CT SB00801

Commissioner of Social Services shall disregard all federal nonservice-connected pension benefits (basic pension, Aid and Attendance benefit, Housebound benefit) when determining income eligibility for Medicare savings, medical assistance, and energy assistance programs, effective July 1, 2019.

Veterans and surviving spouses of veterans are excluded from income calculations for cash assistance eligibility under the temporary family assistance program, with asset limits of $250 for individuals or $500 for married couples.

Income disregards for veteran nonservice-connected pension benefits are extended to the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary, and Qualifying Individual programs with no asset test applied.

Medical assistance eligibility expanded to persons with income up to 143% of temporary family assistance benefit amounts, and surviving spouses and dependents included in coverage at specified income thresholds without asset limits.

Veteran pension benefits excluded from income calculations for state supplementation programs, Supplemental Security Income, and state-appropriated fuel assistance programs for elderly and disabled persons earning up to 200% of federal poverty guidelines.