KRQE News 13 · Aug 12, 2026

HHS touts 35 states that have scaled back 'orphan tax' on Social Security benefits

(The Hill) - Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said Tuesday that 35 states have ended the practice of intercepting federal benefits intended for orphans in foster care. For decades, state agencies have taken Social Security survivor benefits from children in foster care after the death of their parents, who paid [...]