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Most of the time, the state seems to attempt to pay for the costs incurred by the foster child. The state gives that monthly check to the foster parents to cover the child's medical appointments, medical equipment, counseling, cost of food, clothing, toys, and sometimes there's enough left over for normal-child stuff like sports or music lessons.
And while the child is in foster care, he/she is entitled to a large range of services including Head Start and other developmental and educational programs, and a state medical card.
It is intended to be possible to care for a foster child using only the state check. Foster parents don't have to be able to afford the child on their income alone - that has never been intended. But "extra" money just doesn't happen. If one child receives a larger check than another child, it is because the child has more needs - needs that are expected to require use of that additional money.
A child with learning disabilities may qualify for "special needs" assistance, but probably only if that learning disability was expected to require additional help - tutors, special programs, summer school, which would use the extra money that was added to the check. That sort of thing.
Hope that helps clear it up!
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