Library: Policy

340:75-13-25. Exploration of resources

Revised 5-12-05

(a) Identifying resources.  The Child Welfare (CW) worker of a child in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) custody and out-of-home placement:

• (1) explores with the child's family all benefits or resources, such as Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans benefits, child support, inheritance, trust funds, insurance benefits, and Indian trusts or monies, available and non-available for use, to which the child is or may be entitled; and

• (2) identifies the child who is or may be Indian, per OAC 340:75-19, and requests through the appropriate tribe or Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) information regarding:

• (A) tribal membership or eligibility for membership; and

• (B) the present balance of any individual money accounts and trust funds.

(b) Reporting resources.  The CW worker reports to the assigned custody specialist all current and subsequent information pertaining to any income or resources.  

• (1) Benefits received are used by OKDHS to defray the cost of the child's care.

• (2) Any amount over the cost of care is deposited to the child's trust fund account and is available to the child.