Jefferson City, Missouri – The Missouri Senate made a significant move on Friday by passing a bill aimed at ending the state’s practice of seizing Social Security benefits from foster children. This legislation, sponsored by Republican state Representative Hannah Kelly and state Senator Holly Thompson Rehder, seeks to redirect these funds to address the specific needs of vulnerable youths in the foster care system.
Over the past five years, Missouri has withheld approximately $28.2 million in Social Security benefits that were intended for children with disabilities or who have lost their parents. The funds were previously used to reimburse the state for expenses related to its foster care agency. However, with the new bill in place, the focus will shift towards meeting the unmet needs of foster children, such as housing and support as they transition out of foster care.
The bill specifically prohibits the Children’s Division from utilizing a child’s Social Security or Veterans Administration benefits for routine foster care costs. Instead, these funds will now be allocated towards meeting additional needs that are not covered by the state, including educational expenses, housing, and transition support into adulthood. This change is expected to take effect on August 28th and will ensure that eligible children receive the benefits they are entitled to within 60 days of entering state custody.
This legislative action addresses longstanding concerns about the state withholding millions of dollars from foster children. Other states, including Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon, have implemented similar legislation over the past year. Critics argue that diverting these benefits to cover foster care expenses deprives children of resources meant for their well-being, while advocates suggest that the funds are utilized responsibly to provide immediate necessities like food and shelter, akin to parental support.
Missouri’s approach to protecting and prioritizing the financial security of foster children sets a precedent for states across the country. By safeguarding these funds for the future needs of children in the foster care system, legislators are taking concrete steps to ensure that vulnerable youths receive the support they require to thrive as they transition into adulthood. This bill marks a significant shift in policy that aims to better serve the interests of foster children across the state.