Foster Youth Earned Benefits Protection for Success Act; enact.

Protecting foster children's earned benefits

Starting July 1, 2026, Mississippi CPS must check within 60 days of a child's entry into care for earned Social Security or veterans' benefits, including survivor or dependent benefits. CPS must apply when the child qualifies or may qualify. CPS must consult the child and the child's lawyer when choosing a benefits payee, and may serve only when no other suitable person is available. If CPS manages benefits, it cannot use the child's benefits, savings, or assets to repay care costs. It may use benefits only for the child's unmet needs beyond what CPS must or agrees to provide, and must conserve funds in an account or trust that follows resource limits and protects access to public benefits. CPS must report each year on how it used or saved the funds, send written updates about benefit applications and decisions to the child and other specified people, periodically review other payee options, and check each year for new eligibility. When benefits are denied, CPS must consult the child's lawyer and may appeal if an appeal is in the child's best interests. For each child with saved benefits, CPS must create a plan for payments tied to milestones such as getting identification, graduating, starting education or training, working for six verified months, or completing financial-literacy instruction. Youth in the plan must have access to financial instruction and counseling. When CPS responsibility ends, remaining funds go to the child if the child is at least 18 or emancipated; otherwise, they go to the person responsible for the child.