Connecticut 2024 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate Bipartisan · 9 D · 5 R cosponsors

SB 344 — AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN FEDERAL VETERANS' BENEFITS AND INCOME ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

Last action — ON CONSENT CALENDAR

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

This bill died with 2024 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

407 added · 298 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Senate Bill 344 specifies that the state will not count certain federal Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits when assessing veterans' income for programs like Medicare savings and medical assistance. This change is important because it helps ensure that veterans and their surviving spouses can access vital support without being penalized by their pension income. By clarifying these benefits as disregarded for income eligibility, the bill aims to enhance financial support for those who have served in the military.

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General Assembly Raised Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
344 February Session, 2024 LCO No.
164 February Session, 2024 Substitute Senate Bill No.
2208 Referred to Committee on VETERANS' AND MILITARY AFFAIRS Introduced by:
344 Senate, March 28, 2024 The Committee on Veterans' and Military Affairs reported through SEN.
(VA) AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN 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 CERTAIN FEDERAL VETERANS' BENEFITS AND INCOME ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) To the extent permissible by federal law, the Commissioner of Social Services shall disregard all federal [Aid and Attendance] pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Administration that are granted to a veteran or the surviving spouse of such veteran, for which veteran or surviving spouse said department has decided that Aid and Attendance assistance is required, when determining income eligibility for the state's Medicare savings, medical assistance and energy assistance programs administered under section 17b-2.
(a) To the extent permissible by federal law, the Commissioner of Social Services shall disregard all federal non-service-connected, Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran or the surviving spouse of such veteran when determining income eligibility for the state's Medicare savings, medical assistance and energy assistance programs administered under section 17b-2.
LCO No.
sSB344 / File No.
2208 1 of 10 Raised Bill No.344 Sec.
164 1 sSB344 File No.
164 Sec.
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall disregard from income (1) [Aid and Attendance] all federal pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined [under] in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, for which veteran or surviving spouse said department has decided that Aid and Attendance assistance is required, and (2) any tax refund or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit to the same extent such refund or advance payment would be disregarded under 26 USC 6409 in any federal program or state or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds.
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall disregard from income (1) all federal non-service- connected, Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined [under] in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, and (2) any tax refund or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit to the same extent such refund or advance payment would be disregarded under 26 USC 6409 in any federal program or state or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds.
LCO No.
Sec.
2208 2 of 10 Raised Bill No.344 Sec.
Subsection (c) of section 17b-191 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2024):
Subsection (c) of section 17b-191 of the 2024 supplement to the sSB344 / File No.
(c)To beeligiblefor cashassistance under theprogram,apersonshall (1) be (A) eighteen years of age or older;
164 2 sSB344 File No.
164 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2024):
(c)To beeligiblefor cash assistance under theprogram, a personshall (1) be (A) eighteen years of age or older;
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income (A) [Aid andAttendance]allfederal pensionbenefits administeredby theUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, for which veteran or surviving spouse said department has decided that Aid and Attendance assistance is required;
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income (A) all federal non-service-connected, Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27- 103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran;
TheCommissionerofSocialServicesshallincreaseincomedisregards used to determine eligibility by theDepartment ofSocialServicesforthe federal Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, the Specified Low-Income LCO No.
(a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall increase income disregards used to determine eligibility by the Department of Social Services for the federal Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and the Qualifying Individual programs, administered in accordance with the provisions of 42 USC sSB344 / File No.
2208 3 of 10 Raised Bill No.344 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 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.
164 3 sSB344 File No.
The commissioner shall not apply an asset test for eligibility under the Medicare Savings Program.
164 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 level qualifying 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 theSpecifiedLow-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.
The commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income [Aid and Attendance] all federal pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, for which veteran or surviving spouse said department has decided that Aid and Attendance assistance is required.
(b)The commissioner shallnot apply anasset test for eligibilityunder the Medicare Savings Program.
The Commissioner of Social Services, pursuant to section 17b-10, may implement policies and procedures to administer the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner prints notice of the intent to adopt the regulations on the department's Internet web site and the eRegulations System not later than twenty days after the date of implementation.
The commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income all federal non-service-connected, Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran.
The Commissioner of Social Services, pursuant to section 17b- 10,mayimplementpoliciesandproceduresto administertheprovisions of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner prints notice of the intent to adopt the regulations on the department's Internet web site and the eRegulations System not later than twenty days after the date of implementation.
(a) Medical assistance shall be provided for any otherwise eligible person (1) whose income, including any available support from legally liable relatives and the income of the person's spouse or dependent child, is not more than one hundred forty-three per cent, pending LCO No.
(a) (1) Medical assistance shall be provided for any otherwise eligible person [(1)] (A) whose income, including any available support from legally liable relatives and the income of the person's spouse or dependent child, is not more than one hundred forty-three per cent, pending approvalofa federalwaiver appliedfor pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, of the benefit amount paid to a person with no income sSB344 / File No.
2208 4 of 10 Raised Bill No.
164 4 sSB344 File No.
344 approval of a federal waiver applied for pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, of the benefit amount paid to a person with no income under the temporary family assistance program, and (2) if such person is an institutionalized individual as defined in Section 1917 of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(h)(3), and has not made an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property for less than fair market value for thepurpose ofestablishing eligibility for benefitsor assistance under this section.
164 under the temporary family assistance program, and [(2)] (B) if such person is an institutionalized individual as defined in Section 1917 of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(h)(3), and has not made an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property for less than fair market value for the purpose of establishing eligibility for benefits or assistance under this section.
Any disposition of property made on behalf of an applicant or recipient or 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.
Any disposition of property made on behalf of an applicant or recipient or 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 law shall be attributed to such applicant, recipient or spouse.
A disposition of property ordered by a court shallbeevaluated inaccordance withthe standardsappliedto any other such disposition for the purpose of determining eligibility.
A disposition of property ordered by a court shall be evaluated in accordance with the standards applied to any other such disposition for the purpose of determining eligibility.
The commissioner shall establish the standards for eligibility for medical assistance at one hundred forty-three per cent of the benefit amount paid to a household of equal size with no income under the temporary family assistance program.
(2) The commissioner shall establish the standards for eligibility for medical assistance at one hundred forty-three per cent of the benefit amount paid to a household of equal size with no income under the temporary family assistance program.
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income [Aid and Attendance] all federal pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, for which veteran or surviving spouse said department has decided that Aid and Attendance assistance is required.
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income all federal non-service-connected, Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran.
Except as provided in section 17b-277 and section 17b-292, the medical assistance program shall provide coverage to persons under the age of nineteen with household income up to one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit and to persons under the age of nineteen, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit, and their parents and needy caretaker relatives, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred fifty- LCO No.
Except as provided in section 17b-277 and section 17b-292, the medical assistance program shall provide coverage to persons under the age of nineteen with household income up to one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit and to persons under the age of nineteen, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit, and their parents and needy caretaker relatives, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred fifty-five per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit.
2208 5 of 10 Raised Bill No.344 five per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit.
Such levels shall be based on the regional differences in such benefit sSB344 / File No.
Such levels shall be based on the regional differences in such benefit amount, if applicable, unless such levels based on regional differences are not in conformance with federal law.
164 5 sSB344 File No.
164 amount, if applicable, unless such levels based on regional differences are not in conformance with federal law.
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 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.
(3) 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 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.
For coverage dates on or after January 1, 2014, the department shall use the modified adjusted gross income financial eligibility rules set forth in Section 1902(e)(14) of the Social Security Act and the implementing regulations to determine eligibility for HUSKY A, HUSKY BandHUSKY Dapplicants,as defined in section 17b-290.
For coverage dates on or after January 1, 2014, the department shall use the modified adjusted gross income financial eligibility rules set forth in Section 1902(e)(14) of the Social Security Act and the implementing regulations to determine eligibility for HUSKY A, HUSKY B and HUSKY D applicants, as defined in section 17b-290.
Persons who are determined ineligible for assistance pursuant to this section shall be provided a written statement notifying such persons of their ineligibility and advising such persons of their potential eligibility for one of the other insurance affordability programs as defined in 42 CFR 435.4.
Persons who are determined ineligible for assistance pursuant to this section shall be providedawrittenstatementnotifyingsuchpersonsoftheirineligibility and advising such persons of their potential eligibility for one of the other insurance affordability programs as defined in 42 CFR 435.4.
(a) Medical assistance shall be provided for any otherwise eligible person (1) whose income, including any available support from legally liable relatives and the income of the person's spouse or dependent child, is not more than one hundred five per cent of the federal poverty level, after any authorized income disregards, and (2) if such person is an institutionalized individual as defined in Section 1917 of the Social LCO No.
(a) (1) Medical assistance shall be provided for any otherwise eligible person [(1)] (A) whose income, including any available support from legally liable relatives and the income of the person's spouse or dependent child, is not more than one hundred five per cent of the federal poverty level, after any authorized income disregards, and [(2)] (B) if such person is an institutionalized individual as defined in Section 1917 of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(h)(3), and has not made sSB344 / File No.
2208 6 of 10 Raised Bill No.344 Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(h)(3), and has not made an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property for less than fair market value for thepurpose ofestablishing eligibility for benefitsor assistance under this section.
164 6 sSB344 File No.
164 an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property for less than fair market value for the purpose of establishing eligibility for benefits or assistance under this section.
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Any disposition of property made on behalf of an applicant or recipient or 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.
Any disposition of property made on behalf of an applicant or recipient or 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 law shall be attributed to such applicant, recipient or spouse.
A disposition of property ordered by a court shallbeevaluated inaccordance withthe standardsappliedto any other such disposition for the purpose of determining eligibility.
A disposition of property ordered by a court shall be evaluated in accordance with the standards applied to any other such disposition for the purpose of determining eligibility.
The commissioner shall establish the standards for eligibility for medical assistance at one hundred five per cent of the federal poverty level, after any authorized income disregards.
(2) The commissioner shall establish the standards for eligibility for medical assistance at one hundred five per cent of the federal poverty level, after any authorizedincome disregards.In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income all federal non-service-connected, Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27- 103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran.
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income [Aid and Attendance] all federal pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, for which veteran or surviving spouse said department has decided that AidandAttendanceassistanceisrequired.Exceptasprovidedinsection 17b-277 and section 17b-292, the medical assistance program shall provide coverage to persons under the age of nineteen with household income up to one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit and to persons under the age of nineteen, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit, and their parents and needy caretaker relatives, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred fifty-five per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit.
Except as provided in section 17b-277 and section 17b-292, the medical assistance program shall provide coverage to persons under the age of nineteen with household income up to one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit and to persons under the age of nineteen, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit, and their parents and needy caretaker relatives, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred fifty-five per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit.
Any income in excess of the applicable amounts shall be applied as may be required by LCO No.
Any income in excess of the applicable amounts shall be applied as may be required by said federal law, and assistance shall be granted for sSB344 / File No.
2208 7 of 10 Raised Bill No.344 said federal law, and assistance shall be granted for the balance of the cost of authorized medical assistance.
164 7 sSB344 File 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 eligibilityforbenefitsorassistance, (B)theeffectthathavingincomethat 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.
164 the balance of the cost of authorized medical assistance.
For coverage dates on or after January 1, 2014, the department shall use the modified adjusted gross income financial eligibility rules set forth in Section 1902(e)(14) of the Social Security Act and the implementing regulations to determine eligibility for HUSKYA, HUSKY BandHUSKY Dapplicants,asdefined in section 17b-290.
(3) 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 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.
Persons who are determined ineligible for assistance pursuant to this section shall be provided a written statement notifying such persons of their ineligibility and advising such persons of their potentialeligibilityforoneoftheotherinsuranceaffordabilityprograms as defined in 42 CFR 435.4.
For coverage dates on or after January 1, 2014, the department shall use the modified adjusted gross income financial eligibility rules set forth in Section 1902(e)(14) of the Social Security Act and the implementing regulations to determine eligibility for HUSKY A, HUSKY B and HUSKY D applicants, as defined in section 17b-290.
Persons who are determined ineligible for assistance pursuant to this section shall be providedawrittenstatementnotifyingsuchpersonsoftheirineligibility and advising such persons of their potential eligibility for one of the other insurance affordability programs as defined in 42 CFR 435.4.
(l) In determining eligibility for the programdescribed in this section, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income (1) [Aid andAttendance]allfederal pensionbenefits administeredby theUnited States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, for which veteran or surviving spouse said department has decided that Aid and Attendance assistance is required, and (2) any tax refund or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit to the same extent such refund or advance payment would be disregarded under 26 USC 6409 in any federal program or state or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds.
(l) In determining eligibility for the programdescribed in this section, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income (1) all federal non-service-connected, Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27- 103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, and (2) any tax refund or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit to the same extent such refund or advance payment would be disregarded under 26 USC 6409 in any federal program or state or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds.
LCO No.
Sec.
2208 8 of 10 Raised Bill No.
344 Sec.
Subsection (a) of section 17b-801 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2024):
Subsection (a) of section 17b-801 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, sSB344 / File No.
164 8 sSB344 File No.
164 2024, and applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, 2024):
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income [Aid and Attendance] all federal pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran, as defined under section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, for which veteran or surviving spouse saiddepartment hasdecidedthat AidandAttendance assistance is required.
In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall [not consider as] disregard from income all federal non-service-connected, Aid and Attendance and Housebound pension benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that are granted to a veteran,asdefined under section27-103,orthesurviving spouse ofsuch veteran.
3 July 1, 2024, and 17b-191(c) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, LCO No.
3 July 1, 2024, and 17b-191(c) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, Sec.
2208 9 of 10 Raised Bill No.
4 July 1, 2024, and 17b-256f applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, sSB344 / File No.
344 Sec.
164 9 sSB344 File No.
4 July 1, 2024, and 17b-256f applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, Sec.
164 Sec.
8 July 1, 2024, and 17b-801(a) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, Statement of Purpose:
8 July 1, 2024, and 17b-801(a) applicable to applications filed on or after July 1, Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
To disregard from income certain federal veterans' benefits when determining eligibility for certain public assistance programs.
Section 4 was divided into Subsecs.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
for clarity;
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except underlined.]e entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not LCO No.
and in Sections 5 and 6, Subsec.
2208 10 of 10
(a) was divided into Subdivs.
for clarity.
VA Joint Favorable Subst.
sSB344 / File No.
164 10 sSB344 File No.
164 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.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Social Services, Dept.
GF - Potential See Below See Below Cost Note:
GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill results in potential costs to the Department of Social Services (DSS) associated with disregarding certain U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-administered pensions and housebound allowances 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 potentially increases the number of individuals who could be eligible for various state assistance programs administered by DSS.
Relevant programs include Medicaid, Medicare Savings Program, State Supplemental Program, State Administered General Assistance, Temporary Family Assistance (TFA), Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, and Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.
For context, there were approximately 140,687 veterans in Connecticut on 9/30/23.
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.
sSB344 / File No.
164 11 sSB344 File No.
164 The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the number of veterans, their associated benefits and the income limits of relevant DSS programs.
sSB344 / File No.
164 12 sSB344 File No.
164 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 344 AN ACT CONCERNING CERTAIN 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 also cover U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)- administered pensions and housebound allowances (see BACKGROUND).
Under the bill, the income disregards apply to the following programs:
1.
Medicaid (§§ 1, 5 & 6);
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 (§ 7);
and 8.
State Appropriated Fuel Assistance Program (currently inactive) sSB344 / File No.
164 13 sSB344 File No.
164 (§ 8).
Under existing law, because a veteran’s or surviving spouse’s pension payments for disabilities (including aid and attendance and housebound allowance 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 calculate income limits (i.e., HUSKY A 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, 2024, and applicable to applications filed on or after that date, except a technical change is effective October 1, 2024.
BACKGROUND U.S.
VA-Administered Pensions The U.S.
VA-administered pension program provides monthly payments to wartime veterans who meet certain age or disability requirements, and whose net worth and income are within certain limits.
Qualifying disabilities do not need to be service-related.
Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance Individuals receiving a VA-administered pension may also receive aid and attendance benefits or housebound allowances, which both provide additional monthly payments.
Aid and attendance is for qualified veterans and surviving spouses who need assistance performing daily activities, are bedridden, have limited eyesight, or are in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity.
Housebound benefits are for individuals who spend most of their time in their homes sSB344 / File No.
164 14 sSB344 File No.
164 due to a permanent disability.
Related Bill HB 5402, favorably reported by the Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee, similarly disregards veterans’ income but does so for additional income sources and for additional benefit programs administered by the state or municipalities.
sHB 5001, favorably reported by the Aging Committee, requires DSS to establish a presumptive eligibility system for the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders.
COMMITTEE ACTION Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 20 Nay 0 (03/14/2024) sSB344 / File No.
164 15
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Action History

  1. ON CONSENT CALENDAR

  2. SENATE PASSED

  3. FILE NO. 164

  4. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 129

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

  6. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  7. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/27/24

  8. FILED WITH LCO

  9. Joint Favorable Substitute

  10. PUBLIC HEARING 0307

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

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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15 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 172 not signed on

Sponsors (15)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (172)

172 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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Votes

Senate Roll Call Vote

Passed 36 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 23000
Unaffiliated 3000
Republican 10000
Total 36000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (36)
Member Party Vote
Kevin C. Kelly — Yea
Lisa Seminara — Yea
Marilyn Moore — Yea
Bob Duff Democratic Yea
Catherine A. Osten Democratic Yea
Ceci Maher Democratic Yea
Christine Cohen Democratic Yea
Derek Slap Democratic Yea
Douglas McCrory Democratic Yea
Gary A. Winfield Democratic Yea
Herron Gaston Democratic Yea
James J. Maroney Democratic Yea
Jan Hochadel Democratic Yea
Joan V. Hartley Democratic Yea
John W. Fonfara Democratic Yea
Jorge Cabrera Democratic Yea
Julie Kushner Democratic Yea
MD Rahman Democratic Yea
Mae Flexer Democratic Yea
Martha Marx Democratic Yea
Martin M. Looney Democratic Yea
Matthew L. Lesser Democratic Yea
Norman Needleman Democratic Yea
Patricia Billie Miller Democratic Yea
Rick Lopes Democratic Yea
Saud Anwar Democratic Yea
Eric C. Berthel Republican Yea
Heather S. Somers Republican Yea
Henri Martin Republican Yea
Jeff Gordon Republican Yea
John A. Kissel Republican Yea
Paul Cicarella Republican Yea
Rob Sampson Republican Yea
Ryan Fazio Republican Yea
Stephen G. Harding Republican Yea
Tony Hwang Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety housing veterans
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 344?
SB 344 is sponsored by Martha Marx (Democratic), Saud Anwar (Democratic), Devin R. Carney (Republican), Anthony L. Nolan (Democratic), Tom Delnicki (Republican), Anne M. Hughes (Democratic), Julie Kushner (Democratic), Josh Elliott (Democratic), Irene M. Haines (Republican), John-Michael Parker (Democratic), Jane M. Garibay (Democratic), Tony Hwang (Republican), Matt Blumenthal (Democratic), Jeff Gordon (Republican), and Kevin C. Kelly.
What is the current status of SB 344?
This bill died with 2024 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 344?
Track SB 344 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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