HI HR46

Request the Department of Human Services to immediately cease intercepting Social Security payments for children in foster care in Hawaii.

Direct the Department of Human Services to deposit Social Security payments for foster children into savings accounts accessible when children return to families, are adopted, or age out of foster care.

Hawaii collected approximately $1,500,000 from Social Security payments of thirty-seven foster children between 2018 and 2022, with about ten percent of U.S. foster youth entitled to such benefits.

Hawaii is among forty-nine states currently intercepting foster children's Social Security payments without the children's knowledge, limiting their financial independence and educational opportunities.

Transmit certified copies of this resolution to the Governor and Director of Human Services.