A Joint Commitment and a Call to Support Children in Foster Care
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 1, 2024
Today, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a call for public input on ways to improve outcomes of foster children who are eligible for – or already receive – Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both. Our goal is to make sure that all children, especially foster youth, receive the benefits for which they are eligible.
All of us at Social Security and HHS know that fulfilling our missions means doing everything we can to better serve the most underserved and vulnerable populations in our country. In particular, we can and must do a better job of serving the 370,000 children in the foster care system, who experience disproportionate levels of hardship, transitions, and uncertainties.
Social Security and HHS serve children in foster care in different ways. As you may know, HHS’s Children’s Bureau oversees child welfare agencies throughout the country. At the same time, Social Security makes monthly payments to about 27,000 children in foster care each month, providing critical support after the death of a child’s parent or because of the child’s significant disability.
The Social Security and SSI programs are important to children and their families. These payments provide basic economic security and improve quality of life for foster children at critical moments in their lives, like when they reunified with their families, are placed with new caregivers, or leave foster care due to age. Youth “aging out” of foster care experience higher rates of homelessness, early parenthood, and substance abuse, studies show.
If you or someone you know has lived experience in the child welfare system, or an interest in improving the lives of children in foster care, we want to hear from you. We’re seeking input from people with insights to share about how Social Security and HHS might work together to better improve outcomes for children in foster care.
We’re interested in hearing comments and suggestions from:
- Current and former foster youth
- Current and former foster parents, adoptive parents, kinship caregivers, and parents whose children were referred to child welfare
- State, local, and tribal agencies
- Advocates
- Researchers
We’ll use information we gather through this Request for Information, due by December 2, 2024, in considering potential policy changes. For details and instructions, see Docket No. SSA-2024-0038 at www.regulations.gov
To learn more about Social Security and SSI for foster children, read Social Security’s blog and the Spotlight On SSI Benefits For Disabled Or Blind Youth In Foster Care. For general information about benefits and eligibility, visit www.ssa.gov/benefits.
Please share this information with others who have experience in the child welfare system, an interest in improving the lives of children in foster care, or both.
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Tags: equity, Social Security benefits, supplemental security income, survivors benefits
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Di H.
Whatever you do, please make sure that foster children are included in this process to improve the system. They must be at the table for these discussions. Also, there must be an education and psycho-social coaching component for children. I don’t believe most foster caregivers are equipped or interested in supporting the child’s transition to independent adulthood. This education should be ongoing from at least 14 years old. Help them build an actual written plan so that they know what to do and perhaps make better choices.
P.S. Include opportunity to save their own money with education on budget money management. Again start this when they are young.
Nikea V.
The laws when it comes to “our children, our future!” Are NOT followed by the DHHR of WEST VIRGINIA! As soon as my husband passed away my children all of a sudden became of interest to a family member, why?! Because they came with a check now due to my husband passing away!!! (family members exact words) The same family member didn’t try to obtain my brothers kids the year prior when they were ripped away and forced into the system! Why?? Why when they were the same blood as my children?! A few reasons, the number one reason being the paycheck, number two, my two oldest were pretty much raised at this point and said family was in need of an easy paycheck, number 3, apparently my brother’s kids were not as “close” to their hearts. Said family member began making false accusations to DHHR and to my youngest sons father. Accusations were never proven. I have yet to be charged with the neglect they took my children for! I was never given an opportunity to fight for them. DHHR had their minds made up before they even filed their case. West Virginia is number two in the United States for parents rights being terminated! Why?! Because they refuse to follow the laws that they have created in their own handbooks. They lie and manipulate every corner of the process down to the judges in order to push our children into foster care… then they blame the opioid epidemic. Numbers don’t lie and numbers show that someone is dropping the ball. My kids were taken kicking and screaming, we are not abused please don’t take us!!! Within two weeks of them taking my kids, they also terminated my survivor benefits, because guess what I wasn’t raising my husband’s children now?! How could I pay a lawyer now?! How could I finish the six bedroom home i just put 20,000 into?! How could I afford insurance on my truck to drive three hours every weekend for a visit? My kids were at visits with clothes too small and inadequately taken care of in foster care?! Why, where did their money go?! Money is the least of the devastation that has been done now!!! Generational curses are a real thing and this will echo for an eternity and thru my bloodline. My oldest is two and half years away from legally being 18 and guess where she wants to be when she is 18, back at home with her mother and going to college! I truly hope we as a united States pick up the pieces so far no change from our senator besides giving dhhr more money… no programs for the kids or the parents!!
Mary S.
As a child who was adopted at 8 weeks old. I have always felt sorry and heart sick for children who were not given this opportunity. Weather it is families who refuse to give up their child as a family member but yet put them in the foster system. I get that the biological parents do not want to let go of their child(ren) but there needs to be something that allows foster children a permanant family that will be with them in lifes steps.
Also these children need to stay in the system until 26. We have enabled regular families to carry their children that long on their health insurance. These foater children need the right, since they are of age at 18 to say, “I would like to stay in the system longer, then to be set out on their own.” The world is too crazy and expensive for an 18 yr old to be on their own.
Also there needs to be a way that these foster children can get their money. Not used by the family who is raising them. After all, it is their money! I know a family who used every penny to use on these children. But when they came of age had zero in money. That is insane! I get that raising children is extremely expensive, but at what point do we send children (age 18) into the world with no finances and expect them not to live on the streets or worse.
There has to be a better way!
Bran
Yes, abortion is the tool for an unwanted child or unqualfied to be parents group.
It is preferable to abort them than condemning the poor child to a world of suffering, lack of parental love, and abusive foster parents. No amount of money will take the place of a true loving, caring parents.
Di H.
You are correct Mary S. There should also be mandatory information provided to the child so that they are aware of available benefits with a viable transition plan after foster care.
Kenesha A.
No kid would go left behind if DHS/OHS follow their own rules and regulations and policies! And especially Social Security. Making sure they are checking who is filing for these children and keeping up-to-date with the children’s payments and etc..
Lamar L.
Maybe there is also a way to connect Foster care children (even those who age out of the foster care system) with senior citizen homes for visitation with Seniors who don’t have family that visits…. things like that
Robert j.
Get rid of Dept of children services cause that’s where most of your problems are. People who work 9- 4.30 don’t care about what the children need. We fostered for close to 30 years and they dismissed us and blamed us for something they did, and the committee in Nashville wouldn’t hear our side of the truth.
Kenesha A.
I agree if they followed they LAW! No child would go without.
Terry L.
That is not true and children need some one that has their best interest at heart i know 4 children in foster care who really need to be there. Their home life was so bad that they told their grandmother that they did not want to go back home. Even the grandmother is smoking crack . I have no voice box but I wish i could tell someone every thing I know
Karen H.
According to research, approximately 50% of youth involved in the juvenile justice system have at some point been involved with the child welfare system, meaning they likely spent time in foster care; with studies indicating that over half of foster children experience an arrest or detention by the age of 17.
Key points about the connection between foster care and the juvenile justice system:
High prevalence:
Studies suggest a significant overlap between the foster care system and the juvenile justice system, with a large portion of youth in the justice system having a history in foster care.
“Foster care to prison pipeline”:
This term describes the trend where youth who experience instability in foster care are more likely to become involved in the criminal justice system later in life.
Factors contributing to the connection:
Instability in placements, lack of support systems, exposure to trauma, and limited access to resources within the foster care system can contribute to increased risk of juvenile justice involvement.
(Recent data pulled from AI –
Thanks for investing in our future
Karen Heffernan FNP MSN MPH RDe
SHARON
As a adoptive parent, I disagree for anyone no matter if they work within the foster care system to adopt more children than a single parent can handle or a 2 family parent home. It is sad to give a giant amount of children to anyone when no love can meet each individual child that is truly needed. There should be some type of limit. It only causes types of abuse to those children that are hidden. People use those children to get their homes fixed or expanded or financial gains in other ways. Instead let a smaller amount of children be adopted unless it is all one family not to be separated. Spend the money to invest in those kids adopted to have a better home life and scholarships for colleges. And those within the Foster system to find a better parenting system that are closely monitored too. Most harm comes because they have been over worked and overwhelmed by too much stress. There should be a number to call if they need help in emergency situations such as rides, babysitting or other resources. And if you see a child without a jacket during cold weather no one should be saying it’s to make them get used to the cold! This was told at a function where a lot of foster families and adoption families got together. Then they stopped those functions. I worried about what was happening then to that child or other kids in the system. All kids should have sweaters, jackets, and long pants, socks always at the least. A better system must be found too many children are forced out by age and left with nothing. Or adopted out in huge ways. Our children did not ask to be born, nor to suffer thru their life because they were. Then children who have mental disabilities for life being dropped from their medical help. I know because it was told to me my child would be that way 4ever. Then due to reaching 18 of age they dropped the medical that supported mental health, now it restarted but only till age 21. That time is out this year. As over aged parents we don’t have the income to help in the medical situation needed thruout my child’s lifetime. So sad for these children to be left without their needs. I assume it will be harder to be adopted these days. I can only pray 🙏 that someone steps up for all foster and adopted children born from drug users or other means of birth parents, so they can all receive the help they need. Then maybe there will not be so many homeless mental patients on our streets in this country, let alone our children too.
Eugenia
Hello I would actually like information on adopting a foster child. If you could please help me with this I’d appreciate it.
Thanks
Have a blessed weekend
Robert j.
Go thru a different agency like Camelot cares. You’ll still have DCS but mostly the other group who you would deal with. We fostered and adopted for close to 30 years and when they screwed up, they blamed us, and the child that died wasn’t even with us then. Be prepared.
Carla
I just want to know how on one hand statistics say 27,000 children are in foster Care( is that in the state of Washington only?)when I just copied this
National Foster Care Month (NFCM) in May is an important opportunity to spread the word about the needs of the more than 391,000 children and young people in foster care. And only 64,000 are waiting for adoption. The rest are in the system based on “Allegations” pending an investigation, which is supposedly to be completed within a certain amount of days, however, I know first hand they (cps) does what nevertheless he’ll they want to do even past 5yrs????? Why take away from us seniors who worked for a living? And what about paying $1500. – $3000 for any child born to a parent (men),(cause I don’t know of any woman having babies over 62) every month til they are 18. Why should us on SSA being paying for these men?