If a child is in a placement paid for by DFPS, the child’s cost of care is paid for by the following:

• Federal and state funds.
• Payments designated or designed to be used for the child’s care, such as child support.

When a federal benefit is the source of payment, such as monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Retirement Survivors Disability Income (RSDI) payments, DFPS follows federal law and policy.

Texas Family Code §264.109External Link

20 C.F.R. §416.640External Link

20 C.F.R. §404.2040External Link

Other sources of payments or funds are normally not used for cost of care. If a caseworker or other party requests that these funds be used for cost of care, or for any other reason, state office accounting staff contacts the Office of General Counsel or the regional attorney before approving any expenditure.

SSA Payments

Social Security Administration (SSA) monthly benefits are deposited in one month and are used to pay the cost of care the following month. This ensures that a provider is not reimbursed for the cost of care if the child is no longer in that placement. Normally, the cost of care exceeds the monthly payment. However, in cases where it does not, the excess amount is conserved for the child and placed in the child’s savings account.

DFPS manages a child’s SSI and RSDI lump sums as set out in 1580 Managing a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lump Sum or Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) Lump Sum for a Child Receiving SSI.