SENATE, No. 722

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 15, 1996

By Senators HAINES and SINGER

An Act concerning eligibility for the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged 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, 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. Annual income shall not include veterans' entitlements, which include, but are not limited to, veterans' disability payments and veterans' pensions provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    b. Beginning January 1, 1996 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 on the 60th day after enactment.

STATEMENT

    This bill provides that in determining eligibility for the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" (PAAD) program, P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-20 et seq.), annual income shall not include veterans' entitlements, such as veterans' disability payments and veterans' pensions which are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Excludes veterans' entitlements from income for determination of PAAD eligibility.