For decades, states have taken foster children's federal benefits. That's starting to change
States have for decades been using foster children's federal Social Security benefits to help cover the costs of state services
By David A. Lieb
Published - May 18, 2024, 12:50 AM ET
Last Updated - May 27, 2024, 12:30 AM EDT
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — By the time Jesse Fernandez turned 18, the federal government had paid out thousands of dollars in Social Security survivor's benefits because of the death of his mother. But Jesse's bank account was empty.
The money had all been used by Missouri's foster care system or relatives responsible for his care.
“I was shocked,” said Jason White, a foster parent to Fernandez.
“Those dollars are a big deal," he continued. “Had they been saved, or a chunk of it saved, he’d have money for a car and a first-time apartment."
