Eligibility criteria and instructions to counties on Approved Relative Caregiver program

Relative caregivers of foster children who are not eligible for federal foster care payments may be eligible for an equivalent payment through the Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC) program if their counties elect to participate in the program.  While the households of relative caregivers might be eligible for CalWORKs benefits for non-federally eligible foster children, those payments are lower than the federal foster care payment rate.  This letter explains the eligibility requirements for the children and caregivers and instructs the counties on the requirements of the program and how to opt in or out, in accordance with Welf. & Inst. Code §11461.3ACL 14-89.