Chafee Wraparound
Chafee Wraparound is flexible funding available for those adolescents in an independent living skills, aftercare, or transitional living program. The funds can be used to pay security deposits, up to four months' rent, purchase linens, furniture, driving lessons, or other items or services that will help the adolescent obtain independence.
Eligible adolescents are as follows:
• Age 16 to their 21st birthday who are in an independent living skills or transitional living program
• Age 18 to their 21st birthday who are in an aftercare program
• Age 18 to their 21st birthday, who are no longer an open DYFS case or in an aftercare program, but were in a DYFS placement on their 18th birthday
Only independent living skills, aftercare, and transitional living programs can make requests for the Chafee Wraparound funds. A young person must work with one of these programs in order to access these funds.
Chafee Funding Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is eligible for Chafee funding?
a. Clients who have a current open DYFS case and are living in an out-of-home placement, either were formerly in DYFS and living in an out-of-home placement on their 18th birthday, or are currently living in a transitional living program funded under the state or federal homeless youth programs are eligible for funding.
2. Can I just get a check for $4,000.00 and spend it how I need to?
a. No. Chafee funding is NOT an entitlement. No check will ever be made payable to a client because supervision of funds spent is the responsibility of your independent living coordinator.
3. Can I use Chafee to pay for my education (tuition, books, computers)?
a. Yes, but each client must first apply for the NJFC Scholars Program. This scholarship will help clients pay for college. Each client must re-apply for NJFC Scholars every year. The application can be found on this website by going to the Higher Education section or by visiting the Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS) Web site at http://fafsonline.org/Scholarship.html. Chafee will only pay for education and educational items if the NJFC Scholars application is denied.
4. What requests are considered in need of “special approval”?
a. If a client has already exhausted all of their Chafee funds, has requested funds for an item not listed on the wraparound request, or has used all of the restricted requests are considered special requests. These need special approval from the Adolescent Services Unit, Independent Living Coordinator.
5. What are restricted requests?
a. Restricted requests are listed on the wraparound request form under the heading “Eligible Wraparound Services.” These include security deposits, rent, driving lessons, clothing, furniture/household items and utilities. Each one of these services has either a time limit or a maximum funding amount.
6. When do I need to submit pay stubs with my Chafee request, and how many do I need?
a. Pay stubs are needed when funding is requested for rent, utilities and car insurance (any ongoing expense.) This is to ensure that the client is not relying solely on the Chafee funding to maintain the service in the future. Clients should submit 3 to 4 pay stubs along with their wraparound request.
7. When will I know I am approved or denied for a request?
a. All regular requests will be approved or denied within 3-5 business days. However, special requests may be between 10-14 business days. All approved Chafee funds will be sent through the mail or given to the case manager for handling. If a request is denied, a letter or email will be sent to the case manager or requesting agency for notification. A courtesy call will also be placed in case there is additional information needed.
8. What happens if I do not know who to make the check payable to?
a. No checks will be authorized or cut without a name and address clearly visible at the bottom of the request. It is your responsibility to find out who the check should be payable to.
9. Why do I have to return all receipts?
a. Receipts are needed to track all monies spent in the Chafee funds. All receipts must be returned within 30 days to the Southern Region office at Robins' Nest, Inc. in attention to the Wraparound Administrator. If a client does not return receipts, he/she will be unable to access any more funds from Chafee funding.
10. Do all of my receipts have to total the same amount I received in a Chafee check?
a. Yes. These funds are here to help clients in need. Chafee funds are not an entitlement to do whatever a client pleases; these funds are for emergency situations. The receipts must be equal to the amount authorized with a $5.00 differential. Anything over $5.00 must be returned to the Wraparound Administrator. Your case manager must also write a letter to the Adolescent Services Unit, Independent Living Coordinator explaining that all monies were not utilized. This letter, along with the extra money, must be returned to the Wraparound Administrator to have the money re-deposited into the account.
11. What happens if I lose a receipt?
a. If a receipt is lost, contact the business or company to see if they can reprint the proof of payment. A petty cash receipt may be used as a receipt with a stamp or signature of the manager/owner. If you cannot in any way receive a receipt from a business, contact the Wraparound Administrator and provide the name and number of the company.
12. Do I have to have my worker go with me to purchase certain items I need?
a. Yes. Your worker must be present when purchasing items to help teach you money management skills and to ensure that the funds are spent for their intended use.
13. If the check is sent directly to my landlord or utility company, how should I get the receipt?
a. If the check is sent from the wraparound administrating agency for your county, a receipt letter will be sent along with a paid-stamped envelope to return the receipt document to the office. However, it is the responsibility of the client or agency to check and see if the Wraparound Administrator received the receipt in order to request any more Chafee funding. If there is a problem with receipts not being returned in a timely fashion, a phone call or email will be sent to the worker/agency for information on the matter.
14. Can I use my most recent car insurance statement as a receipt even if the Chafee money was for my car insurance two payments ago?
a. Yes. If the original check was mailed, it will show on the next statement. If payment is being made in person, always ask for a receipt.
15. Who do checks have to be made out to?
a. Checks are written only to companies, businesses, and department stores. It is your responsibility to ensure that these places accept third-party business checks. The address of the company and who to make the check payable must be included or the request will be denied. Checks will never be made payable to clients unless the client is being reimbursed for something they have already paid and can provide appropriate receipts for funds requested.
16. Can Chafee funds help me pay for my prom?
a. Department of Children and Families has a separate wraparound/flex fund pool that is specifically designed for such expenses like prom. The client must first request money through their DYFS case worker. If the request for prom funding is denied, the denial letter must be sent to the Wraparound Administrator along with the request form in order for Chafee to pay for the prom.
17. Can I use my Chafee money for something else other that what it was intended for in an emergency? (I.E. client has no food)
a. Situations may arise when the need for Chafee funding may change. If this is the case, the requesting agency must notify the Wraparound Administrator of the change in use of the funding. If a client has no food, this is an emergency situation and most likely be authorized.
18. Will Chafee funding pay for a car?
a. No.
19. What are considered appropriate requests for Chafee funding?
a. Everything that is listed on the wraparound request form under the title “Eligible Wraparound Services” are deemed suitable. Please note that some of these services are time sensitive or amount sensitive.
20. Why are there limits on services?
a. There are time and amount limits set on certain services because Chafee funds were designed come into use during emergency situations only. The funds will not pay an ongoing expense because we do not want to set our clients up to fail. Clients should be able to maintain their expenses on their own and should not have to rely on Chafee forever.
21. Who must fill out the wraparound request form?
a. Your worker is responsible to completely fill out the request form. Be sure to include appropriate documentation when needed, along with who to make the check payable to and their address. A small narrative is needed from both the worker and the client explaining how this funding will fit into his/her overall plan. Incomplete requests are subject to denial.
22. Can Chafee pay for medical bills?
a. Clients should always use their Medicaid insurance first. If you do not have Medicaid, there is a new medical insurance program for youth aging out of foster care. This insurance will cover clients until they are 21 years old. Clients can enroll by calling a toll free number 1-888-235-4766. In the event that you do not have Medicaid, special approval will be needed for the request from the Adolescent Services Unit, Independent Living Coordinator.
Should you have any further questions about Chafee funding, please contact the wraparound administrating agency for your county.
Wraparound Administrating Agencies:
ESSEX∙ UNION∙ MIDDLESEX
Independence: A Family of Services (973) 372-5601
BERGEN∙ HUDSON∙ MORRIS∙ PASSAIC∙ SUSSEX∙ WARREN
Catholic Chartities “Crossroads” (908) 454-2074
HUNTERDON∙ MERCER∙ MONMOUTH∙OCEAN∙ SOMERSET
Catholic Chartities “RAPS” (908) 782-7905
BURLINGTON ∙ CAMDEN
Family Services of Burlington County (609) 518-5470
ATLANTIC∙ CAPE MAY∙ CUMBERLAND∙SALEM∙ GLOUCESTER
Robin's Nest, Inc. “On My Own” (856) 881-8689
Other Financial Resources
Some other sources of financial assistance/money saving that adult foster youth may be eligible for or find helpful include:
• Communications Lifeline-free basic service or a credit on monthly phone bill as well as 50% discount on installation. Does not apply to cell phones. Applications for the program are available through the local welfare office and must be verified, then mailed or faxed to Verizon before establishing service. The name and address on the Verizon account MUST match the name and address for Medicaid/welfare services exactly. For more information call NJ Shares at 1-888-337-3339 or http://www.verizonnj.com/about/community/nj/tele/njlifelinerev.asp
• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) - helps with costs of home heating and medically necessary cooling, even if the young person is a renter and even if heat is included in rent. For more information, call (800) 510-3102 or visit http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/hea.html.
• CORT Furniture Clearance Centers-sell new and off-lease furniture 30-70% off new prices. North Brunswick (732) 729-4844, Maple Shade (856) 802-0202
• Thrift stores and their pricier cousins, consignment shops, are useful for many items, especially women's clothing. Much of the clothing is brand name and in good or new condition.
• Freecycle-a website where people give away unwanted items free for the taking. Local groups in most areas of NJ: http://www.freecycle.org
Independent Living Stipend
Certain young people over the age of 16 whose circumstances make them inappropriate for other independent living arrangements may create an individualized independent living arrangement. The local offices can provide an independent living stipend to assist in paying for rent and food. Youth in any independent living arrangement, whether receiving the independent living stipend or not, are eligible for all other supports such as clothing allowances.
Note: Please check back for future updates concerning the policy on independent living stipends.
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