Philadelphia—A $200 gift card is available to eligible current and former youth who were involved with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services. The benefit is a result of The Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act, signed into federal law on December 27, 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. It sets aside significant emergency relief for young people who were recently in the child welfare system, or are about to leave the child welfare system and must be used by September 30, 2021.

Through this legislation, the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) is able to provide Pandemic Relief Payments of $200 to:

  • Youth who were in foster care as a teen (14+) and are now 22-26 years old.
  • Parenting youth who were in foster care at age 14 or older and are 21 and under.
  • Parenting youth who are in foster care and are 14-21.

The funds aim to provide young people cash and services to cover basic needs like food, housing, and employment.

Kimberly Ali, DHS Commissioner said, “The pandemic was hard on all of us, but especially on young people who have been in the child welfare system. That’s why DHS is excited to provide these payments. They’re immediate and easy to access. All it takes is one quick survey!”

To find out if you are eligible, fill out the ‘Older Youth Pandemic Relief Payments’ survey.

A representative from Valley Youth House or Turning Points for Children will then contact you within 24 business hours to help you access the Pandemic Relief Payment and other critical resources. If you do not hear from a representative within two business days of completing the survey, please call 215-683-4DHS (4347).

For more information on the Pandemic Relief Payment, please read our blog.

###