Senate committee hears testimony on bill to conserve Social Security benefits for foster youth

The Michigan Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services on an organizational meeting day heard testimony on Senate Bill 18, introduced by Chair Senator Erwin, a proposal to screen for eligibility, use funds for a child’s special needs while in care and conserve any remaining Social Security or other benefits for the child after discharge from care.

The bill matters because witnesses said conserved benefits can provide housing, education and stability when foster youth age out. Former foster youth and advocates testified the state’s current practice has, in some cases, resulted in benefits paid on a child’s behalf being retained by the state general fund rather than conserved for the child.

Justin Caschetta, a former foster youth who testified by Zoom, described losing funds he said had been paid on his behalf: "I unfortunately lost, dollars 18,000, in social security benefits," he said, describing how the loss forced him to fend for himself after aging out. Amy Harfeld, national policy director for the Children’s Advocacy Institute, urged the committee to advance the bill, saying the practice "commandeering the assets of our most vulnerable children is done…