ASSEMBLY, No. 500

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblyman ROBERTS

An Act concerning reduced rate eligibility by municipal and county utilities authorities for certain senior citizens and the permanently disabled and amending P.L.1992, c.215.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Section 1 of P.L.1992, c.215 (C.40:14B-22.2) is amended to read as follows:

    1. Any municipal or county authority may establish within its district rates or schedules which provide for a reduction or total abatement of the rents, rates, fees, or other charges which are charged to or collected from any person residing in the district of the age of 65 or more years, or less than 65 years of age and permanently and totally disabled according to the provisions of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.§401 et seq., or disabled under any federal law administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs where the disability is rated as 60% or higher, having a total annual income not in excess of[$10,000] $15,700 per year if single, or having a total annual income combined with that of a spouse not in excess of $19,250 per year if married, or annually eligible to receive assistance under the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" (PAAD) program, P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-20 et seq.).

(cf: P.L.1992, c.215, s.1)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill changes the income limits for eligibility for certain reduced utility rates by municipal and county utilities authorities for senior citizens and the permanently disabled to match the income limits for the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" (PAAD) program, P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-20 et seq.). This change will permit more senior and disabled persons to qualify for reduced rates as PAAD income limits are increased and will also simplify proof of eligibility.

Changes income limits for reduced rates for senior and disabled persons by MUAs to correspond to PAAD eligibility.