Pa. House committee unanimously advances foster youth benefit bill

Harrisburg, Pa. — Bipartisan legislation sponsored by state Reps. Rick Krajewski and Sheryl Delozier supporting youths in foster care has received unanimous approval from the House Children and Youth Committee. The bill is now awaiting a vote from the full House.

The bill, HB 151, would prevent Pa. agencies from intercepting Social Security benefits for foster youth such as survivors’ benefits. Instead of intercepting these benefits, they would be required to be placed in a savings account to be given to the individual once they exit foster care.

In December, the federal Office of Administration for Children and Families demanded that states no longer intercept benefits. Ten states have already worked to prohibit interceptions.

“These are funds that for many could mean the difference between homelessness and stable housing, between needing to work multiple jobs and having time to attend college, between lacking healthcare and receiving necessary treatment. These youth are not asking for handouts, they’re asking for what’s already theirs,” said Delozier of Cumberland County, the co-prime sponsor of the bill. “It’s a bipartisan issue. Not one that’s defined by Republicans or Democrats, urban or rural. This is an issue that affects children in the foster care system no matter where they live.”    

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Pa. House committee unanimously advances foster youth benefit bill

“What makes up a fraction of our state’s spending could make a huge difference in the lives of foster youth, who often face high rates of homelessness, addiction and depression,” said Krajewski, of Philadelphia, the lead sponsor of the bill. “This is about fairness and the protection of our kids. Just as other foster children do not pay for their own costs of care or other county services, children who receive public benefits shouldn’t either. We must do what’s right for the future of these children.”  

Krajewski joined former foster youth and advocates at a Capitol news conference in April to highlight the issue. Former foster youth Antonio Gonzalez-Dennis spoke about his experience missing seasons of sports while in high school and college because he struggled to purchase basic items, like running shoes or a bowling ball, only to find out that officials had been intercepting more than $500 a month of his benefits.  

“Now, I’ve been lucky enough to have some great people in my life who were willing to help when I needed it. But if DHS had done a better job of seeing to my needs or if I had access to my benefits, I wouldn’t have had to lean so heavily on teachers, friends, and caregivers,” Gonzalez-Dennis said. “That’s why H.B. 151 is needed right now. It would make sure that kids in the system have their benefits saved for them in individual accounts that they actually know about. Passing H.B. 151 is a real chance to make sure DHS is accountable to the children it’s supposed to serve.”   

Krajewski’s legislation was first introduced in the 2023-24 session, following revelations that Philadelphia was not conserving foster benefits despite a city ordinance banning the practice.