V-9 Extended Care Policy
Social Security, Veteran's Administration, and Other Benefits:
When a youth becomes 18 years old and is no longer in Departmental custody, the Department has no basis for receiving benefits on his or her behalf unless the youth specifically requests that the Department do so. It is preferable for the youth to be their own payee and to experience handling their own benefits. In some instances, youth will not have the ability to manage their own benefits. These are youth who are being transferred from DHS care for continued services to the Department of Mental Retardation, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Services, or to Adult Protective Services.
If the youth has not applied for benefits for which they might be eligible, the Department's caseworker and their supervisor will assist the youth with applying for the necessary benefits prior to their 18th birthday.
