Assistance with car insurance costs has the primary purpose of supporting a safe and legal driving plan for youth seeking and/or participating in education and employment activities leading to a successful transition. Former foster youth interested in assistance with car insurance costs initiate the process for payment by contacting a Transition Coordinator. The criteria for receiving the benefit are below:

• Youth must be an emancipated youth AND ages 18 up to 21 years
  
• The following documentation is required:
  
  • Verification of employment or school attendance
    
  • A valid California Driver's License
    
  • A completed Assigned Risk application or an equivalent statement of coverage that outlines the coverage amounts (Note: Any request specifying an agent's commission should not be funded. Policies vary regarding how they state the various types of coverage. Coordinators should consult her/his manager if questions arise.)
    
  • An invoice for payment that specifies the time period for which the youth is to be covered (three months, six months or one year) (Note: initial payment can be up to one year)
    
  • A Department of Motor Vehicle printout of the youth's driving record. [Note: If the youth has a major violation on his/her record (e.g. hit and run, driving under the influence, reckless driving, etc.) or, the license is suspended and the suspension has not been resolved, automobile insurance payment assistance will not occur.]
    
  • Copy of the car registration of insured vehicle

  The maximum amount of assistance that will be provided is $2,000 per year. California drivers must have enough insurance that meets the legal minimum requirement (liability and uninsured motorists amounts of $15,000/person and $30,000/accident and $5,000 for damages) and the Youth Development Services will pay this for the youth. Youth can be REIMBURSED for car insurance costs but for only the last six months AND the youth must be insured at the time of the request.
  
  The Program does not fund for insurance beyond the legal minimum requirement nor is comprehensive coverage funded.  

Brought to you by the Los Angeles County
Youth Development Services Division and Independent Living Program (YDSD/ILP) L.A. COUNTY TRANSITION PARTNERSHIP

Thank you for visiting our Youth Development Program website.  Please continue to contact us with your comments and suggestions.  We need and welcome your participation to make this site a vibrant source of information for all youth transitioning from foster care in Los Angeles County.  If you have information to share on our site or experience a problem with the site (e.g. nonfunctioning link),  Please contact Jennifer Chuang via email at chuanj@dcfs.lacounty.gov

The Youth Development Program receives a set budget every year from state and federal government sources.  Resources are distributed according to need and not as an entitlement. Since the budget is limited, please note that the services and benefits described in this website are available to eligible transitioning youth 16 - up to their 21st birthday in Los Angeles County, on a needs-basis, until all funds are spent for the fiscal year (the fiscal year ends June 30th).  There are some services available for youth 14 - 15.  Some of the resources are listed for your information and ARE NOT to be considered an endorsement by Los Angeles County.