Turning 18: Aging Out of Care and Your Next Steps

By Declan Hayes ·

Turning 18 changes your legal status, but you are not immediately cut off. Most states offer Extended Foster Care and Transitional Living Programs.

The Day You Turn 18

Turning 18 officially makes you a legal adult. But if you are in foster care or a youth shelter, your 18th birthday does not mean you are suddenly cut off and thrown on the street.

You Still Have Options

The support you get depends on the system you are in right now.

  • State Foster Care: Almost every state offers Extended Foster Care until you are 21. If you go to school or work part-time, the state will continue to pay for your housing and health insurance.
  • Youth Shelters: You will age out of the "minor" floors of the shelter. However, most shelters have Transitional Living Programs (TLPs). You just move to the young adult program.
  • ORR Custody: If you are in federal immigration custody, you will age out of the youth shelters. If you do not have a sponsor lined up, you risk being transferred to an adult detention center.

The Legal Deadlines

Turning 18 triggers massive deadlines, especially for your immigration status.

If you are applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), the family court may lose the power to help you on your 18th birthday. If your lawyer doesn't get the judge's signature before you blow out your candles, the door closes permanently.

Do Not Wait

You should start planning your transition when you are 16 or 17. The month of your 18th birthday is too late.

Words to say

I want to create my formal transition plan for when I turn 18. Do I qualify for Extended Foster Care, and what are the exact deadlines for my legal status?

Disclaimer: This post provides factual information about aging out of care systems in the United States. Rules vary drastically by state and immigration status. Always speak with a qualified attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be kicked out of my shelter on my 18th birthday?

Youth shelters typically transfer you to their young adult Transitional Living Program (TLP) rather than evicting you, but this requires advance planning with your caseworker.

Can I leave foster care at 17 and come back later?

Running away before 18 makes it incredibly difficult to access Extended Foster Care benefits (like free housing and tuition). It is highly recommended to stay in the system to secure these benefits.

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