SENATE, No. 676

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 1996

By Senator MARTIN

An Act concerning eligibility for the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly and Disabled" program and amending P.L.1975, c.194.

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

    1. Section 2 of P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-21) is amended to read as follows:

    2. a. Any resident of this State who is either a recipient of disability insurance benefits under Title II of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.§401 et seq.) or 65 years of age and over and whose annual income is less than $16,624 if single or, if married, whose annual income combined with that of his spouse is less than $20,383, or, if married and has a dependent child under the age of 18 residing with him, whose annual income combined with that of his spouse is less than $22,000, shall be eligible for "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" if he is not otherwise qualified for assistance under P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.). Annual income shall not include gain from the sale of a principal residence that is excluded from gross income pursuant to N.J.S.54A:6-9.

    b. Beginning January 1, [1996] 1995 and annually thereafter, the income eligibility limits provided in subsection a. of this section shall increase by the amount of the maximum Social Security benefit cost-of-living increase for that year for single and married persons, respectively. The commissioner shall adopt the new income limits annually by regulation pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).

(cf. P.L.1995, c.27, s.1)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill allows a married couple, whose annual income is less than $22,000 and who are either recipients of disability insurance benefits under Title II of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.§401 et seq.) or 65 years of age and over, and have a dependent child under the age of 18 residing with them, to be eligible for benefits under the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program.

Increases income eligibility limits for PAAD under certain conditions.