(Radio Iowa) – Governor Reynolds recently announced the state will help orphaned children in Iowa’s foster care system set up accounts for their Social Security Survivors benefits, so they’ll get that money when they turn 18 to pay for things like college or housing. State Senator Sarah Trone-Garriott, the Democrat running in Iowa’s third congressional district, proposed this move over two years ago, but it was rejected by Senate Republicans.
State officials have said they do not know how much money foster care kids will be able to save this year with the move. Trone-Garriott says she was told that in 2024 the state would be using one-point-two MILLION dollars in Social Security Survivors Benefits to cover foster care costs for orphaned children.
Iowa is now the 31st state to help children in Iowa’s foster care system whose parents have died invest their Social Security Survivors Benefits.
Trone-Garriot says if she’s elected to the U-S House, she will try to find a federal solution that would help the remaining 19 states make the same change. Trone-Garriott is challenging Republican Congressman Zach Nunn’s bid for a third term in the U.S. House.
