For decades, states have taken foster children’s federal benefits. That’s starting to change.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – States have for decades been using foster children’s federal Social Security benefits to help cover the costs of state services.

Jesse Fernandez, center, stands with his former foster parents Jason and Joyce White Friday, May 17, 2024, in Independence, Mo. Fernandez was paid thousands of dollars of Social Security survivor’s benefits because of the death of his mother, but by the time he turned 18, the money had all been used by the state of Missouri and Fernandez’s relatives to pay for his foster care. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The practice has saved states millions of dollars. But that’s beginning to change in some states under pressure from child advocates who contend it is immoral and detrimental to kids.

Since 2018, at least a dozen states have taken some steps to either halt, scale back or provide greater notice of their use of children’s benefits to cover required foster care costs.

Some states have enacted laws requiring those funds to instead be set aside for the child’s future needs as they transition to adulthood.

Read more details on this news story here.

For more U.S. news stories, click here.