Bill > S3153

This bill prohibits the Department of Children and Families (DCF) from using federal benefits, such as Social Security or Veterans Administration benefits, received by a child in out-of-home placement to pay for the child's care, with specific exceptions designed to maintain the child's eligibility for federal programs like the Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) and avoid violating federal asset limits. The DCF must now actively monitor these federal asset or resource limits, establish qualified ABLE accounts or similar trusts for eligible children to ensure their best interests are served and benefits are conserved without jeopardizing eligibility, and apply for any federal benefits a child may be eligible for after notifying relevant parties. Furthermore, the DCF must provide an annual accounting of how these benefits are used or conserved to the child, their parent or guardian, legal counsel, and the court. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Children and Families to seek federal waivers if necessary to implement these changes and ensure continued federal funding for child welfare services, even if it means foregoing certain federal maintenance payments for children eligible for SSI.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3153