Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

Updated September 2025

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).