[chevyjewel]

Our county used to provide $350 dollars per child as a clothing allowance. This time around I was asked to come up with a list of items my two current kiddos needed because they came with a few boxes of clothing already. Off that list the county determined each of my current kiddos is eligible for $300 worth of clothing items based on a years worth of need, but I have to pay for it all out of pocket and then submit receipts. I don't have $600 just lying around to go purchase their clothes and then wait until the end of the month to get reimbursed!!! I'm a stay at home mom with two other children! I'd love to just wait until the end of the month but it's October now, and I'm in MN. It's getting really chilly and they're going to need warmer stuff sooner than the end of the month.

I'm wondering how others agencies handle clothing allowances, and how the items are purchased. Is anyone else expected to pay out of pocket like this??? How do you all manage it?

[arubagirl]

here in New Jersey foster kids get a certain amount per day for clothing and it comes with their monthly check.

[HappyHopefulMommy]

We are in CA. Kids are allowed a certain amount per year. But we got a sib set of 3 and there clothing allowance for the year has already been paid, so we do not even get anything for clothing.

[thelowlanders]

I know it doesn't help with question about the reimbursement, but...

I actually shop Goodwill, St Vincent De Paul's, etc. Thanks to shopaholics I get practically new stuff all the time. Even name brands teen would be happy with. Somebody keeps turning in 90 dollar kids nike shoes barely used about every 6-9 months along with many nice clothes. My children are always dressed well and complimented, and I just smile knowing I paid like 90 cents for their shirt. hehe

Kids here only get 150 dollars one time. That's it. When it's already spent on rediculous stuff by the shelter worker, we're kinda out of luck.

[vegaschristina]

Clothing allowance? You get one? Wow! I just get my monthly stipend. And if you have school-aged kids, you get $37.50 for all of their supplies!

[chevyjewel]

Originally Posted by thelowlanders

I know it doesn't help with question about the reimbursement, but...

I actually shop Goodwill, St Vincent De Paul's, etc. Thanks to shopaholics I get practically new stuff all the time. Even name brands teen would be happy with. Somebody keeps turning in 90 dollar kids nike shoes barely used about every 6-9 months along with many nice clothes. My children are always dressed well and complimented, and I just smile knowing I paid like 90 cents for their shirt. hehe

Kids here only get 150 dollars one time. That's it. When it's already spent on rediculous stuff by the shelter worker, we're kinda out of luck.

I'm a Once Upon A Child FANATIC!!! For the same reasons you mentioned. New or nearly new name brand stuff at a tiny fraction of the cost. I can stretch a dollar there till it squeaks and the kids are dressed to the nines LOL!

[chevyjewel]

Originally Posted by vegaschristina

Clothing allowance? You get one? Wow! I just get my monthly stipend. And if you have school-aged kids, you get $37.50 for all of their supplies!

I'm not sure if it's my county agency or my state I should give credit to there. I do know we are incredibly well reimbursed for caring for our foster kiddos compared to what I've read some of you all's rates are. With programs like WIC also available there's always more than enough to cover their costs while they're staying here. It's ridiculous at times and I've often times felt guilty accepting all of what's offered. I could seriously raise or care for 10 kids off of it.

[hermommy]

Wow this really blows my mind. Here where I am from the children get a one time 300.00 clothing voucher when coming into care. Then we are given 600.00 a month to care for that child. 100.00 of that is to be spent on clothing. Usually I am giving clothes away with tags still on them as fd is growing so fast.

[mamallama]

The daily rate for basic with our agency is $21. We also get WIC. The clothing allowance is $50 when they first come into care. It's reimbursed a month and 15 days behind. Also CPS gives us a $60 voucher to Target for clothing every quarter.

Do you have a charge account you could use? Then you could pay the bill when you get the reimbursement. You could also call your worker and tell them that you don't have the money to front with winter coming quick and gas prices soaring. I'm sure they would understand. Our agency has been said to give cash advances and sometimes the worker can charge items on the agency AmEx account.

[chevyjewel]

Originally Posted by mamallama

The daily rate for basic with our agency is $21. We also get WIC. The clothing allowance is $50 when they first come into care. It's reimbursed a month and 15 days behind. Also CPS gives us a $60 voucher to Target for clothing every quarter.

Do you have a charge account you could use? Then you could pay the bill when you get the reimbursement. You could also call your worker and tell them that you don't have the money to front with winter coming quick and gas prices soaring. I'm sure they would understand. Our agency has been said to give cash advances and sometimes the worker can charge items on the agency AmEx account.

We don't have credit cards. Unfortunately both the hubby and I got into trouble with them fresh out of high school and the drama that caused us has shyed us away from getting one since we've been together. Excellent idea though, I just called up my dad who offered to let us borrow one of his since it'll only be for a month and he'll earn some rewards off the purchases. Made me feel like a totally dependant needy child again but it'll work great for the both of us!

Thanks for the suggestion!!!

[EandDmom]

We get a one time $100 voucher if the child is being placed for the first time. If they have been in care before we get nothing. I'm slowly working on getting winter stuff for my 3. Got some cute stuff at goodwill on wed.

[diane3]

I know the holidays are quite aways off, but there are a lot of organizations that can help with some needed clothing initially. When we first got not 1, but 3 placements within a week, we had to go out and purchase more furniture and the kids came with only about a week's worth of dencent clothing. In our community during the Christmas holidays we have a program called "shop with a cop," it was a Godsend the first year, and helped our kids see the police in a better light as well. You may want to check out your local faith communities and support agencies. I do know from experience if you have to pay out of pocket make extra copies of the receipts and send them in immediately. Our first SW lost numerous receipts and that first year we were out over $1000.00

Another possibility is to check out other foster families in your area. Good luck!!!

[meshsgrl]

I am always expected to pay for everything up front then IF I am lucky I get reimbursed!! It depends which county i am working with as to how much I get reimbursed! I always take money out of the first months check and put it back for the next set of kids.
I also visit thrift shops and stockpile so I dont have to rush out and purchase stuff.

I just gor WIC for the first time... and OMG it really saves alot on your grocery bill!!

[Vitality08]

We also have to buy clothes up front and then submit the receipts. I'm not REQUIRED to spend it all at once though. I did school shopping about a month ago and soon will buy coats and boots.

Who says you have to spend the entire $300 per child all at once?

[Sam-N-Tony]

In FL, we ares supposed to get a $50 clothing allowance when they first come into care, I've had 9 kids and have never seen it myself. Though I did get $200. for each child in July, I believe that's only once a year. BUT we do have someone who runs a clothing closet out of her house and we just call her up and stock up our kids for FREE. When the kids go home or wherever, I always sent them fully stocked because I know I can get more clothes for new kids coming in.