While a child is in your home, you will receive a monthly board payment, a clothing allowance and health care coverage for the child. In addition, you may be eligible for a variety of supportive services including but not limited to:

• Childcare services while attending foster parent training or working
• Reimbursement for special transportation needs
• Infant care, car seats and/or bicycle helmets
• Flex funds to meet a child’s special needs (tutoring, camps, special activities, etc.)

Organizations such as embrella and their local county branches also can provide encouragement and assistance.

Click on the Helpful Links tab for more information and resources available. 

All of the children featured on our web site have special needs. Adoption subsidy benefits are available to help their adoptive parent by providing:

• A regular monthly payment including clothing allowance to help parents meet everyday needs.
• A one-time payment that covers the legal fees related to adoption.
• Medicaid coverage for the child to assist with any physical or psychological condition that is not covered by the family's own insurance.
• Children with handicaps may be able to receive special services for a specific medical, health or equipment need, which may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
• Out-of-state medical coverage (for most states).
• A Federal Tax Credit the year the adoption takes place.

Preschool child care services may be available for subsidy eligible children whose adoptions were finalized after January 1, 2005. Child care services are funded by the Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development (while funds are available), for adoptive parents who work or attend school full-time

Parents receive the full subsidy until the child turns 18 or until the child completes high school or other equivalent program, whichever is later. Such payments may not exceed the cost of providing comparable assistance in foster care. After the child turns 21, other state services may be available.

Download New Jersey's Subsidized Adoption Program brochure - English / Spanish  

The Children’s System of Care (CSOC) is New Jersey’s public behavioral health system. CSOC serves youth under age 21 with emotional and mental health care needs, substance use challenges, and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families.  CSOC provides community-based, culturally competent services and supports based on the needs of the youth and family. 

PerformCare, the Contracted Systems Administrator for the Children’s System of Care, is the single point of access to CSOC’s wide array of behavioral health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability services for youth and families throughout New Jersey.  
 
To learn more and to access services, call the PerformCare 24-hour, toll-free access line at 1-877-652-7624, or visit the PerformCare website. 

njdcfpaymentcenter.com  

Direct Deposit or Debit Card payment method allows you to receive your subsidy and board payments in a secure and reliable fashion. The choice is yours. You will receive an enrollment package that includes validation information to establish your access to www.njdcfpaymentcenter.com in order to view your payment information, a direct deposit enrollment form, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

These forms can also be found in English and Spanish by clicking the links below:

Forms in English:
Electronic Payment Flyer
FAQs - Direct Deposit and Mastercard  
Direct Deposit Authorization Form  

Forms in Spanish: 
Electronic Payment Flyer (Spanish Version)  
FAQs - Direct Deposit and Mastercard (Spanish Version)  
Direct Deposit Authorization Form (Spanish Version)  

If you do not submit the direct deposit enrollment form, you will automatically be mailed a debit card. To ensure the confidentiality of your subsidy and board payment information, an individualized sign-in procedure has been established. The use of a resource identification number (Resource ID) and password allows you to access your payment information.

• The Resource ID and temporary password are located in the enrollment package and are required to log on to the website, www.njdcfpaymentcenter.com.
• You will be prompted to change your temporary password the first time you log on to the website.
• Please keep your Resource ID and password secure and confidential.

Signing into the website or calling customer service is easy and will allow you to browse through your payment information.  Please visit www.njdcfpaymentcenter.com 24 hours a day/7 days a week or call DCF Customer Service at 1-844-830-6178, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.