(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that this section shall not be interpreted to preclude a nonminor dependent from accessing the same benefits, services, and supports, and exercise the same choices available to all dependents. It is further the intent of the Legislature that nonminor dependents who receive federal Supplemental Security Income benefits can serve as their own payee, if it is determined that the nonminor dependent satisfies the criteria established by the Social Security Administration, and should be assisted in receiving direct payment by the county placing agency. It is further the intent of the Legislature that individuals who have had their eligibility for federal Supplemental Security Income benefits established pursuant to Section 13757 be able to maintain that eligibility even when they remain in the state’s care as a nonminor dependent. In order to facilitate this, it is the intent of the Legislature that the county placing agency ensure that the youth receives an SSI payment during at least one month of each 12-month period while the youth is a nonminor dependent. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the county placing agency supplement the SSI payment that a youth receives during this one-month period with nonfederal AFDC-FC benefits.

(b) The county shall apply to be appointed representative payee on behalf of a child beneficiary in its custody when no other appropriate party is available to serve.

(c) In consultation with the nonminor dependent, the county shall identify an appropriate representative payee, which may include the nonminor dependent, a trusted adult, or the county. For a nonminor dependent who is receiving federal Supplemental Security Income payments, the county shall do both of the following:

(1) (A) If the nonminor dependent requests a representative payee that is not the county, the county shall assist the nonminor dependent in requesting a change of payee to the Social Security Administration. The county shall assist the nonminor dependent or the nonminor dependent’s representative payee in communicating any changes in the nonminor dependent’s foster care case to the Social Security Administration if those changes would affect the nonminor dependent’s eligibility for, or the amount of, SSI benefits.

(B) The county shall assist the nonminor dependent in taking the necessary steps to establish continuing disability as an adult, including, but not limited to, steps the nonminor dependent will need to take to gather and submit relevant records to the Social Security Administration and requesting an appeal, as needed. The county shall provide the nonminor dependent with any information maintained in the nonminor dependent’s case file that may assist them in establishing and maintaining SSI benefits, upon request of the nonminor dependent. The county shall also provide information to the nonminor dependent on how to access any known legal representation and advocacy organizations or entities for further assistance and, if the nonminor dependent requests to obtain an SSI advocate, shall assist the nonminor dependent in communicating and coordinating with that SSI advocate.

(2) If the nonminor dependent selects the county as their representative payee, the county shall follow the procedures described in Section 13757 to maintain eligibility for SSI payments. The county shall advise the nonminor dependent on an annual basis of the nonminor dependent’s right to request a different representative payee and document in the nonminor dependent’s transitional independent living case plan steps the nonminor dependent can take to become their own payee by 21 years of age. If the nonminor dependent exits care prior to attaining 21 years of age, the county shall provide information to the nonminor dependent of the steps the nonminor dependent will need to take to submit a change of payee request to the Social Security Administration and shall provide the necessary assistance to ensure that the nonminor dependent receives SSI payments as soon as possible after exiting care.

(3) To support nonminor dependents in establishing and maintaining SSI eligibility pursuant to this subdivision, the county may contract with legal services organizations or other entities to provide extended legal representation on behalf of children or nonminor dependents in foster care.

(d) In its capacity as representative payee, the county shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish a no-cost, interest-bearing maintenance account for each child in the department’s custody, and nonminor dependent in the department’s placement and care responsibility, for whom the department serves as representative payee. Interest earned shall be credited to the account. The county shall keep an itemized current account, in the manner required by federal law, of all income and expense items for each child’s and nonminor dependent’s maintenance account.

(2) Establish procedures for disbursing money from the accounts, including disbursing the net balance to the beneficiary upon release from care. The county shall use social security and SSI/SSP benefits only for the following purposes:

(A) For the use and benefit of the child or nonminor dependent.

(B) For purposes determined by the county to be in the child’s or nonminor’s best interest.

(3) Establish and maintain a dedicated account in a financial institution for past-due monthly benefits that exceed six times the maximum monthly benefit payable, in accordance with federal law. The representative payee may deposit into the account established under this section any other funds representing past due benefits to the eligible individual, provided that the amount of the past due benefits is equal to or exceeds the maximum monthly benefit payable. Funds from the dedicated account shall not be used for basic maintenance costs. The use of funds from the dedicated account must be for the benefit of the child and are limited to expenditures for the following purposes:

(A) Medical treatment.

(B) Education or job skills training.

(C) Personal needs assistance.

(D) Special equipment.

(E) Housing modification.

(F) Therapy or rehabilitation.

(G) Other items or services, deemed appropriate by the Social Security Administration.

(e) Beginning in the 2011-12 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter, funding and expenditures for programs and activities under this section shall be in accordance with the requirements provided in Sections 30025 and 30026.5 of the Government Code.

(f) This section shall become operative as of January 1, 2023, or 30 days after the department issues the necessary all-county letters and informing materials to county placing agencies, whichever is later.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 50, Sec. 65. (SB 187) Effective June 30, 2022. Conditionally operative on or after January 1, 2023, by its own provisions.)