LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Clark County is sounding the alarm about a growing backlog of Social Security number applications for children in foster care. The backlog has grown to nearly 1,300 children still waiting.
Hundreds of Clark County foster children cannot get Social Security numbers because of a dispute between the county and the Social Security Administration over accepting electronic records. County leaders say the delay can affect children’s access to health care, federal benefits, jobs and, in some cases, permanent family placements.
“In terms of Social Security benefits, those are benefits that those children are entitled to,” said Abbie Frierson, Clark County deputy county manager.
County noticed problem last December
The county said it first noticed a problem last December, after the Social Security Administration stopped accepting electronic records. Documents including immunization records, court orders and filings have been rejected, preventing the county from obtaining a Social Security number and blocking children from key resources.
The Social Security Administration notified Clark County Family Services that applications must include records physically certified by the custodian of the record. County officials say the system has operated under an electronic records system since 2010, and the discrepancy has caused the backlog, as well as created barriers to enrolling in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, family reunification services, and more.
“That could be preventing some youth from being reunited with family out of state. That could prevent some youth from getting their first job. It could prevent some youth from leaving our care with all of the documents they need to be successful adults,” Frierson said.
Asked if the situation is frustrating, Frierson said: “Yes. We’ve been trying for nearly a year now to get this resolved. And I think we really need to come up with a solution for these kids.”
State lawmakers sent letter to federal government
This summer, as the county saw the backlog mounting, it called on state lawmakers to intervene. Rep. Steven Horsford and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto sent a joint letter earlier this month appealing to the Social Security Administration on behalf of county officials. In the letter, the lawmakers demanded the Social Security Administration immediately process all pending applications and resolve the discrepancy by the end of 2026. They also asked the administration to provide a written response within 10 business days and give regular updates on the backlog.
As a result, only 19 of the nearly 1,300 applications were processed.
“I’ve been with Family Services or representing the agency since 2010, and I’ve never had this situation happen before. We’ve never had an issue getting Social Security cards,” Frierson said.
To date, lawmakers say they haven’t agreed on a workable solution, but they continue working toward a permanent one.
The county says it is currently picking up any additional costs associated with the backlog and will work to absorb financial burdens for families wishing to foster.
“The number will only continue to grow at this rate. And, as I said, each of those applications is a child who’s in our care, who we owe it to, to get what they need,” Frierson said.
No resolution has been presented. The county hopes the administration will accept the documents and then expedite the process for the children affected.
The county says there is still a critical need for foster parents, with more than 3,400 children in county care.
FOX5 has reached out to the Social Security Administration for a response.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
