Bill > LD834

Introduced Session

This bill amends the 1974 State Supplemental Income Act in the following ways. 1. It changes the minimum state supplemental income benefit from $8 per month for an individual and $12 per month for a couple to $65 per month for an individual and an amount per couple that is consistent with the amount provided to an individual and to a couple under current law, which requires benefits for a couple to be 150% of the benefit for an individual, making the new amount $97.50 per month for a couple. 2. It provides that, starting October 1, 2026, the state supplemental income benefit must be annually increased by the cost-of-living adjustment to the federal payment standard. 3. It provides that, in the priority sequence by which the Department of Health and Human Services must budget and authorize for expenditure appropriations available for benefits, the cost-of-living adjustment must have priority immediately after the minimum payment. 4. It updates the declared intent of the Act to provide that, if it is proposed that benefits provided are to be increased on any future date, cost-of-living adjustments be included in the benefits to be increased rather than increasing the benefits provided to a beneficiary who resides in certain living arrangements. 5. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that eligible individuals residing in nursing homes have a monthly amount for personal needs equal to at least 3 times the amount of the state supplemental income benefit.

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Committee Categories

Mike Tipping (D)*,  Joe Baldacci (D),  Henry Ingwersen (D),  Marianne Moore (R),  Laurie Osher (D),  Amy Roeder (D), 

CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. (on 06/25/2025)

Official Document