HAWAI‘I REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING SURVIVOR BENEFITS FOR FOSTER YOUTH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 23, 2026

HONOLULU - The Hawai'i Department of Human Services (DHS) today announced the state's ongoing commitment to protecting Social Security survivor and disability benefits for children in foster care - proudly reaffirming a policy shift made in 2023 to ensure that these funds belong to the youth they were intended to support.

For decades, many states, including Hawai'i, followed a practice of utilizing foster youths' federal survivor benefits to reimburse the state for the cost of their care. In 2023, under the direction of House Resolution 117, Senate Concurrent Resolution 188 and with Governor Josh Green's support, DHS ended this practice and began conserving all Social Security funds for the direct benefit of each eligible foster child, establishing a model that aligns with emerging federal Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) goal to end this practice nationwide. DHS ensures these funds are deposited into trust accounts and made available to youth as they prepare for independence.

Today's announcement comes as ACF highlights national momentum to end what Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams has called the "orphan tax," and as states across the country reform longstanding policies to ensure foster youth retain the financial support owed to them.

"Here in Hawai'i, we believe every child deserves dignity, stability and the full support they are owed," said Governor Green. "Years ago, our state ended the outdated practice of redirecting survivor benefits and we are proud to reaffirm that commitment today. These funds belong to our keiki and preserving them ensures that foster youth have a stronger foundation as they step into adulthood."

"At the Administration for Children and Families, we are grateful for Hawai'i's longstanding commitment to preserving Social Security survivor benefits for children in foster care," said Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams. "For foster youth who tragically experience the loss of a parent, these benefits represent the last, or only, financial support a deceased parent can provide to them. I applaud Governor Green for continually prioritizing the best interest of foster youth and encourage the remaining states who continue to steal from orphans to do right by these children who need our support and protection the most."

"Hawai'i's child welfare system is strongest when we honor the rights and needs of the children in our care," said DHS Director Joseph Campos II. "By conserving Social Security survivor benefits and placing them directly into accounts for each eligible youth, we help ensure they have resources for education, housing, transportation and stability as they transition out of care."

Since ending the reimbursement practice on July 1, 2023, DHS has maintained dedicated trust accounts for foster youths' survivor and disability benefits - and has strengthened internal procedures to ensure transparency, accountability and timely access to funds as youth prepare for adulthood.

This longstanding policy mirrors federal expectations and aligns Hawai'i with more than 35 states that have recently ended or reformed their use of children's Social Security benefits. The policy also complements Hawai'i's work to implement Fostering the Future Accounts, a national federal initiative supporting long-term financial security for foster youth.

DHS will continue to collaborate with ACF as the federal government releases updated guidance and as states strengthen benefit-preservation practices nationwide.

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