Massachusetts S65 protects benefits owed to foster children by ensuring their eligibility and conservation.

Massachusetts S65 mandates the Department of Children and Families to actively identify and conserve benefits for foster children, including Supplemental Security Income, Retirement, Survivors or Disability Benefits, and federal veterans benefits. The department must screen children for eligibility within 60 days of entering custody and apply for benefits on their behalf. Benefits must be conserved in an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account or another trust account, unless the child is not receiving benefits with asset limits, in which case funds are placed in a savings account.

Massachusetts S65 protects benefits owed to foster children by ensuring their eligibility and conservation.

Massachusetts S65 mandates the Department of Children and Families to actively identify and conserve benefits for foster children, including Supplemental Security Income, Retirement, Survivors or Disability Benefits, and federal veterans benefits. The department must screen children for eligibility within 60 days of entering custody and apply for benefits on their behalf. Benefits must be conserved in an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account or another trust account, unless the child is not receiving benefits with asset limits, in which case funds are placed in a savings account.