Connecticut 2023 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 2 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 59 — AN ACT CONCERNING FEDERAL VETERANS' BENEFITS AND INCOME ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

Last action — HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 547

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

269 added · 161 removed

269 line(s) added, 161 removed.

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General Assembly Committee Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
59 January Session, 2023 LCO No.
31 January Session, 2023 Substitute Senate Bill No.
3655 Referred to Committee on VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS Introduced by:
59 Senate, March 7, 2023 The Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs reported through SEN.
(VA) AN ACT CONCERNING FEDERAL VETERANS' BENEFITS AND INCOME ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
MARX of the 20th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING FEDERAL VETERANS' BENEFITS AND INCOME ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
Subsection (a) of section 17b-28i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
Subsection (a) of section 17b-28i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2023):
Subsection (a) of section 17b-104 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
Subsection (a) of section 17b-104 of the general statutes is sSB59 / File No.
LCO No.
31 1 sSB59 File No.
3655 1 of 7 Committee Bill No.59 (a)The Commissioner ofSocialServicesshalladminister theprogram of state supplementation to the Supplemental Security Income Program provided for by the Social Security Act and state law.
31 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2023):
(a)The Commissioner ofSocialServicesshalladminister theprogram of state supplementation to the Supplemental Security Income Program provided for by the Social Security Act and state law.
Subsection (c) of section 17b-191 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
Subsection (c) of section 17b-191 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2023):
(c)To beeligiblefor cashassistance under theprogram,apersonshall LCO No.
sSB59 / File No.
3655 2 of 7 Committee Bill No.59 (1) be (A) eighteen years of age or older;
31 2 sSB59 File No.
(B) a minor found by a court to beemancipated pursuant to section46b-150;
31 (c)To beeligiblefor cashassistance under theprogram,apersonshall (1) be (A) eighteen years of age or older;
(B) a minor found by a court to beemancipatedpursuant to section46b-150;
Section 17b-256f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
Section 17b-256f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2023):
TheCommissionerofSocialServicesshallincreaseincomedisregards used to determine eligibility by theDepartment ofSocialServicesforthe federal Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and the Qualifying Individual programs, administered in accordance with the provisions of 42 USC 1396d(p), by such amounts that shall result in persons with income that is (1) less than two hundred eleven per cent of the federal poverty levelqualifying for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, (2) at or above two hundred eleven per cent of the federal poverty level but less than two hundred thirty-one per cent of the federal poverty level qualifying for the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program, and (3) at or LCO No.
TheCommissionerofSocialServicesshallincreaseincomedisregards used to determine eligibility by theDepartment ofSocialServicesforthe federal Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and the Qualifying Individual programs, administered in accordance with the provisions of 42 USC 1396d(p), by such amounts that shall result in persons with income that is (1) less than two hundred eleven per cent of the federal poverty levelqualifying for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, (2) at or above two hundred eleven per cent of the federal poverty level but less than two hundred thirty-one per cent of the federal poverty level qualifying for sSB59 / File No.
3655 3 of 7 Committee Bill No.59 above two hundred thirty-one per cent of the federal poverty level but less than two hundred forty-six per cent of the federal poverty level qualifying for the Qualifying Individual program.
31 3 sSB59 File No.
31 the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary program, and (3) at or above two hundred thirty-one per cent of the federal poverty level but less than two hundred forty-six per cent of the federal poverty level qualifying for the Qualifying Individual program.
Subsection (a) of section 17b-261 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
Subsection (a) of section 17b-261 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2023):
Any disposition of property made on behalf of an applicant or recipient or LCO No.
Any disposition of property made on behalf of an applicant or recipient or sSB59 / File No.
3655 4 of 7 Committee Bill No.59 the spouse of an applicant or recipient by a guardian, conservator, person authorized to make such disposition pursuant to a power of attorney or other person so authorized by lawshall be attributed to such applicant, recipient or spouse.
31 4 sSB59 File No.
31 the spouse of an applicant or recipient by a guardian, conservator, person authorized to make such disposition pursuant to a power of attorney or other person so authorized by lawshall be attributed to such applicant, recipient or spouse.
The Commissioner of Social Services shall provide applicants for assistance under this section, at the time of application, with a written statement advising them of (A) the effect of an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property on eligibility for benefits or assistance, (B) the LCO No.
The Commissioner of Social Services shall provide applicants for assistance under this section, at the time of application, with a written statement advising them of (A) the effect of an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property on eligibility for benefits or assistance, (B) the effect that having income that exceeds the limits prescribed in this sSB59 / File No.
3655 5 of 7 Committee Bill No.59 effect that having income that exceeds the limits prescribed in this subsection will have with respect to program eligibility, and (C) the availability of, and eligibility for, services provided by the Connecticut Home Visiting System, established pursuant to section 17b-751b.
31 5 sSB59 File No.
31 subsection will have with respect to program eligibility, and (C) the availability of, and eligibility for, services provided by the Connecticut Home Visiting System, established pursuant to section 17b-751b.
Subsection (l) of section 17b-342 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
Subsection (l) of section 17b-342 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2023):
Subsection (a) of section 17b-801 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
Subsection (a) of section 17b-801 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2023):
(a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall administer a state- appropriated fuel assistance program to provide, within available appropriations, fuel assistance to elderly and disabled persons whose household gross income is above the income eligibility guidelines for LCO No.
(a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall administer a state- appropriated fuel assistance program to provide, within available appropriations, fuel assistance to elderly and disabled persons whose household gross income is above the income eligibility guidelines for the Connecticut energy assistance program but does not exceed two hundred per cent of federal poverty guidelines.
3655 6 of 7 Committee Bill No.
The income eligibility sSB59 / File No.
59 the Connecticut energy assistance program but does not exceed two hundred per cent of federal poverty guidelines.
31 6 sSB59 File No.
The income eligibility guidelines for the state-appropriated fuel assistance program shall be determined, annually, by the Commissioner of Social Services, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.
31 guidelines for the state-appropriated fuel assistance program shall be determined, annually, by the Commissioner of Social Services, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.
Section 1 July 1, 2023 17b-28i(a) Sec.
Section 1 July 1, 2023, and 17b-28i(a) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, Sec.
2 July 1, 2023 17b-104(a) Sec.
2 July 1, 2023, and 17b-104(a) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, Sec.
3 July 1, 2023 17b-191(c) Sec.
3 July 1, 2023, and 17b-191(c) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, Sec.
4 July 1, 2023 17b-256f Sec.
4 July 1, 2023, and 17b-256f applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, July 1, 2023, and Sec.
5 July 1, 2023 17b-261(a) Sec.
5 17b-261(a) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, Sec.
6 July 1, 2023 17b-342(l) Sec.
6 July 1, 2023, and 17b-342(l) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, sSB59 / File No.
7 July 1, 2023 17b-801(a) Statement of Purpose:
31 7 sSB59 File No.
To disregard federal veterans' benefits from income eligibility determinations for certain public assistance programs.
31 Sec.
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[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
7 July 1, 2023, and 17b-801(a) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, VA Joint Favorable Subst.
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] Co-Sponsors:
sSB59 / File No.
SEN.
31 8 sSB59 File No.
KELLY, 21st Dist.
31 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
S.B.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
59 LCO No.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
3655 7 of 7
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 24 $ FY 25 $ Social Services, Dept.
GF - Cost Indeterminate Indeterminate Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill will result in a cost to the Departmentof SocialServices (DSS) associated with disregarding any federal benefits for veterans or their surviving spouses for purposes of determining income eligibility.
By reducing the income that is currently counted towards income limits, the bill increases the number of individuals who could be eligible under the following DSS programs:
Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Program, State Supplement (Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled), State Administered General Assistance, Temporary Family Assistance, Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, and energy assistance.
For context, there were approximately 150,000 veterans in Connecticut on 9/30/22.
The number of veterans participating in the assistance programs specified by the bill is unknown.
The impact of the billisdependent on(1)thenumber ofveteransparticipating ineachDSS program, (2) the benefit amount being disregarded, and (3) the income limits of the program.
The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.
sSB59 / File No.
31 9 sSB59 File No.
31 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 59 AN ACT CONCERNING FEDERAL VETERANS' BENEFITS AND INCOME ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
SUMMARY Under current law, the Department of Social Services (DSS) must disregard a veteran’s or surviving spouse’s federal aid and attendance pension benefits when calculating income for certain (1) means-tested state assistance programs and (2) federally funded assistance programs, to the extent allowed by federal law.
This bill expands the income disregard to include any U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)- administered federal benefits (see BACKGROUND).
Under the bill, the income disregards apply to the following programs:
1.
Medicaid (§§ 1 & 5), 2.
Medicare Savings Program (§§ 1 & 4), 3.
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (§ 1), 4.
State Administered General Assistance (§ 3), 5.
State Supplement Program (§ 2), 6.
Temporary Family Assistance (§ 2), 7.
Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (§ 6), and 8.
State Appropriated Fuel Assistance Program (currently inactive) (§ 7).
Under existing law, because a veteran’s disability compensation payments are not subject to federal or state income tax, they are disregarded when determining eligibility for Medicaid coverage groups that must use federal modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) rules to sSB59 / File No.
31 10 sSB59 File No.
31 calculate income limits (i.e., HUSKY A, B, and D).
For coverage groups that do not use MAGI rules (HUSKY C and the Medicare Savings Program), and other assistance programs listed above, current law only requires DSS to disregard aid and attendance benefits.
As under existing law, DSS may apply to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to amend the state Medicaid plan or seek a waiver from federal law, if necessary, to exempt these veterans’ benefits (CGS § 17b-28i).
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2023, and applicable to applications filed after that date.
BACKGROUND Aid and Attendance The VA’s aid and attendance benefit is a monthly payment added to a VA pension for qualified veterans and survivors who need assistance performing daily activities, are bedridden, have limited eyesight, or are in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity.
U.S.
VA-Administered Benefits The VA administers numerous benefits for veterans (and in some cases spouses, dependents, and survivors), including (1) pension benefits (i.e., veterans and survivors’ pensions and aid and attendance and housebound allowances);
(2) disability benefits;
(3) health care;
and (4) education benefits.
COMMITTEE ACTION Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 19 Nay 0 (02/16/2023) sSB59 / File No.
31 11
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Action History

  1. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 547

  2. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  3. ON CONSENT CALENDAR

  4. SENATE PASSED

  5. FILE NO. 31

  6. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 48

  7. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  8. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  9. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/06/23

  10. FILED WITH LCO

  11. Joint Favorable Substitute

  12. PUBLIC HEARING 0207

  13. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Veterans' and Military Affairs

  14. DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

  15. Vote to Draft

  16. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Veterans' and Military Affairs

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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6 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 181 not signed on

Sponsors (6)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (181)

181 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 59?
SB 59 is sponsored by Anthony L. Nolan (Democratic), Tony Hwang (Republican), Delany, Hubert D., Patricia Billie Miller (Democratic), Foncello, Martin, and Kevin C. Kelly.
What is the current status of SB 59?
This bill died with 2023 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 59?
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