Design mockup note — placeholder figures
DFCS does not publish a public rate table, so the dollar amounts below are illustrative placeholders for this design mockup. Before launch, this table must be filled from the current DFCS/OPM schedule and date-stamped — that verification workflow is exactly what this page template is designed around.
The FY2026 rates
Georgia pays foster parents a daily per diem (your case manager may call it a "board rate"). It's a reimbursement for the child's day-to-day costs, set by the child's age. Rates below are for DFCS family foster homes; private-agency (CPA/RBWO) homes are paid through their agency at different levels.
| Child's age | Per day* | ≈ Per month (30 days) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5 years | $26.10 | $783 |
| 6–12 years | $28.30 | $849 |
| 13+ years | $31.60 | $948 |
*Illustrative placeholder figures — see the note above. Rates are set by fiscal year (July 1). Agencies reported an FY2026 increase, but DFCS hasn't confirmed it publicly — it's on our verification list with the Office of Provider Management.
What the per diem must cover
Policy expects the per diem to stretch across everything ordinary in a child's life. In practice, veteran foster parents will tell you it usually doesn't cover all of it — you will spend some of your own money. Better to know now.
Per diem is for…
- Food and household costs
- Clothing upkeep & replacement
- Personal allowance for the child
- School supplies & activities
- Everyday transportation
Paid separately
- Initial clothing allowance at placement
- Medical & dental (Medicaid / GF 360°)
- Childcare via CAPS (priority group — served ahead of the waitlist)
- Respite care — up to 10 days/fiscal year
- Some travel, by prior approval
When the money actually arrives
Per diem is paid in arrears on a 30-day reimbursement cycle: you complete a monthly invoice, and payment for that month arrives the following month — direct deposit typically lands around the 15th. For a new placement, that means roughly four to six weeks before the first payment. Budget for the gap — and get the initial clothing allowance moving on day one, because that's a separate request.
Is it taxable?
Generally no. Foster care payments are excluded from federal income tax under IRC §131, and Georgia follows. Whether you can claim your foster child as a dependent is a separate question with more moving parts — see Foster care and taxes in Georgia, and confirm your situation with a tax professional.
If the care is more demanding
The county director can add a special per diem of $0.50–$1.75 per day for children whose care requires substantially more. For children with significant medical, behavioral, or developmental needs, a specialized rate is requested through the placement office — ask your case manager to initiate it; you can't file it yourself. If you're with a private agency, the RBWO program designation (Traditional, Base, or Maximum Watchful Oversight, plus specialty designations) drives the rate instead.
The honest bottom line
The per diem offsets real costs; it is not income, and no one fosters for the money. If the math is the thing holding you back, call your case manager about the separately-paid supports above — most families leave money on the table simply because nobody told them.
Sources & verification
- DHS financial manual §2301.1 — special per diem ($0.50–$1.75), payment mechanicsffs.dhs.ga.gov Jul 2, 2026
- fostergeorgia.com — per diem overview, 30-day invoice cyclefostergeorgia.com Jul 2, 2026
- DFCS policy manual (PAMMS) §16.5 — specialized per diempamms.dhs.ga.gov Jul 2, 2026
This page summarizes policy in plain language and is not financial or legal advice. Rates change every July 1; if today is past our verified date, ask your case manager to confirm before budgeting.