HI SCR188

Hawaii Department of Human Services collected $1,500,000 from Social Security payments for 37 children in foster care between 2018 and 2022, with approximately 10 percent of foster youth nationally entitled to these benefits.

Requests the Department of Human Services continue ceasing the practice of intercepting Social Security payments for children in foster care without their knowledge.

Directs the Department of Human Services to deposit Social Security payments into savings accounts that foster children can access when they return to families, are adopted, or age out of foster care.

Intercepting these payments limits foster children's financial independence and ability to pursue higher education after leaving the system.

Requires certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Director of Human Services.