Youth Homelessness Prevention Cash Transfer Program Act (p. 61)

“In the absence of federal cash transfers, states can implement a variety of direct cash transfer programs, targeting specific populations or geographic areas. Legislation offers the strongest protection for ensuring that cash transfer program payments are exempt from eligibility and benefit determinations for most cash and food assistance programs. It also provides protection from being considered income for federal income tax purposes.”

Youth Asset Protection Act (p. 64)

“Foster care agencies in at least 49 states and Washington, D.C., as well as some counties, examine records for children in care to identify those who are eligible for federal benefits, become the child’s financial representative, and then take the monthly benefits to reimburse themselves for the cost of foster care. Until there is a federal law prohibiting this practice, states can step in to ensure that foster youth aren’t paying for their own care. States can also ensure that housing, shelter, and other providers are not becoming authorized representatives regarding state benefits for youth without the knowledge or consent of the youth or failing to provide any notice or accounting of how the benefits were used.”

Income

Youth Homelessness Prevention Cash Transfer Program Act (p. 61)

“In the absence of federal cash transfers, states can implement a variety of direct cash transfer programs, targeting specific populations or geographic areas. Legislation offers the strongest protection for ensuring that cash transfer program payments are exempt from eligibility and benefit determinations for most cash and food assistance programs. It also provides protection from being considered income for federal income tax purposes.”

Youth Asset Protection Act (p. 64)

“Foster care agencies in at least 49 states and Washington, D.C., as well as some counties, examine records for children in care to identify those who are eligible for federal benefits, become the child’s financial representative, and then take the monthly benefits to reimburse themselves for the cost of foster care. Until there is a federal law prohibiting this practice, states can step in to ensure that foster youth aren’t paying for their own care. States can also ensure that housing, shelter, and other providers are not becoming authorized representatives regarding state benefits for youth without the knowledge or consent of the youth or failing to provide any notice or accounting of how the benefits were used.”