social security

Ian Marx urges Washington to take action on the national level to protect benefits that belong to youth in foster care.

  Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and several Democrat co-sponsors have added to the legislation piling up this session to help grandparents and other relatives caring for the children of loved ones.

Note: This is part three of a three-part look by columnists and former foster youth Waln Brown and John Seita about the darker side of foster care in America. Click here to read Part One, and click here to read Part Two.

This report covers the issues and current laws that govern the use of Social Security Income benefits for children in foster care. Children whose parents have died may be eligible for SSI benefits, and many child welfare agencies permit the use of SSI benefits to cover foster care costs.