Sauder Schelkopf LLC, a nationally recognized law firm focused on complex litigation and consumer protection, is investigating reports that foster care agencies and counties in Pennsylvania may have applied for and used Social Security benefits intended for children in their care — often without clear notice to the youth, their families, or legal advocates.
According to a recent joint investigation by Spotlight PA and Resolve Philly, data from 47 counties suggest that, since 2020, over $15 million in benefits — including Social Security disability and survivors benefits — were collected by local child welfare agencies. In many cases, it remains unclear whether the children or their representatives were informed or received the funds.
Why This Matters
Social Security benefits — such as those for children with disabilities or children who have lost a parent — are intended to help support that child’s well-being. Federal law generally requires that these funds be used in the best interests of the child, or held in trust until they reach adulthood.
However, the investigation found that:
- In numerous counties, there was no documentation that the funds were spent directly on the child’s needs
- Most youth and their guardians were never notified that the government was receiving or using the child’s benefits
- Some counties deposited these funds into general operating budgets, making it difficult to trace how the money was used
- Many former foster youth only learned about the missing benefits years later, often when applying for Social Security as adults
Who May Be Affected
You or your child may have been impacted if:
- Your child was in foster care in Pennsylvania between 2020 and 2023
- A parent passed away, became disabled, or the child qualified for disability benefits
- You were not notified that Social Security benefits were being collected on behalf of the child
- You never received an accounting of how those benefits were used
Free, Confidential Consultation
Sauder Schelkopf is investigating potential legal claims on behalf of:
- Former foster youth
- Parents and guardians of children in foster care
- Court-appointed advocates or attorneys who may have been unaware that Social Security benefits were involved
We are exploring whether affected individuals may be entitled to:
- Reimbursement of withheld benefits
- Injunctive relief to stop these practices
- Systemic reforms to increase transparency and accountability
Contact Us
If you believe you or a loved one may have been impacted by this practice, contact us for a free and confidential consultation:
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. Our firm was recognized by the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 Professional Excellence Awards. The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards honor Pennsylvania law firms and attorneys who have made a significant, positive impact on the legal profession. Our firm was named in the Litigation Departments of the Year (Specialty Area category; runner-up), an award that honors the best litigation practice in a small or mid-sized firm in Pennsylvania. This recognition was based on the firm’s 2021 litigation work and its important ongoing cases. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The National Trial Lawyers Association has also selected our attorneys as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We Want to Hear from You
If you or your child were in foster care in Pennsylvania, you may be owed Social Security benefits — contact Sauder Schelkopf for a free, confidential consultation.