Benefits for Youth in Close Custody

The Oregon Youth Authority has a team of people who find benefits to help pay for services for youth. We call them our Youth Benefits Access Team, or YBAT.

While your youth is in one of our youth correctional facilities, our agency will make sure their needs are met, including treatment, medical care, and other services as identified. OYA pays for these services, but your child also may qualify for benefits that help support the costs of these programs.

We know this is a tough time for you and your family. Thinking about benefits can make things even harder. But we need your help.

We may ask for personal information about you, your youth, and your family. This is to help us learn whether your child is eligible for benefits that help pay for services they need.

Oregon law says that if a youth is eligible to receive Social Security benefits, OYA must apply to get those benefits to help provide care for the youth. 

If your youth already was receiving Social Security benefits because one parent died, retired, or is disabled, those payments will now come to OYA instead of to your family. If your youth is eligible for this, but was not already getting it, we will help them apply for it.

When your youth leaves close custody and goes back into the community, they may be able to get additional Social Security benefits if they have a physical or mental disability. However, they are not allowed to get this type of benefit while they are in a youth or adult correctional facility.

When your child is ready to leave close custody, we will help them apply for Social Security, if they are eligible.