Foster care payments.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Appropriations
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to improve support for foster youth by ensuring they receive proper consideration for federal Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, particularly Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It requires county agencies to actively screen foster youth for SSI eligibility, file appeals if denied, and manage benefits effectively, including establishing dedicated accounts to conserve funds. The bill also expands the role of county agencies as representative payees, ensuring foster youth receive benefits in accordance with federal guidelines and prioritizing their best interests.
Key provisions
- Requires counties to screen foster youth for SSI eligibility at least annually.
- Mandates county agencies to file reconsideration requests and appeals if SSI applications are denied.
- Expands county responsibilities as representative payees for foster youth receiving SSA benefits.
- Requires counties to establish dedicated accounts to conserve foster youth’s benefits.
- Allows for the use of a Plan to Achieve Self-Support and a 529A plan for benefit conservation.
- Requires county determinations regarding best interests to be made with input from a child and family team.
- Expands the requirement for counties to forego AFDC-FC benefits to allow for SSI payments during a single month.
- Makes technical and conforming changes to existing law.
Who is affected
- Foster youth
- County social services agencies
Bill text
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Sponsors
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1 on record
Primary sponsor
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