2012 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 17a - Social and Human Services and Resources
Chapter 319 - Department of Children and Families
Section 17a-15b - Department responsibilities re child eligible for benefits from Social Security Administration. Documentation of benefit eligibility in child’s permanency plan.

(a) The permanency plan of a child in the care and custody of the Commissioner of Children and Families shall include documentation whether the child is eligible for benefits from the Social Security Administration, including, but not limited to, supplemental security income, survivor and disabled adult child benefits.

(b) The department shall complete and submit an application for supplemental security income benefits for any eligible child in its care and custody. The department shall maintain and respond to correspondence regarding the application and any benefits.

(c) For any child who has reached the age of seventeen and is receiving Social Security benefits, the department shall: (1) Determine whether the child will require a representative payee to assist in managing the child’s Social Security benefits, (2) if the child requires a representative payee, identify an appropriate representative payee who shall comply with the representative payee responsibilities set forth in 20 CFR 404.2035, as amended from time to time, and (3) if the child does not require a representative payee, provide the following assistance to the child which may include, but is not limited to, educating the child about (A) maintaining their eligibility with the Social Security Administration, and (B) maintaining a bank account for purposes of electronic direct deposit of Social Security payments.

(P.A. 12-53, S. 1.)