March 15, 2011

The Fleecing of Foster Children: How We Confiscate Their Assets & Undermine Their Financial Security

In this document, the Children’s Advocacy Institute, the University of San Diego School of Law, and First Star reviewed the policies and effects of states' use of  foster children's benefits from Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits program (OASDI) and the Supplemental Security Income for Aged, Blind, and Disabled program (SSI).  Approximately six percent of foster children are eligible for OASDI or SSI, which brings the states about $200 million annually. The review found that by using the children’s OASDI or SSI funds to pay for foster care, the children are less able to become self-sufficient when they leave foster care.