SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1350

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 20, 1996

      The Senate Health Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1350.

      This bill expands the income eligibility requirements for the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program (PAAD). Under current law, the annual income eligibility requirement is the same whether or not PAAD recipients have any dependent children. This bill would increase the annual income eligibility requirement for single individuals with dependent children to $19,000 with one dependent child, to $22,000 with two dependent children, and to $25,000 with three or more dependent children; and for married couples to $23,000 with one dependent child, to $26,000 with two dependent children, and to $29,000 with three or more dependent children. The bill would define a dependent child as a child who is dependent pursuant to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

      The bill would also allow these persons to qualify for the Lifeline Credit Program established under P.L.1979, c.197, (C.48:2-29.15 et seq.) or the Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Program established under P.L.1981, c.210 (C.48:2-29.30 et seq.), and the "Hearing Aid Assistance for the Aged and Disabled" program established under P.L.1987, c.298 (C.30:4D-36 et seq.), since eligibility for those programs is dependent upon PAAD eligibility.