Millions of people across the United States get benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA helps seniors, people with disabilities, and people who are blind or have low vision. California recently made big changes in this area with the AB 2906 law, which is meant to protect foster kids and make sure they get the benefits that are meant for them.
The problem that AB 2906, a bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, tries to fix has been bothering thousands of foster kids in the state for a long time. In the past, California counties could take Social Security funds from foster youth without telling the youth or their lawyers.
What does the new legislation mean for Social Security?
Many of these young people did not get the benefits they were due to when they turned 18. This was because there was not enough transparency. This new law makes sure that any Social Security applications or benefits are shared with both foster youth and their legal guardians. This way, the money goes straight to the people who need it.
Access to survivor payments
Survivor payouts, which are given to children of parents who died and had paid into Social Security, are one of the most important parts of the new law.
The goal of these payments is to help kids and teens who have lost one or both parents financially. For foster youth, the government wants to make sure that these funds become useful for them by letting them get to the money when they turn 18.
These rewards have been held by counties for years. The new law aims to stop this practice.
Changes after the initial veto
Keep in mind that AB 2906 did not go through without some problems. Initialy, Governor Newsom vetoed the bill. One reason was that the first version called for foster youth to get retirement and survivor benefits going back to the previous year. But after pressure from a number of groups that work to help children and teens, Newsom finally signed off on an updated version of the bill, though with some changes.
Early in September, the counties of Los Angeles and San Diego said they supported the rule. This made it possible for it to be approved in its entirety. In the end, the governor signed the bill, which means that foster youth in the state will have more power over their money and be able to get it more easily.
Impact on foster youth
The Children’s Advocacy Institute of California says that there are between 40,000 and 80,000 foster kids in the state. About 29% of those between the ages of 19 and 21 have problems with being homeless. Having access to Social Security payments could make a big difference in how this turns out.
The national policy head at the Children’s Advocacy Institute, Amy Harfeld, said she was glad the bill was signed. “These funds that were previously being withheld could make the difference between a young person being homeless or being able to live on their own when they turn 18,” she said.
Harfeld thinks that California’s new law makes it one of the first states to do something to stop this harmful practice and help with the problem of homeless kids.