Social Security offers online tools for foster care youths

A new policy from the Social Security Administration allows foster youth of all ages with disabilities to apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits six months before they leave care, and a new online toolkit is available to help families apply for the benefits immediately.

The Juvenile Law Center reported that the new policy started Aug. 1 and it will remain in effect for one year, after which SSA will evaluate its success and make any necessary modifications.

A special toolkit to help qualifying foster youth with disabilities who are preparing to transition out of foster take immediate advantage of the new policy is available at www.jlc.org/SSI.

SSI is a federal needs-based program for children and adults with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Individuals who are eligible receive a monthly cash payment.

The 2016 payment amount for an individual without any other income is $733, according to the JLC.

The new policy can also help in reunifying families by providing an immediate source of additional financial support that many families need, thus reducing financial stresses, according to the JLC.

For more information about the policy change see www.jlc.org/SSI.