Bill > S493

Introduced Session

This bill would increase the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) to $100 for residents of nursing homes, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers. Currently, the following states provide a higher PNA than New Jersey's existing $50 monthly amount: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington. This allowance is intended for residents to spend at their discretion on items such as telephone expenses, a meal out with friends, cards to send to family, reading materials, or hobbies. The PNA provides residents the opportunity to participate in activities beyond those provided by the facility, to remain connected with family and friends, and to obtain basic items such as clothing and shoes. According to budget language in the FY 2022 Appropriations Act, despite existing statutory provisions, the minimum monthly PNA provided to persons residing in nursing facilities, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers, who are eligible for Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, is $50. This bill would double the PNA to $100 per month. For Medicaid recipients, the PNA is the monthly sum of money that residents may retain from their personal income. Any income above the allowance is applied toward the cost of their care. In the case of residents eligible to receive SSI public assistance, a federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people with little to no income, the federal government provides up to $30 a month for small comfort items not provided by the facility. The State currently supplements the federal allowance by $20 to ensure that SSI recipients residing in nursing facilities, State and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers receive a total PNA per month equal to that of Medicaid recipients, or $50. Under the bill, absent any changes in the federal allowance, the State would be responsible for a $70 per month supplemental payment for each SSI recipient.

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Owen Henry (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document