Governor Gavin Newsom of California recently signed a new law, AB 2906, which ensures that Social Security survivor benefits go to foster children who are meant to receive them.
This bill will protect the Social Security payments intended for foster children when they turn 18. It also requires that foster children and their guardians be informed when someone applies for these benefits.
What Does the New Law Do?
The law is important because it addresses an issue that has affected thousands of foster children in California. For years, Social Security payments that should have gone to foster kids were taken by the state.
These benefits were supposed to help them when they turned 18, but many ended up without any money to help them survive as they transitioned to adulthood.
Under this new law, foster children and their legal guardians will be notified when someone applies for Social Security benefits on their behalf. This is important because many foster children did not know that they were eligible for these payments, or the money was not given to them.
Why Is This Law Needed?
The need for this law is clear. There are between 40,000 and 80,000 foster children in California who are eligible for Social Security benefits. However, many of them end up homeless or in poverty when they reach 18.
According to the Children’s Advocacy Institute, around 29% of former foster youth between the ages of 19 and 21 were living on the streets in 2011.
For many of these young people, the Social Security payments that were meant for them could have helped them secure housing, food, and education.
But for years, California counties took these payments and kept them in state accounts, leaving the foster children without the money they were supposed to receive.
What Are the Benefits of This Law?
This law helps to address both the financial and homelessness problems faced by foster children.
When these young people are able to access their Social Security payments, they will have a better chance at a stable life. They could afford to go to school, find a permanent home, and meet their basic needs.
In addition, California is joining a growing list of states that are working to protect Social Security benefits for foster children.
Similar efforts are being made in states like Arizona, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. The goal is to ensure that foster children get the benefits they deserve to help them become successful adults.
What Happens Next?
With the signing of AB 2906 into law, California is taking a significant step in protecting foster children’s rights.
The law requires that the Social Security payments be handled in a way that puts the best interests of the child first.
By doing so, the state is ensuring that these young people are not left behind when they turn 18.
This law may inspire other states to take similar action to protect foster children’s benefits.
It also brings attention to the needs of an underserved group that has been largely overlooked in discussions about Social Security benefits.
Governor Newsom’s decision to sign AB 2906 into law is a step in the right direction for California’s foster children.
By ensuring that Social Security survivor benefits go to the foster kids who need them, the state is making sure that these young people have the opportunity to build a better future.
Other states should follow California’s example in protecting foster children’s rights to these important benefits.
What is AB 2906?
AB 2906 is a law signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom that ensures foster children receive Social Security survivor benefits that were previously taken by the state.
Why were Social Security payments taken from foster children?
Social Security payments meant for foster children were often taken by California counties and placed into state accounts instead of being given to the children.
How will this law help foster children?
The law will ensure that foster children and their guardians are informed when Social Security survivor benefits are available, helping them access the funds they need when they turn 18.
How many foster children are eligible for Social Security benefits in California?
Between 40,000 and 80,000 foster children in California are eligible for Social Security benefits.
What impact will this law have on homelessness among foster children?
By providing foster children with the Social Security benefits they are owed, the law aims to reduce homelessness and help them secure housing, education, and basic necessities.
