Bill > S07778

This bill requires commissioners of local social services districts to take specific actions to help foster children access and manage federal benefits. These actions include screening children for potential eligibility for various federal benefits like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and veterans' benefits within 60 days of entering foster care, and rescreening annually. The commissioners must apply for these benefits on behalf of eligible children, notify the child and their legal representatives about benefit-related communications, and carefully select an appropriate representative payee. When serving as a representative payee, the commissioner must meet with the child to develop a financial plan, use benefits to meet the child's immediate unmet needs (such as disability aids or school tuition), monitor asset limitations, and deposit excess funds in special trust accounts. The bill also requires commissioners to provide financial literacy training for children 14 and older and their potential representative payees, help children transition to managing their own benefits, and ensure continuity of benefits when children are close to aging out of the foster care system. Importantly, commissioners are prohibited from using a child's benefits to reimburse the district for foster care costs, ensuring the funds are used solely for the child's benefit.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7778