JEFFERSON CITY— The Missouri House gave initial approval to legislation stopping the state from seizing Social Security benefits of foster children.
“We have a responsibility to be good stewards for foster children, good stewards of their care and good stewards of their finances,†said Rep. Melissa Schmidt, a Republican from Eldridge and sponsor of the bill.
Missouri currently uses foster kids’ benefits to pay for their care. That means children who are orphans or have disabilities are paying for their care while in state custody.
The state spent $10.7 million of benefits from 1,200 children in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024.
The measure still allows the state to use children’s benefits on “unmet needs†outside of what the state is obligated to provide.
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Missouri’s policy is common. In 2021, The Marshall Project and NPR found that at least 49 states and the District of Columbia have similar practices as Missouri.
Since then 30 states and jurisdictions have taken some action to ensure foster youth have access to their entitled benefits, according to an analysis from the University of San Diego Children’s Advocacy Institute. Kansas and Nebraska are among the states that have made reforms, the institute has found.
Last year, a similar proposal passed the House but died on the Senate floor amid Republican infighting.
On the House floor, Schmidt proposed an amendment to remove language asking the Children’s Division to place children in a home that matches their religious affiliation.
Democrats spoke in favor of the amendment, but Schmidt withdrew it after several Republicans, including Rep. Brian Seitz of Branson, opposed it.
The measure needs one more vote in the House before going to the Senate.
The legislation is HB 7
Missouri's Legislature reflects the federal structure in many ways. Video by Beth O'Malley
