AB 1080: Foster care payments.

This bill aims to improve the care and benefits for foster youth in California. It requires the county placing agency to screen foster youth for potential eligibility for federal benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and to act as the representative payee to ensure the child's best interests are served. The agency must use the benefits for purposes determined by the child and family team. The bill also expands the requirement for the agency to forego federally funded benefits to allow the foster youth to receive an SSI benefit. Additionally, the bill makes various technical and conforming changes to increase county duties with respect to foster youth, imposing a state-mandated local program.