Committee sends bill to Appropriations to screen foster youth for SSI and require reporting on benefit use

Representatives Brown and Gilchrist introduced House Bill 13-47, a bipartisan measure to ensure youth in foster care who may be eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are identified, assessed and—when appropriate—applied for in a timely manner. Sponsors said the bill protects vulnerable children by ensuring counties document screening results, begin applications within 40–45 days after collecting necessary documentation, and report on the use of benefits.

"This bill is about making sure that we are maximizing the benefits that are available to these kids," Representative Brown said in opening remarks, describing foster youth as among the most vulnerable and emphasizing the bill’s reporting and screening requirements.

Multiple advocacy groups and county officials testified. Mariana Pino of Raise the Future and Zach Neely of Be The Source urged support, saying SSI can be an essential, and sometimes essential, source of monthly funds for youth with disabilities. Witnesses and the Office of the Child Representative emphasized that SSI is the child’s money and that the bill strengthens transparency and oversight.

County representatives and other stakeholders participated in drafting and technical amendment work. Sponsor-led amendments L001–L003 clarified screening timelines, removed a separate benefit-planner requirement, required counties to follow the federal order of preference for representative payees, and removed language that would have required a new county FTE; the amendments passed without objection.

Committee members asked technical questions including typical SSI amounts; testimony observed that the maximum benefit for a child is about $990 per month (amount varies by case). Sponsors described ABLE accounts and how overages could be preserved for youth, while acknowledging administrative challenges and indicating ongoing stakeholder work.

Representative Gilchrist moved the bill as amended to the Appropriations Committee with a favorable recommendation; roll call recorded a 13–0 vote.