How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid in Maryland? 2025 Stipend Rates

The word "paid" is the first source of confusion. Maryland does not pay foster parents a salary. The monthly maintenance payment is a reimbursement designed to cover the actual costs of caring for the child — food, shelter, clothing, transportation, school supplies. It is not income for your household. Under COMAR 07.02.25.04, you must demonstrate that your family's financial needs are already met independently before any child can be placed with you.

That said, the monthly amounts are meaningful and cover a genuine portion of the costs involved. Here is what the current rates look like.

Standard Board Rates for 2024–2025

Maryland's base maintenance payments vary by the child's age and the level of care required. These rates apply to resource homes licensed through an LDSS (Local Department of Social Services).

The Regular Board Rate applies to children who do not have significant medical or behavioral needs beyond ordinary parenting. Most initial placements start at this level.

Intermediate Care applies when a child has moderate needs — documented developmental delays, mild behavioral challenges, or specific medical requirements that demand a higher level of daily involvement from the caregiver.

Payments are generally issued around the 23rd of each month based on information recorded in Maryland's CJAMS system (Child, Juvenile, and Adult Management System), which replaced the older CHESSIE platform.

Differential Rates for Prince George's and Charles Counties

Prince George's and Charles counties operate under a higher rate structure due to cost-of-living factors and competition with reimbursement rates in the District of Columbia. The differential rate for these two counties is:

If you live in either of these counties, your LDSS will confirm which rate applies at placement.

Treatment Foster Care Rates

Treatment Foster Care (TFC) serves children with more significant medical, psychiatric, or behavioral needs. TFC parents receive specialized pre-service training (28 hours rather than 27) and are paired with therapeutic support staff. The monthly rates for TFC placements through providers like Sevita and Mentor are substantially higher:

TFC parents are licensed through private Child-Placing Agencies (CPAs) rather than directly through the LDSS.

Additional Financial Supports

Clothing allowance: When a child enters your home, Maryland provides a one-time clothing allowance ranging from $60 to $100 depending on the child's age. Ongoing clothing needs are intended to be covered by the monthly board rate, which includes a portion earmarked for clothing.

SUN Bucks (Summer EBT): Maryland's SUN Bucks program provides $120 per child during summer months when school meals are unavailable.

Childcare subsidy: If the child in your care is not yet school age and you work, Maryland offers a childcare subsidy to help cover licensed daycare costs.

Respite care reimbursement: Licensed resource families are eligible for respite care — temporary relief care provided by another approved caregiver. Reimbursement for respite is approximately $30 per night.

Medicaid (HealthChoice): Every child in Maryland foster care is automatically enrolled in Maryland Medicaid. This means all medical, dental, vision, and therapeutic services for the child in your care are covered at no cost to you.

What the Stipend Is Meant to Cover

Maryland's SSA policy directives break down how the board rate is intended to be spent, though resource parents are not required to produce receipts or file itemized accounts. The rate is designed to cover:

• Food and beverages
• Personal hygiene items
• Transportation to school, appointments, and activities
• Recreation and age-appropriate activities
• School supplies and incidentals
• A portion of housing costs attributable to the child's room and board
• Clothing (ongoing; the initial clothing allowance covers the first entry)

The rate is not designed to be a source of profit. Families who pursue foster care primarily for the financial payments often find that the actual costs of care, especially for children with complex needs, exceed the standard board rate.

Kinship Care Rates

Maryland made significant changes to kinship payment rates under the Moore-Miller administration's 2024 reforms. Relatives who are formally licensed as "Restricted Caregivers" receive monthly payments equivalent to the regular foster care board rate. Prior to licensing, relatives may qualify for emergency kinship payments while completing the licensing process. The state's kinship law reform resulted in a 33% increase in youth living with kin statewide — a direct result of making the financial support more accessible.

Tax Considerations

The monthly maintenance payments are generally not considered taxable income under IRS guidelines, provided the foster child is not your dependent for tax purposes. Maryland state tax treatment follows federal guidance. You should confirm your specific situation with a tax professional, particularly if you are also claiming other childcare credits or if the child's placement extends over multiple tax years.

For a full breakdown of Maryland foster care finances — including how to read your CJAMS payment ledger, how to request a rate review, and what additional subsidies apply to children with special needs — the Maryland Foster Care Licensing Guide covers the complete financial picture alongside the licensing requirements.

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