The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has sent letters to 39 governors urging them to stop their states’ child welfare agencies from diverting Social Security survivor benefits intended for foster youth. These federal benefits, earned through a deceased parent’s lifetime contributions, are often intercepted by state agencies to reimburse their own costs rather than being directed toward the children.
ACF aims to collaborate with these states to ensure that survivor benefits support foster youth as they transition out of care, instead of being withheld by government agencies.
“At HHS, our guiding principle is simple: every child deserves a home and a fair chance to thrive. But when state agencies stack the deck against children, we step in,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “In the Trump Administration, we are committed to ensuring every child in America has the chance to reach their full potential.”
"Every earned benefit dollar belongs to these foster youth, not the government agencies or bureaucrats,” stated ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams. “Protecting children is the core mission of child welfare, and we will keep the best interests of the child front and center in all our efforts.”
Assistant Secretary Adams previously led reforms in Idaho as head of its Department of Health and Welfare by ending this diversion practice. Under his leadership, Idaho began requiring that survivor benefits be used for foster children's unmet needs while preserving any remaining funds for future use.
Scott Matlock, an NFL player who entered Idaho’s foster care system at thirteen after losing both parents, shared his experience before these reforms were implemented: he did not receive his parent's survivor benefits during his time in care.
“I commend President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Assistant Secretary Adams for taking decisive action to encourage states to protect children and ensure foster youth have a strong financial foundation,” said Scott Matlock. “My hope is the next kid coming through foster care gets every penny he or she deserves, no matter what state they live in.”
Currently only 11 states have policies preventing the interception of Social Security survivor benefits meant for foster youth. The ACF is working with the Social Security Administration to offer resources and technical assistance so that more states can adopt similar measures.
