BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1633
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Date of Hearing: May 11, 2005
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Judy Chu, Chair
AB 1633 (Evans) - As Amended: April 20, 2005
Policy Committee: Human Services
Vote: 6-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS) to
convene a workgroup and develop best practice guidelines
regarding accessing the Social Security Income/State
Supplementary Program (SSI/SSP) on behalf of children in foster
care. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the workgroup to include the County Welfare Directors
Association, child welfare advocates, and former foster youth.
2)Requires guidelines to be established by December 31, 2006 and
to include:
a) Determining timing for disability screenings for
children in foster care.
b) Assisting children applying for benefits.
c) Aiding children in appealing adverse decisions.
d) Informing foster parents and guardians of the
availability of SSI/SSP benefits for youth leaving care.
e) Maximizing federal benefits.
3)Requires counties to set aside three months of SSI/SSP
benefits in a savings account prior to a foster youth leaving
care at age 18.
4)Clarifies current law to allow youth to remain in foster care
until their 19th birthday if they are enrolled in high school
or an equivalency program.
FISCAL EFFECT
AB 1633
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1)Unknown costs in the range of $100,000 for DSS to convene a
workgroup and publish best practice guidelines.
2)An unknown but significant on-going workload to county welfare
departments to aid children in applying for, receiving, and
tracking cash benefits. The application process can be time
consuming and many applications require additional appeals and
submission of information.
3)An unknown but significant on-going increase in SSI/SSP
benefits to the extent this bill adds new clients to this
program. Average benefits are more than $10,000 per client per
year in 2005. Therefore, even 100 additional foster children
receiving benefits would generate an addition $1 million in
costs. There are over 75,00 children in foster care statewide
and over 4,000 foster youth exit care each year at age 18.
4)Increased foster care costs to support the SSI/SSP savings
accounts required by this bill. Because youth cannot be
eligible for both SSI/SSP and federal foster care funding, the
costs of housing foster youth for the three months before they
leave care would fall to the state and the county. These costs
range from $2,500 to $20,000 for three months, depending on a
youth's placement.
5)Off-setting savings to the extent that SSI/SSP benefits
improve outcomes for current and former foster youth. Many
young adults who age out of the foster care system face
homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization. Having some
financial stability under the SSI/SSP program may help
stabilize many of these former foster youth while they
transition to adulthood.
COMMENTS
Rationale . This bill, sponsored by the National Center for Youth
Law, increases efforts to gain access to cash benefits on behalf
of eligible foster children. SSI/SSP provides cash assistance to
eligible aged, blind, and disabled persons. The average grant in
2005 is $842 monthly for an individual.
This bill encourages applications for SSI/SSP and requires
savings accounts for beneficiaries nearing emancipation. Many
foster youth face major barriers to healthy and stable living.
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However, foster youth nearing adulthood face some of the biggest
barriers. Although some foster youth receive benefits under
current law, many thousands are likely eligible due to mental
health or medical issues, or physical disabilities.
In addition, the bill clarifies current law to allow youth to
stay in care while completing a high school education. According
to sponsors, many jurisdictions already authorize extended stays
where others seek clarification.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081