A big part of taking advantage of an independent living program in California is first determining if you are eligible for the program. Too many people wind up missing out on potential aid because they aren’t sure if they qualify – and they don’t reach out to ask for help. Let’s take a moment to go over the basic qualifications for these programs so you can take a big step toward getting the aid you deserve.

Looking at ILP

First, let’s take a look at the basics of ILP. This is an independent living program in California that is open to foster youth who are at least 16 years old. While there is some support offered through the program, such as periodic check-ins with a social worker, the focus is on independence. The young person in the ILP will need to look for their own housing and has to pass a test to get into the program. While it’s certainly true that this program is better than having no access to assistance at all, it doesn’t always provide the level of support that young people in this situation need to land on their feet as adults.

Qualifying for Transitional Housing

Comparing transitional housing to ILP, it’s easy to see that the better independent living program in California is transitional housing. Although qualification for this program doesn’t begin until the age of 18 (THPP is available starting at 16 and requires a referral from a social worker), there are notable differences that allow it to provide much more help to the young person than what was discussed regarding ILP in the previous section. Here, there is assistance provided in finding housing, social worker support is available to help with things like finding a job or getting into college, and 24-hour emergency response is even on-call and available for a crisis. In all, transitional housing is a big step up and is a much more beneficial program for young people who are striving to make the most out of their opportunities while moving into adult life.

If you are eligible for the transitional housing program and interested in learning more, apply now. If you want to become a mentor for the young adults in the THP program, contact Children First Foster Family Agency.

Children First FFA is a private, non-profit organization in Northern California that is dedicated to helping change lives by providing a safe place for children to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency.