Where can I read Justin's writing?

Justin publishes a free newsletter on Substack at justinkasieta.substack.com — short essays, weekly-ish, on foster care reform, financial markets, and what he's learning building at the seam between policy and capital.

How can I support the campaign to end the orphan tax?

Visit theorphantax.org to learn about state-by-state reform efforts, contact your state legislators, and follow Justin Kasieta's newsletter for ongoing updates. Subscribing and sharing the work helps move state legislatures.

A newsletter, by Justin Kasieta

Notes on policy,
capital, and
foster care.

Q: What is the orphan tax?

The orphan tax is the practice by which U.S. states cash the federal Social Security survivor benefits and veterans benefits owed to children in foster care, using the money to reimburse themselves for the cost of that child's care. The result: children whose parents have died are made to pay their own foster-care bills, often without their knowledge. Justin Kasieta lost roughly $18,000 of his father's survivor benefits to the State of Michigan this way before aging out of care in 2019.

Q: Has the practice been ended?

Partially. After Michigan's SB 18 passed the State Senate unanimously, and following national advocacy by the Children's Advocacy Institute and youth like Justin Kasieta, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued federal guidance in early 2026 directing every state to end the practice. Implementation varies by state, and the work to make the reforms permanent continues.

Q: Is Justin available for speaking or press?

Yes. Justin has testified before the Michigan Senate, submitted written testimony in Kansas, and worked with national press including NPR, The Detroit News, CBS, and Michigan Public. For speaking engagements, press, or advocacy collaboration, reach out at justin@justinkasieta.com.

I write a newsletter about foster care reform, the financial system, and what I'm learning building things at the seam between them. Short, irregular, no spam.

01 / The work

A campaign, not a brand.

The Orphan Tax

Ending a quiet tax on the children with the least.

When a parent dies and a child is placed in foster care, many states cash the child's Social Security survivor checks to reimburse themselves for the cost of that care. The Orphan Tax exists to make that practice visible — and to end it, state by state.

theorphantax.org

$179M

Taken from foster youth annually before reform efforts began

$18,000

Cashed from my own checks by the State of Michigan over three years

Unanimous

Michigan Senate vote on SB 18 after testimony

There is no moral justification for why orphans should have to pay their own way. They are not in foster care by any fault of their own — and they certainly should not be asked to pay their own bill. — Alex Adams, U.S. HHS · May 2026

02 / About

Founder. Writer. Advocate.

Justin Kasieta, holding his 2022 Daniel Rosenthal Legislative Intern Award certificate

Justin Kasieta Atlanta · U.P. of Michigan

I'm a founder and writer working at the intersection of foster care, public policy, and capital. I lost my father at 13, entered foster care with my four siblings, and learned how the systems meant to protect kids in care quietly take from them.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, I went into corporate investment banking. In parallel I built The Orphan Tax, testified before the Michigan Senate in support of SB 18, and worked with the Children's Advocacy Institute to take the issue federal. In early 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told every state to end the practice — the first federal action of its kind.

I write about what I'm learning along the way: capital, child welfare, and the strange middle ground between them.

03 / The newsletter

An essay every week or two.

From the newsletter justinkasieta.substack.com →

Loading posts…

04 / Questions

What people ask.

What is the orphan tax?

The "orphan tax" is the practice by which U.S. states cash the federal Social Security survivor benefits and veterans benefits owed to children in foster care, using the money to reimburse themselves for the cost of that child's care. The result: children whose parents have died are made to pay their own foster-care bills, often without their knowledge. I lost roughly $18,000 of my father's survivor benefits to the State of Michigan this way before I aged out of care in 2019. More at theorphantax.org.

Has the practice been ended?

Partially. After Michigan's SB 18 passed the State Senate unanimously, and following national advocacy by the Children's Advocacy Institute and youth in care, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued federal guidance in early 2026 directing every state to end the practice. Implementation varies state by state — the work to make the reforms permanent continues.

Where can I read your writing?

I publish a newsletter on Substack at justinkasieta.substack.com — short essays, weekly-ish, on foster care reform, the financial system, and what I'm learning building things at the seam between policy and capital.

Are you available for speaking, press, or advocacy collaboration?

Yes. I've testified before the Michigan Senate, submitted written testimony in Kansas, and worked with national press including NPR, The Detroit News, CBS, and Michigan Public. For speaking, press, or advocacy work, reach me at justin@justinkasieta.com.

How can I support the campaign?

Visit theorphantax.org to learn about state-by-state reform efforts, contact your state legislators, and subscribe to the newsletter for ongoing updates. Sharing the work moves state legislatures.

05 / Press

Where the work has shown up.

2026 NPR / Michigan Public Trump administration tells states to end the "orphan tax" on foster kids. 2023 NPR These kids used to get the bill for their own foster care. Now that's changing. 2024 The Detroit News Michigan takes some foster kids' federal benefits to pay for their care. A senator is trying to stop that. 2024 CBS Detroit Michigan bill aiming to improve outcomes for foster youth sees movement in state legislature. 2024 Michigan Senate Written testimony in support of SB 18 — Committee on Housing & Human Services. 2022 FosterClub Biography & Blavin Scholar profile — University of Michigan.

Notes on policy, capital, and foster care.