Bill > HB661

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to properly manage federal benefits, such as Social Security payments, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and veterans benefits, for children in its care. The DHHS must identify eligible children within 60 days of them entering care and apply for benefits on their behalf if necessary. If a child already has a representative payee, the DHHS can only change it if the current payee is unsuitable. If the DHHS becomes the representative payee, it cannot use the child's benefits to cover the costs of their care but can use them for the child's unmet needs beyond what the department is obligated to provide. The DHHS must establish accounts to manage these benefits for the child's current and future needs, such as special needs trusts or ABLE accounts, and provide an annual accounting to the child and their representatives. The bill also mandates that the DHHS notify relevant parties about any decisions or appeals regarding a child's federal benefits and periodically review if someone else could better serve as the representative payee. Upon the termination of the department's responsibility for a child, any remaining funds must be released to the child or their guardian. The bill includes a $1 appropriation for the DHHS to manage these benefits and takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=380&inflect=2