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NY A08036
Bill
Status
4/22/2025
Primary Sponsor
Andrew Hevesi
Click for details
AI Summary
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Requires local social services commissioners to screen all foster children for eligibility for federal benefits (Social Security, SSI, veterans' benefits) within 60 days of entering foster care, with annual rescreening thereafter
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Mandates that commissioners identify an appropriate representative payee for eligible children in consultation with the child, family, and attorney, and only serve as payee themselves when no other preferred payee is available
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Prohibits commissioners serving as representative payees from using a child's federal benefits to reimburse the district for foster care costs, including administrative expenses
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Requires commissioners acting as payees to use benefits for the child's unmet needs (disability aids, tuition, vehicles, work tools), deposit excess funds in special needs trusts or ABLE accounts to preserve benefit eligibility, and provide annual accountings to the child and their attorney
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Mandates at least 5 hours of annual financial literacy training for foster children age 14 and older and for family members who will serve as representative payees
Legislative Description
Requires commissioners of local social services districts to screen, apply for, and use and conserve retirement, survivors and disability insurance, supplemental security income, veterans' or any other federal social security benefits on behalf of children placed in foster care; provides for responsibilities of local commissioners of social services appointed to serve as the representative payee for a child; provides for technical assistance and financial literacy for foster children; makes related provisions.
Last Action
referred to social services
1/7/2026