FOIA Requests

How many children in care are receiving benefits? (SSI, disability, OASDI survivor, Veteran's survivor)? What other benefits is the state taking (some have LONG lists)? Savings? How much money does this amount to? What is the average SSI/Survivor benefit per child per year?

How is the agency screening and applying for benefits for children entering care? Is the requirement to screen memorialized in statute or just in rules? Is there a trigger age or timeline?

What state laws/policies provide for proper notice to foster children and their attorneys/GALs when applications are made and benefits awarded?

What efforts are being made by the state to identify appropriate representative payees for foster children according to the SSA preference list?

Is the state using children’s benefits to supplement or to supplant its existing foster care obligations?

Is the state handling SSI/OASDI/VA benefits in the same manner or differently according to category of benefits?

How is the agency reporting/tracking use of the funds? Are the annual required reports to SSI and VA being filed? Shared w/child/atty? Conserved in dedicated or PASS/ABLE/Special
Needs Trust accounts?

What are the reasonably foreseeable needs of youth aging out of care, and how
would their conserved assets help to meet those needs?