CO HB1271

Summary of HB 25-1271: Federal Benefits for Youth in Foster Care

• County departments must screen foster youth with a deceased parent for federal survivor benefits (Social Security, Veterans, Railroad Retirement) within 90 days of assuming custody, beginning July 1, 2027

• Federal survivor benefits cannot be used to pay for foster care maintenance expenses or cost of care; funds must be deposited into individual or collective accounts and saved for the child

• County departments serving as representative payees must provide annual accounting to the child and their legal representative showing benefit amounts collected, account balances, and related assets

• Department of Human Services must adopt implementing rules by January 1, 2027, covering screening processes, application procedures, representative payee selection, and notice requirements

• Accumulated federal survivor benefits must be released to the child when they leave foster care, and case management services must include assistance with applying for and managing these benefits