<p>The monthly payment is the foster care payment. If you go ahead and adopt, in the year you **finalize **a special-needs-foster child adoption you are eligible for up to a $12,150 (for 2009) Adoption Tax Credit. “Special needs” includes many situations, including older chilren, so a middle-school age foster child would qualify. The credit can be carried over multiple years. [NACAC</a> | Post-Adoption Support](<a href=“http://www.nacac.org/postadopt/taxcredit.html]NACAC”>http://www.nacac.org/postadopt/taxcredit.html) You would also possibly be eligible for Federal Title IV-E post-adoption payments that would continue after the adoption was finalized. [Adoption</a> Assistance for Children Adopted From Foster Care: A Factsheet for Families](<a href=“http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_subsid.cfm]Adoption”>http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_subsid.cfm)</p>