California Social Security eligibility changes: Who is affected?
A new law will affect the payments of some Social Security beneficiaries in California. Here’s what it means.
Every month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends money to millions of people across the country. The monthly payments are intended for retired workers, survivors, and recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Survivors’ benefits provide monthly payments to eligible family members of people who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died.
People who qualify for these payments include: spouse, divorced spouse, dependent child or parent of someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes before dying.
In California, the governor has signed a law that affects benefits for children of survivors, as well as for children and adolescents who receive SSI payments. Here’s what the changes are.
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California Social Security eligibility changes: Who is affected?
AB 2906, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in late September, will benefit children in foster care. Currently, California counties could apply for Social Security benefits for foster children without notifying the child or their legal guardian and keep that money.
However, under the new legislation, placement agencies will be required to act according to specific guidelines and in compliance with certain requirements when acting as a representative payee or in any other fiduciary capacity for a child or young person. It also aims to ensure that children receive this money when they are of age.
Among other requirements, they must also ensure that the child’s federal Social Security Administration survivor benefits are not used to pay or reimburse the placing agency for the costs of caring for and supervising the child.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain state-mandated costs. This bill provides that no reimbursement is required.
Under the bill, these requirements would take effect on January 1, 2025, or 30 days after the department issues the necessary countywide letters and informational materials to county placement agencies, whichever is later.
The full text of AB2906 can be found here.