(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that this section shall not be interpreted to preclude a nonminor dependent from accessing the same benefits, services, and supports, and exercise the same choices available to all dependents. It is further the intent of the Legislature that nonminor dependents who receive federal Social Security Administration benefits can serve as their own payee, if it is determined that the nonminor dependent satisfies the criteria established by the federal Social Security Administration, and should be assisted in receiving direct payment by the county placing agency. It is further the intent of the Legislature that individuals who have had their eligibility for federal Supplemental Security Income benefits established pursuant to Section 13757 be able to maintain that eligibility even when they remain in the stateâs care as a nonminor dependent. In order to facilitate this, it is the intent of the Legislature that the county placing agency ensure that the youth receives an SSI payment during at least 1 month of each 12-month period while the youth is a nonminor dependent. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the county placing agency supplement the SSI payment that a youth receives during this 1-month period with nonfederal AFDC-FC benefits. (b) (1) The county shall apply to be appointed representative payee on behalf of a child beneficiary in its custody when no other appropriate party is available to serve. (2) Before applying to be appointed representative payee pursuant to paragraph (1), the county shall send a written notice of the intent to be appointed to the childâs counsel and parents or legal guardians. (c) In consultation with the nonminor dependent, the county shall identify an appropriate representative payee, which may include the nonminor dependent, a trusted adult, or the county. For a nonminor dependent who is receiving federal Social Security Administration benefits the county shall do all of the following: (1) (A) If the nonminor dependent requests a representative payee that is not the county, the county shall assist the nonminor dependent in requesting a change of payee to the federal Social Security Administration. The county shall assist the nonminor dependent or the nonminor dependentâs representative payee in understanding any restrictions on the use of federal Social Security Administration funds and communicating any changes in the nonminor dependentâs foster care case to the federal Social Security Administration if those changes would affect the nonminor dependentâs eligibility for, or the amount of, benefits from the federal Social Security Administration. (B) The county shall assist the nonminor dependent in taking the necessary steps to establish continuing disability as an adult, including, but not limited to, steps the nonminor dependent will need to take to gather and submit relevant records to the federal Social Security Administration and requesting an appeal, as needed. The county shall provide the nonminor dependent with any information maintained in the nonminor dependentâs case file that may assist them in establishing and maintaining federal Social Security Administration benefits, upon request of the nonminor dependent. The county shall also provide information to the nonminor dependent on how to access any known legal representation and advocacy organizations or entities for further assistance and, if the nonminor dependent requests to obtain a federal Social Security Administration advocate, shall assist the nonminor dependent in communicating and coordinating with that advocate. (2) If the nonminor dependent selects the county as their representative payee, the county shall follow the procedures described in Section 13757 to maintain eligibility for SSI payments. The county shall advise the nonminor dependent on an annual basis of the nonminor dependentâs right to request a different representative payee and document in the non
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