States have been using foster children’s Social Security benefits. That’s ending in some places
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — By the time Jesse Fernandez turned 18, the federal government had paid out thousands of dollars in Social Security survivor’s benefits because of the death of his mother. But Jesse’s bank account was empty.
The money had all been used by Missouri’s foster care system or relatives responsible for his care.
“I was shocked,” said Jason White, a foster parent to Fernandez.