HR 1104 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To ensure that foster children are able to use their social security and supplemental security income benefits to address their needs and improve their lives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

February 15, 2007

Mr. STARK (for himself, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mrs. CAPPS, Ms. WOOLSEY, and Ms. DELAURO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To ensure that foster children are able to use their social security and supplemental security income benefits to address their needs and improve their lives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Foster Children Self-Support Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. BAN ON USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY OR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS PAID TO REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES ON BEHALF OF FOSTER CHILDREN FOR STATE COSTS.

(a) Amendments to Title II- Section 205(j)(9) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(j)(9)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting `(A)' after `(9)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B)(i) A representative payee shall not use any benefits paid to the representative payee pursuant to paragraph (1) to reimburse a State for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) foster care maintenance payments made pursuant to section 472, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) other payments made by a State or political subdivision of a State to cover maintenance expenses for an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) A fee charged in accordance with paragraph (4)(A)(i) or section 1631(a)(2)(D) shall not be considered a maintenance expense for purposes of clause (i) of this subparagraph.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Amendments to Title XVI- Section 1631(a)(2)(A)(iv) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(A)(iv)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting `(I)' after `(iv)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding `and' at the end; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding after and below the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) A representative payee of an individual or eligible spouse shall not use any benefits paid to the representative payee pursuant to clause (ii) of this subparagraph to reimburse a State for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(aa) foster care maintenance payments made pursuant to section 472; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(bb) other payments made by a State or political subdivision of a State to cover maintenance expenses for an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of the State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) A fee charged in accordance with subparagraph (D) of this paragraph or section 205(j)(4)(A)(i) shall not be considered a maintenance expense for purposes of subclause (II) of this clause.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. SCREENING OF FOSTER CHILDREN FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS.

(a) State Plan Requirement- Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (26);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (27) and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(28) provides that, not later than the beginning of the 1st calendar quarter that begins after the 3-year period that begins with the date of the encatment of this paragraph, the State agency referred to in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) develop and implement procedures to ensure that, within 60 days after the status of a child who is in foster care under the responsibility of the State is first reviewed pursuant to section 475(5)(B), the child is screened to determine the potential eligibility of the child for benefits under title II and for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) if the screening results in a determination that the child is potentially eligible for any of such benefits--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) provide the child with assistance in applying for, and (if necessary) appealing any decisions made with respect to, the benefits; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) if there is no other suitable candidate available, apply to become the representative payee for the child with respect to the benefits.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) GAO Study-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Within 6 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine whether the States have substantially complied with the amendments made by this section, including specifically whether the States have--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) established successful procedures that screen all foster children under the responsibility of the States for their potential eligibility for benefits under title II of the Social Security Act and for supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of such Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) provided all such potentially eligible foster children assistance in applying for, and appealing decisions made with respect to, the benefits; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) implemented procedures to identify suitable nongovernmental candidates to serve as representative payees for children in foster care with respect to the benefits.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REPORT TO THE CONGRESS- Within 1 year after completing the study required by paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress a written report that contains the results of the study.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. NOTICE TO ATTORNEY OR GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR FOSTER CHILD OF DETERMINATION TO PAY SOCIAL SECURITY OR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS TO REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE.

(a) Amendment to Title II- Section 205(j)(2)(E)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(j)(2)(E)(ii)) is amended by inserting `, except that, in the case of an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of a State, such notice shall also be provided to the attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to represent the individual pursuant to section 106(b)(2)(A)(xiii) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act' before the period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Amendment to Title XVI- Section 1631(a)(2)(B)(xii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(B)(xii) is amended by inserting `, except that, in the case of an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of a State, such notice shall also be provided to the attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to represent the individual pursuant to section 106(b)(2)(A)(xiii) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act' before the period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS FOR FOSTER CHILDREN.

(a) Plan for Achieving Self-Support- Section 471(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 671(a)), as amended by section 3(a) of this Act, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (27);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (28) and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(29) provides that, with respect to each child in foster care under the responsibility of the State who is a recipient of benefits under title II or supplemental security income benefits under title XVI, the State agency shall develop a plan, developed specifically for the child, which is designed to best meet the current and future needs of the individual and enable the child to achieve self-support after leaving foster care, in accordance with the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A)(i) The plan shall set forth a strategy to conserve benefits not necessary for the immediate needs of the child, determined as provided for pursuant to clause (ii) of this subparagraph, in a manner that best meets the future needs and educational and employment interests of the child.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) The plan shall provide for a determination as to whether the child has immediate needs for which the benefits should be used consistent with sections 205(j)(10)(B) and1631(a)(2)(A)(iv)(II).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) The plan shall provide that, if the child ceases to be under the responsibility of the State, any assets set aside under the plan shall be conserved and inaccessible to the child, except for a use of funds described in item (aa) through (gg) of section 1631(a)(2)(F)(ii)(II) of this Act, or for another use approved by the Secretary as being in the best interests of the child, until the child attains 18 years of age at which time any assets subject to the plan shall be distributed to the child.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) The State agency shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) develop and implement the plan in collaboration with the child (on an age-appropriate basis), the social worker for the child, the person acting as the representative payee for the child pursuant to section 205(j) or 1631(a)(2) of this Act, and the attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to represent the child pursuant to section 106(b)(2)(A)(xiii) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) in developing and implementing the plan, make reasonable efforts to seek input from the parents and caretakers of the child.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C)(i) Within 60 days after the status of the child is first reviewed pursuant to section 475(5)(B), the State agency shall complete the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) The State agency shall ensure that each subsequent such review of such status shall include consideration of an updated version of the plan and a report on the progress made in implementing the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D)(i) Not later than 30 days before the status of the child is first reviewed pursuant to section 475(5)(B) of this Act after completion of the plan, the State agency shall provide a copy of the plan to the attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to represent the child pursuant to section 106(b)(2)(A)(xiii) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) Not later than 30 days before each subsequent such review, the State agency shall provide an updated copy of the plan to the attorney or guardian ad litem so appointed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E)(i) The child may request the plan to be modified in a review of the status of the child pursuant to section 475(5)(B), in a separate hearing, or in a permanency hearing pursuant to section 475(5)(C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) The plan shall not be treated, in any administrative or judicial review proceeding, as meeting the requirements of this paragraph with respect to a child unless the plan is determined by the reviewer to be the best available means of meeting the current and future needs and educational and employment interests of the child.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Provisions Relating to Representative Payees-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) AMENDMENTS TO TITLE II- Section 205(j) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 405(j)) (as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act) is amended further--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) as paragraphs (9), (10), and (11), repectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(8) A representative payee shall manage the benefits paid to the representative payee under paragraph (1) on behalf of an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of a State, in accordance with the plan developed for the child pursuant to section 471(a)(26).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AMENDMENT TO TITLE XVI- Section 1631(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(J) A representative payee shall manage the benefits paid to the representative payee under subparagraph (A)(ii) of this paragraph on behalf of an individual who is in foster care under the responsibility of a State, in accordance with the plan developed for the child pursuant to section 471(a)(26).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Exclusion From Resources Under the SSI Program- Section 1613(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382b(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (14);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (15) and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(16) any assets managed on behalf of an eligible individual in accordance with a plan developed for the individual pursuant to section 471(a)(26).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE FURNISHED IN CASH OR IN KIND DISREGARDED IN DETERMINING INCOME OF FOSTER CHILDREN UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM.

Section 1612(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382a(a)(2)(A)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' at the end of clause (ii); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting `, and (iv) clause (i) shall not apply in the case of a child who is in foster care under the responsibility of a State' before the last seimcolon.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATES.

(a) In General- Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the amendments made by this Act (other than by section 3(a)) shall apply to benefits payable for months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) State Plan Requirements Relating to Plans for Achieving Self-Support-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The amendments made by section 5(a) of this Act shall take effect on the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply to payments under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters beginning after such 1st day.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DELAY PERMITTED IF STATE LEGISLATION REQUIRED- If the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) is required in order for a State plan approved under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by section 5(a) of this Act, the plan shall not be regarded as failing to meet any of the additional requirements before the 1st day of the 1st calendar quarter beginning after the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. If the State has a 2-year legislative session, each year of the session is deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink