relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments and veterans benefits for children in foster care.

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to check for and apply for Social Security and veterans benefits for children entering foster care within 60 days. If the department becomes the official payee for these funds, it is prohibited from using the money to cover the child's care costs but may use it to meet unmet needs while establishing special accounts to save for the child's future. The law also mandates that the department notify parents and guardians about benefit decisions, conduct annual reviews to identify new eligibility, and return any remaining funds to the child or their responsible adult when the child leaves the system.