Oklahoma Becomes 30th State to End What's Known as the 'Orphan Tax'

Oklahoma becomes 30th state to end what's known as the 'Orphan Tax'

Thousands of children in Oklahoma foster care could soon have more money in their pockets for the future after the state ended what's known as the "Orphan Tax."

Oklahoma ends ‘orphan tax’ amid pressure from the Trump administration

Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks at a bill signing ceremony at John W. Rex Charter Elementary in Oklahoma City on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s governor said Wednesday that the state will no longer divert Social Security survivor benefits from children in the state’s foster care system. Gov. Kevin Stitt said Oklahoma will no longer use the so-called “orphan tax” to pay for children in foster care …

Exclusive | Trump admin persuades 30th state to drop ‘orphan tax’ on foster kids — as NY continues to buck Melania’s plea

New York is one of 20 states that continue the practice of taking a foster child's Social Security survivor or disability benefits to reimburse themselves for the cost of the child's care, leaving them penniless when they age out of the system.