Nearly All States Use Federal Benefits To Offset Cost Of Foster Care

During 2023, nearly all states applied to receive and manage federal benefits due to children in foster care and most used the proceeds to offset the cost of the child’s care, but 28 jurisdictions have taken or considered taking action to conserve the benefits for the child. Children in foster care who have a disability may be eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income, and if the child has lost one or both parents, may be eligible for survivor benefits through Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program and the Veterans Administration. Federal law requires state foster care agencies . . .