Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
12/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/10/2025 15:49
Leadbeter to Introduce Legislation to Promote Long-Term Success for Youth in Foster Care
Dec. 10, 2025
HARRISBURG - To improve the futures of Columbia County's and Pennsylvania's youth, state Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia) announced he will soon be introducing the Foster Youth Earned Benefits Protection for Success Act to ensure children in foster care receive, protect and build upon the federal benefits they have earned without losing them to offset costs associated with state care.
According to Leadbeter, the bill will establish clear guidance to identify foster youth who are eligible for earned federal benefits administered by the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs, including survivors' or dependent benefits.
"Children who enter foster care often come from tough circumstances," said Leadbeter. "Each year, thousands of foster youths nationwide unknowingly lose access to these earned benefits because child welfare agencies apply for the benefits, are appointed as representative payees and then use the child's money to reimburse themselves for the cost of foster care. This practice strips vulnerable youth of assets intended to support their stability, promote independence and transition to adulthood. Any child eligible for earned federal benefits must be entitled to have those dollars available to them to better their future without government overreach and interference."
Modeled after best practices used by other states, Leadbeter's legislation would:
• Require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to determine within 60 days whether any child entering care is receiving - or is eligible to receive - earned federal benefits, and to apply for those benefits when appropriate.
• Prohibit the Commonwealth from using a child's earned benefits to pay for foster care or any other state-incurred costs.
• Require DHS to conserve a child's funds in an approved account that protects eligibility for public benefits, such as a special needs trust.
• Mandate annual accounting; transparency; and notice to the child, parents (when applicable), the child's attorney, and placement providers concerning the management of the child's benefits.
• Require that any remaining funds be released directly to the youth upon their exit from care.
The Success Sequence Savings and Disbursement Program is another key feature contained within this initiative. This would allow foster youth to access portions of saved benefits upon reaching meaningful milestones such as obtaining identification, earning a high school diploma, enrolling in post-secondary or vocational training, maintaining consistent employment, or completing financial literacy education.
Once the young person exits from care, any remaining benefits must be released to them if they are 18 years old or emancipated, or to a caretaker if the child is a minor.
Representative Robert Leadbeter
109th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717-260-6396
[email protected]
RepLeadbeter.com
According to Leadbeter, the bill will establish clear guidance to identify foster youth who are eligible for earned federal benefits administered by the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs, including survivors' or dependent benefits.
"Children who enter foster care often come from tough circumstances," said Leadbeter. "Each year, thousands of foster youths nationwide unknowingly lose access to these earned benefits because child welfare agencies apply for the benefits, are appointed as representative payees and then use the child's money to reimburse themselves for the cost of foster care. This practice strips vulnerable youth of assets intended to support their stability, promote independence and transition to adulthood. Any child eligible for earned federal benefits must be entitled to have those dollars available to them to better their future without government overreach and interference."
Modeled after best practices used by other states, Leadbeter's legislation would:
• Require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to determine within 60 days whether any child entering care is receiving - or is eligible to receive - earned federal benefits, and to apply for those benefits when appropriate.
• Prohibit the Commonwealth from using a child's earned benefits to pay for foster care or any other state-incurred costs.
• Require DHS to conserve a child's funds in an approved account that protects eligibility for public benefits, such as a special needs trust.
• Mandate annual accounting; transparency; and notice to the child, parents (when applicable), the child's attorney, and placement providers concerning the management of the child's benefits.
• Require that any remaining funds be released directly to the youth upon their exit from care.
The Success Sequence Savings and Disbursement Program is another key feature contained within this initiative. This would allow foster youth to access portions of saved benefits upon reaching meaningful milestones such as obtaining identification, earning a high school diploma, enrolling in post-secondary or vocational training, maintaining consistent employment, or completing financial literacy education.
Once the young person exits from care, any remaining benefits must be released to them if they are 18 years old or emancipated, or to a caretaker if the child is a minor.
Representative Robert Leadbeter
109th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Nate Temple
717-260-6396
[email protected]
RepLeadbeter.com
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Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus published this content on December 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 10, 2025 at 21:49 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]