applies to Kin-GAP cases. Refer to Aid Payments & State Administered Rates for more details.

  • Note: When a Kin-GAP child has a birthday which puts them in a higher age bracket, an automatic increase is granted on the first of the following month.

  • A Specialized Care Increment,
  • An Annual Clothing Allowance (will always be the SCC rate),
  • The Dual Agency Rate (refer to Special Needs and Specialized Rates),
  • An infant supplement (The infant cannot receive CalWORKs or Foster Care if the minor mom is receiving Kin-GAP), and/or

    • Note: When an Infant Supplement is added to the case a new SOC 369A must be completed to update the negotiated rate. Kin-GAP youth are not eligible for the Expecting Parent Payment.

  • A burial allowance, when appropriate.

Level of Care Protocol (LOCP)

The LOCP process is the same for the Foster Care (FC) and Kin-GAP programs. A case transitioning from FC to Kin-GAP with the same provider is a program change but not a placement change. Since the transition from FC to Kin-GAP is an intraprogram status change, no interruptions in payment should occur.  Specifically, the foster care LOC rate will continue to be issued until the EW receives updated payment instructions. 

Reminder: Counties are not permitted to lower LOC levels 2-4 when the child/NMD remains in the same placement. Refer to the LOC Protocol, Triggering Events, and Kin-GAP subsections of the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) topic in FC Chapter 26.

Special Care Increments (SCI)

Effective October 1, 2006, SCI is payable on Kin-GAP Cases based on what the child received while in Foster Care. Effective January 1, 2011, SCIs must be reviewed and reauthorized during the SW/PO reassessment at least once every 2 years or whenever the needs of the child or guardian change.

Note: The County Special Care Increment plan requires a reassessment of an SCI every year for foster care cases. The state has granted permission for all counties to extend the Kin-GAP SCI up to 2 years regardless of their county plan.

 

If the guardian resides outside of the county with payment responsibility, the county with payment responsibility pays the host county’s specialized care rate or its own specialized care rate if the host county has no specialized care system. “Host county/state” means the California county or state other than California, where the child resides.

Refer to Foster Care Handbook Special Needs & Specialized Rates for additional information on SCI payments.

Flexibility For Kin-GAP Cases

If the FC and Kin-GAP placements are with the same placement, there is some flexibility regarding SCIs. The SW or PO may extend the FC SCI for another two years so that the SCI end date matches with the new Kin-GAP redetermination date. A revised SCZ 414Z must be provided to the EW. For more information regarding SCIs, refer to Special Care Increments (SCIs).

Note: The flexibility in the SCI process only applies to the Kin-GAP program when the FC and Kin-GAP placements are the same. 

Wraparound Services

Effective December 8, 2023, the Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) published a Notification indicating that Kin-GAP is now eligible for Wraparound. These services will be provided for six months. Refer to New Wrap Eligible Groups for more information.

Related Topics

Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program