Youth are eligible to receive services through the Independent Living Program when they have been in care for 90 cumulative days after their 16th birthday, or have "aged out" of foster care. Federally recognized tribes are also eligible for Independent Living Program services in collaboration with the state run program. Tribal youth must meet the same eligibility criteria as non-tribal youth.
A youth is eligible for Chafee IL services when he/she:
- Is currently under the legal custody of the State or Indian Tribe through a court order, and
- Is between the ages of fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21) years of age, and
- Is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
A former foster youth is eligible for Chafee IL services when he/she:
- Is a former foster youth who is currently under twenty-three (23) years of age, and
- Is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen, and
- Has been under the State or Tribal care and placement authority established by a court order or voluntary agreement with the youth’s family, or under a voluntary agreement for continued care after the youth has reached eighteen (18) years of age, and
- Has been placed in foster care for a minimum of ninety (90) days total after reaching sixteen (16) years of age or has aged out of foster care, or
- Is eighteen (18) to twenty-three (23) years of age, is from another state and now residing in Idaho, and can provide verification of meeting Idaho’s Independent Living eligibility criteria.
- Room and board services are available only to those eligible youth, including American Indian/Alaska Native youth, who have aged out of foster care settings upon reaching the age of 18 years, but have not yet reached the age of 21
Contact your case manager, independent living coordinator, or statewide coordinator to apply for services.
All Independent Living (IL) eligible youth who leave foster care and contact the department to request services must receive a Casey Life Skills Assessment to assess their current needs, for achieving goals to ensure a successful transition into adulthood.
All youth and young adults receiving IL services are expected to actively participate in the development of their IL plan, monthly contact is required. (Does not have to be in person)