Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Welfare Benefit Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate Bill 283 cleared by committee to help children in CYFD custody access federal benefits
Summary
The committee gave Senate Bill 283 a do-pass recommendation after sponsors said the measure would require better handling and disclosure of Social Security and SSI benefits for children in the custody of the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD).
A senator told the House committee that Senate Bill 283 would require that children in the custody of the Children, Youth and Families Department who qualify for certain federal benefits actually receive and retain those benefits rather than having the department apply for and use them to reimburse care costs without clear disclosure.
The presenter said the bill would help children save benefits that come from Social Security (including survivor and disability payments) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and would require pre-release financial literacy and planning for children leaving custody. The presenter cited a 2018 figure showing New Mexico received nearly $8 million on behalf of children in state custody entitled to federal benefits and said about 11% of children in foster care received federal benefits that year.
Sarah Krekke was listed as the sponsor’s expert in committee. Public commenters on Zoom expressed support, including Marilyn Beck, Anne McKillivan (a child-welfare advocate from Albuquerque), and Nat Dean. After brief discussion, Representative Eleanor Chavez moved and Representative Anaya seconded a do-pass recommendation; the committee chair announced there was no opposition and the bill received a do-pass recommendation.
The measure would change how eligible federal benefits for children in state custody are handled and adds requirements for financial planning and disclosure; the bill seeks to ensure benefits are preserved for the child’s current or future use rather than being applied to reimburse CYFD without clear notice or planning.
