SB 40

Abstract

Department of Social Services; task force; application for and use of foster care benefits; report. Directs the Department of Social Services to establish a task force with relevant stakeholders to assess the feasibility of (i) requiring local departments of social services to apply for benefits administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of children in foster care, (ii) prohibiting the use of federal benefits to pay for the care and support of children in foster care that the Commonwealth is otherwise obligated to pay for, and (iii) requiring local departments of social services that are representative payees for children in foster care to conserve such federal benefits in an appropriate trust instrument or protected account that is exempt from federal asset and resource limits. The bill requires the Department of Social Services to report its findings to the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and Rehabilitation and Social Services and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and Health and Human Services by November 1, 2024.

State Board of Social Services; regulations;application for and use of foster care benefits. Directs theState Board of Social Services to amend its regulations by January1, 2025, to (i) require local departments of social services to applyfor federal benefits on behalf of children in foster care that theymay be eligible for, (ii) prohibit the use of federal benefits topay for the care and support of children in foster care that theCommonwealth is otherwise obligated to pay for, and (iii) requirelocal departments of social services that are representative payeesfor children in foster care to conserve such federal benefits in an appropriate trust instrument or protected account that is exemptfrom federal asset and resource limits.