E. How Long Can the Caregiver Receive Monthly Payments?

The monthly reimbursement payments are available for up to 12 months after placement of the child in the caregiver's home with a one-time, six-month extension for good cause. Tex. Fam. Code § 264.775(b-1) and 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 700.1007(d).

Examples of Circumstances that Justify Good Cause for Payments to Go Beyond 12 Months:

•   The identification, release, or location of a previously absent parent of the child;

•   Awaiting the expiration of the timeline for an appeal of an order in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship;

•   Allowing additional time for a kin caregiver to complete the approval process for verification or adoption of the child;

•   Waiting for approval of a child's placement from another state;

•   A delayed determination of the child's Indian Child status, or when awaiting the approval of the Indian Child's Tribe; or

•   Any other circumstance involving the child or caregiver that DFPS deems as justification for an extension. 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 700.1007(d).