HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 – The PA House Children & Youth Committee held an informational meeting today to discuss legislation (H.B. 2617) recently introduced by state Reps. Rick Krajewski and Sheryl Delozier.

By requiring counties to screen for and conserve foster youth benefits in a savings account for when a foster youth exits care, the bill would ensure that foster youths receive the public benefits to which they are legally entitled, such as Social Security, disability and veterans’ benefits.

Under existing state regulations, and despite efforts for reform in Philadelphia, county foster care agencies regularly intercept and spend tens of thousands in benefits intended for foster youth.

“Orphaned and disabled foster youth are some of the most vulnerable children in the state and have extremely limited resources. Just like other foster youth, children who receive public benefits should not be charged for their own care,” said Krajewski. “This legislation will give our counties the go-ahead they need to fully advocate for the youth in their care and provide many children life-altering financial support when they age out of the system.”

“The children in the foster care system deserve for their government to do everything they can to help them,” said Delozier. “The testimony we heard at our informational meeting will help us craft a bill to make sure the youth in our foster system get the benefits they’re entitled to.”

Legislatures across the country have passed similar bipartisan legislation, including most recently in California. Foster youth make up some of the most vulnerable children in Pennsylvania and nationwide and are at high risk for experiencing homelessness, teen pregnancies and gun violence.

The committee listened to testimony from panelists, including Amy Harfeld, national policy director of the Child Advocacy Institute; Laurie Ayler, social work supervisor for the Support Center for Child Advocates; Aqilah David, Stoneleigh Youth Advocacy Fellow at the Juvenile Law Center; and Vaughn Jackson, a Philadelphia father whose children’s benefits were intercepted.

“For foster youth who age out of the system without family support, access to conserved benefits could be life-changing, helping them afford essentials like groceries, child care, rent, and utilities,” said Ayler. “I think of former clients now in their late 20s who are struggling to survive on limited SSI benefits — had they been given access to conserved funds, they would surely have had a more secure start to adulthood.”

“No one should take money from orphans,” said Jackson. “Most foster kids don’t have a clue why they’re in the system. As they get older and become young men and women, they deserve to be able to use these funds DHS is taking to go to school, take up a trade, further their education and become something. They deserve a fair chance in life.”

“Many young people exit the Pennsylvania child welfare system just to become homeless and less fortunate. Why take away their safety net of the benefits that could prevent these unforeseen circumstances?” said David. “This could give young people that financial stability to get their adult lives started.”

“Brilliant advocates and experts have built a movement to ensure Pennsylvania’s foster youth beneficiaries have a fair shot at success,” said Harfeld. “Now the legislature has a chance to get the state on the right side of this commonsense policy reform. Win for children and families. Win for taxpayers. Win for all.”

House Bill 2617 is supported by more than 30 children’s advocacy, disability rights and social service organizations across the Commonwealth.

Information provided to TVL by:
Benjamin Moss-Horwitz