Michigan lawmakers aim to protect benefits for foster children

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Some Michigan lawmakers want to end the practice of taking money away from foster children.

Some children qualify for Social Security checks because they have a disability or lost a parent when they were placed in foster care; The Department of Health and Human Services sometimes cashes these checks on their behalf to reimburse the state for the costs of foster care that other children receive for free.

Michigan is expected to receive $3.6 million from the practice in the coming fiscal year, with about $500,000 going to local governments.

If Senate Bill 872, introduced by Senator Jeff Irwin, passes, that money would be replaced by the general fund.

“It’s really not good enough to say: let’s just stop this. I think the previous legislation that was put in place said, let’s just stop seizing these assets. But we actually had to figure out what we were going to do with the assets. And So what our legislation calls for is placing these funds in ABLE accounts. These are specific trust accounts that the state has developed, you know, for people in these types of situations, people who are disabled, others, and this would allow them to keep them. the funds in these ABLE accounts; that way the funds are safe and monitored,” said Irwin, who represents Michigan’s 15th District.

Justin Kasieta entered the foster care system at age 15 after his father died of cancer.

“You never really knew where you were going to be next. So it was something where you never knew if you were going to have to meet new teachers, new friends, new fellow students. And it made it hard to be there at home,” Kasieta said.

Kasieta and his four siblings ended up living in four different foster homes.

Due to the death of his father, Kasieta and his siblings were entitled to social benefits. However, Michigan took over that money, leaving the children with little financial support as they aged out of the system.

“I had over $18,000 taken from me from the time I went into foster care to the time I became a parent, and you know, that money could have been used for things like, you know, maybe getting your first car, your getting your first apartment, helping you afford a college education, or getting your first job,” Kasieta said.

Kasieta is now advocating for legislation that would ensure these funds directly support foster children.

“Many of the kids I’ve experienced in foster care end up, you know, struggling with addiction, homeless or worse,” Kasieta said. “These are among the most vulnerable children in our entire society. So I think putting that money toward making them self-sufficient so that they don’t end up having to rely on taxpayer support, which could actually cost more money.” in the long run, you know, then just giving kids the money that was meant for them.”

On Wednesday, the U of M grad will appear before the Michigan Senate Housing and Human Services Committee to share his story and help pass Senate Bill 872 so other foster children can transition out of the system with some financial stability.

“Most people don’t know this is happening, which is why it keeps happening. And I think Michigan has a rare opportunity to right incredible injustices,” Kasieta said.