CA AB2906

Requires placing agencies serving as representative payees for federal Social Security Administration survivors' benefits to conserve those funds for the child's benefit rather than using them to offset care costs, effective January 1, 2025 or 30 days after the department issues guidance, whichever is later.

Mandates placing agencies to follow federal Social Security Administration guidelines when managing survivors' benefits, including maintaining dedicated accounts, monitoring asset limits to preserve benefit eligibility, and providing accountings to children age 12 and older upon request.

Requires placing agencies to notify children, their attorneys, and parents or guardians before applying for federal benefits, becoming representative payees, or taking actions regarding benefit applications.

Establishes procedures for transferring control of conserved funds to children, parents, guardians, or adoptive parents at least 30 days before the child exits foster care to permanency.

Repeals outdated provisions regarding a workgroup's recommendations on reserving foster children's Social Security and SSI/SSP benefits and clarifies screening and application procedures for foster youth potentially eligible for federal Social Security Administration benefits.