Bill > A02242

This bill modifies existing social services law to allow individuals receiving disability-based medical assistance benefits to continue receiving those benefits after marriage, even if getting married would normally make them ineligible. Specifically, the bill ensures that an unmarried disabled individual who is currently receiving medical assistance can maintain their benefits at the individual rate if they marry someone who is not eligible for the same medical assistance. The term "disabled" is defined as having a medically determinable impairment of sufficient severity and duration to qualify for benefits under a specific section of the Social Security Act. The bill aims to protect disabled individuals from losing critical medical assistance simply because they choose to get married, allowing them to continue paying the individual monthly premium rate and maintain their existing benefits, provided they continue to meet the original eligibility criteria. This change provides important financial and healthcare stability for disabled individuals who might otherwise be penalized for entering into marriage.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2242