Direct Maintenance Payments Under the Title IV-E Foster Care Program for Children Exceeding the Age Limit

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This final report determined that the State claimed direct maintenance costs for children who were identified as eligible for foster care, but exceeded the age limit for eligibility (age 18). As a result we determined that as much as $68,293 in direct maintenance costs could be unallowable. We are recommending that the State (1) refund maintenance costs for the ineligible 19 year old children and the 18 year old children who had graduated from school and (2) determine if the remaining 18 year olds were full-time students, refunding costs for any who were ineligible. We are also recommending that the State establish computer edits that would prevent payments for children exceeding the age limits.