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Leaving foster care between 18 and 21 in California: what to do first, deadlines, documents, and which benefits open

What former foster youth in California can file: Medi-Cal to age 26 with no income test for those in care on their 18th birthday, extended foster care to 21 with re-entry any time before 21, and the Foster Youth Tax Credit and Chafee Grant. Each rule has its official source.

What happens when you leave foster care between 18 and 21

A young person in foster care turns 18 or leaves care before 21. Medi-Cal to 26, extended foster care, a state tax credit and student grants all depend on having been in care. This page lists what to file first, the deadlines the agencies state, the documents they name, and the programs the event opens. Each deadline and each rule carries the id of the official page it was read from on 2026-10-09; a rule no official page stated reads UNKNOWN.

First actions, in order
JSONFirst actions, in order
3 items
6 keys
"order"1
"action""Keep or apply for Former Foster Youth Medi-Cal (form MC 250A)."
"program_id""B011"
"program_slug""california-medi-cal"
"deadline""Any time before age 26."
"source""s_dpss_ffy"
6 keys
"order"2
"action""Stay in or re-enter Extended Foster Care while meeting a participation condition."
"program_id""B061"
"program_slug""california-extended-foster-care-chafee"
"deadline""Re-entry any time before the 21st birthday."
"source""s_cdss_efc_reentry"
6 keys
"order"3
"action""File the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application for Cal Grant and the Chafee Grant."
"program_id""B056"
"program_slug""california-cal-grant"
"deadline""March 2, or September 2 for community college."
"source""s_csac_calgrant"

Deadlines that cost money or coverage when missed

ProgramDeadlineDaysCounted fromSource
B011 Medi-Cal (Medicaid)Former Foster Youth Medi-Cal lasts up to age 26.the 26th birthdays_dpss_ffy
B061 Extended Foster Care (AB 12) + Chafee grantsExtended Foster Care: re-enter any time before the 21st birthday.the 21st birthdays_cdss_efc_reentry
B056 Cal Grant A / B / CFAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by March 2 (September 2 for community college).the academic years_csac_calgrant

Documents to gather

  • Form MC 250A for Former Foster Youth Medi-Cal (Los Angeles County's version MC 250A-LA) (B011; s_dpss_ffy_form)

Programs this event opens

Official addresses

Related pages
References (7)
  1. Former Foster Youth — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“If you were in Foster Care on your 18th birthday, you are eligible to Full-Scope Medi-Cal benefits up to age 26.”
  2. Extended Foster Care (AB 12): re-entry — California Department of Social Services“They can re-enter at any time before their 21st birthday if they need support.”
  3. Cal Grant — California Student Aid Commission“The FAFSA or CADAA must be submitted by the March 2 priority deadline to maximize financial aid opportunities or by September 2 if attending or planning to attend a California Community College.”
  4. Former Foster Youth: the form — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“you may apply by completing the MC 250A-LA application form.”
  5. CalFresh — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“The CalFresh Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) helps low-income households increase their food-buying power to meet their household”
  6. Foster Youth Tax Credit: placement — California Franchise Tax Board“Were in foster care at age 13 or older and placed through the California foster care system”
  7. Extended Foster Care (AB 12) — California Department of Social Services“To be eligible for EFC, youth must be age 18-21 and have had an order for foster care placement on their 18th birthday.”