Think of Us

State Applications HAVE CLOSED!!

THANK YOU! Together, Check for Us connected over 30K young people with lived experience in foster care to 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Check For Us is a resource hub for young people with experience in the foster care system.

To sign up, you will be asked questions to help us understand your eligibility based on local guidelines.

First, we need you to confirm two things:
Please read and check all boxes to proceed.

I understand that when I sign up to join the Check For Us network, my information will be shared with state governments to verify my eligibility for pandemic relief.
I understand that not everyone is eligible for funds. If eligible, Check For Us will notify me how I can receive available funds. Most states are providing between $500 - $2,000. - see the details of what is available at: https://www.checkforus.org/eligibility.

Great! Ready to answer some questions and join the network?

Yes, I'm ready!

Step 1 of 9

First, tell us about your lived experience with the foster care system.

Choose as many as apply to you:

I’m currently in Foster Care

I’m currently in Extended Foster Care

I’m currently in a Group Home

I’m not currently in care, but I was in the past

I was reunified with my birth parents

I was adopted

I am under guardianship

I am living with kin / family

I was never in Foster Care

Step 2 of 9

Return to previous step

Thanks. Let’s get introduced.

We use your legal name to match you to state specific records. But when we're sending you reminders and other info, we want to use the name or nickname you prefer.

* indicates a required field

* The name on my state issued ID is:

But you should call me:

Is the name on your ID the same name you used while in the foster care system?

Yes, the name on my ID is the same name used by the foster care system.

No, the name on my ID is not the same name used by the foster care system.

Please tell us the first and last name you used while in the foster care system.

Step 3 of 9

Return to previous step

Next, we’ve got a few clarifying questions about your time in foster care. Next, we’ve got a few clarifying questions about your time in foster care, .

We collect this basic information to successfully match you to opportunities for funding.

* indicates a required field

* Please share the first state you lived in while in foster care.

* Please share the first county in which your case was opened in foster care; if you don't remember, please select "I don't remember." Entering the accurate information here will speed up the verification of your application and get you assistance more quickly.

I don't remember

* Please share the first zip code you lived in while in foster care or select "I don't remember." This makes it easier to verify your information but you're not disqualified if you don't know!

I don't remember

Step 4 of 9

Return to previous step

Thanks. Next, tell us a little bit about where you are now and how to reach you.

We collect this basic information to successfully match you to opportunities for funding.

* indicates a required field

* What is your email address?

My phone number is:

* What is your birthday?

* The state I live in:

The zip code I live in:

My street address is:

Step 5 of 9

Return to previous step

Please tell us a little more about the areas you need assistance.

This will help us understand the various needs of people in the Check For Us network.

Which of the following apply to you:
Check all that apply to you.

Step 6 of 9

Return to previous step

Next, we’ve got a few questions about how you identify.

We care about the many ways people in the Check For Us community identify. This helps us ensure our programming is inclusive of everyone. Your responses will not affect whether you receive pandemic relief.

We collect this basic information to successfully match you to opportunities for funding.

* indicates a required field

* How do you identify?
Choose as many as you like. Your selections will not be shared with the state, and will not impact your eligibility for funding.

Alaska Native

American Indian

Asian American

Black or African American

Hispanic or Latinx

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

Multiracial / Two or more races

I’d rather not say

* Which of the following best describe(s) you?
Choose as many as you like. Your selections will not be shared with the state, and will not impact your eligibility for funding.

Female

Male

Gender Queer

Gender Non-Conforming

Gender Non-Binary

Two-Spirit

I’d rather not say

* Which of the following most accurately describe(s) you?
Choose as many as you like. Your selections will not be shared with the state, and will not impact your eligibility for funding.

Step 7 of 9

Return to previous step

Finally, we’ve got a few more questions for you.

We care about your unique lived experience. Tell us which of the following describe your current state. Your responses will not affect whether you receive pandemic relief.

Which of the following apply to you:
Check all that apply to you. Your selections will not impact your eligibility for funding.

Step 8 of 9

Return to previous step

Okay we’re just about done.

Before we wrap up, how should we get in touch with you about stimulus funds, opportunities, and other resources?

Check all that apply to you.

Text
By checking you agree to Think of Us SMS Policy

Social Media

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Snapchat

**California's application closed on September 3rd. By signing up at Check for Us, you will be added to the official waitlist and will be notified if there is an extension or additional funds made available.**

By submitting I agree to the Think Of Us Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.

Step 9 of 9

Return to previous step

All done!

We may share the following information with the state(s) you lived in. Is this okay?

Your legal first name
Your legal last name
Any legal names used previously
Your current address
Your date of birth
Your provide phone number
Your provided email address

Yes, it is okay to share this information.

By submitting I agree to the Think Of Us Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.

Step 9 of 9

Return to previous step

Thank you! Welcome to the network.

Your request for pandemic relief funds was successfully submitted.

We’ve checked for you, and found your next steps to potentially get your pandemic relief. Keep up your momentum;
Find your state below, and follow the link to complete the next step:

Alabama - you’ll need your: contact info, and the dates you entered and exited care
Arizona - you’ll need your: contact info, social security number, what you need help with, and how much you need to cover that need
California - you’ll need your: social security number if you are 21 through 26, and the contact info for your caseworker if you are 18 through 20. You must do this step also.
Illinois - contact your caseworker, call the youth hotline at 866-459-6884 or email dcfs.advocacy@illinois.gov and someone should get back to you within two days.
Indiana - Call the Indiana Chafee Pandemic Service hotline at 1-800-800-5556. You will be asked to provide your name, address, and phone number. In your email you can say, “My name is (Insert Full name and DOB) and I’m looking to apply for the pandemic relief funds. I can be reached at (insert telephone number).
Iowa - have your social security number ready when you apply
Kansas - scroll to the bottom of the page to see the application. It is very easy to miss. Have your State Photo ID, Social Security Card, or Certified Birth Certificate ready when you apply
Kentucky - you’ll need to share a little info about you and what you need
Michigan - depending on if you have an open case, a closed case, or have only been supervised by a tribal court, you’ll have different next steps
Minnesota - create a Paypal account before filling out the application form linked
Mississippi - you’ll need to share a little info about you, and what you need
New York - you have to submit additional info about your needs and please make sure you’re using a Chrome browser as you fill this out
North Dakota - download and fill out the word document application linked on this page under “WHAT youth should do”
Oklahoma - Contact the Oklahoma Successful Adulthood Program via email: oksa@ou.edu or phone 1-800-397-2945
Oregon - you’ll need to share a breakdown of how you’ll use the pandemic relief funding
South Carolina - fill out this very simple form, which shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes!
Tennessee - you’ll have to share a little info about your time in foster care. Deadline is July 31st.
Washington - a very simple application is needed.
Virginia - fill out this very simple form, which should not take more than a couple minutes!