Signed by Governor Tom Corbett

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that repeals the General Assistance cash program.

Highlights:

• Repeals the General Assistance cash program, effective August 1, 2012 (Sec. 3).

• Continues the General Assistance-Related Categorically Needy Medical Assistance program (Sec. 3).

• Limits eligibility for the medical assistance program to individuals who have lived in Pennsylvania continuously for 90 days preceding their eligibility and who are eligible for federally-funded assistance (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that an individual is “medically needy” if he or she meets the certain criteria including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 6):
• The individual is under the age of 21;
• The individual is at least 59 years of age or older;
• The individual is pregnant;
• The individual is disabled and is receiving social security benefits or is waiting for the determination of eligibility for the benefits; or
• The individual is working at least 100 hours per month earning at least minimum wage.

• Requires an individual to apply for 3 jobs a week in order to be eligible to apply for the medical assistance program, unless the applicant can demonstrate a “good cause” for not complying (Sec. 4).

• Requires an applicant for the medical assistance program to continue seeking employment until he or she has secured paid employment of at least 20 hours per week (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that if a cash assistance recipient does not meet certain requirements then his or her entire assistance group will be disqualified from the program as follows (Sec. 6):
• Following the first violation, the recipient has 90 days to comply before the assistance group is disqualified;
• Following the second violation, the recipient has 60 days to comply before the assistance group is disqualified; and
• Following the third violation, the assistance group will be permanently disqualified.

• Establishes a block grant pilot program that allocates funds to county based-human services departments to meet service needs of certain county residents, including but not limited to, the following (Sec. 12):
• Individuals with intellectual disabilities;
• Individuals in need of drug and alcohol treatment services;
• Individuals who are homeless or in immediate risk of becoming homeless; and
• Other individuals who are eligible based on income or age criteria.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that repeals the General Assistance cash program.

Highlights:

• Repeals the General Assistance cash program, effective August 1, 2012 (Sec. 3).

• Continues the General Assistance-Related Categorically Needy Medical Assistance program (Sec. 3).

• Limits eligibility for the medical assistance program to individuals who have lived in Pennsylvania continuously for 90 days preceding their eligibility and who are eligible for federally-funded assistance (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that an individual is “medically needy” if he or she meets the certain criteria including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 6):
• The individual is under the age of 21;
• The individual is at least 59 years of age or older;
• The individual is pregnant;
• The individual is disabled and is receiving social security benefits or is waiting for the determination of eligibility for the benefits; or
• The individual is working at least 100 hours per month earning at least minimum wage.

• Requires an individual to apply for 3 jobs a week in order to be eligible to apply for the medical assistance program, unless the applicant can demonstrate a “good cause” for not complying (Sec. 4).

• Requires an applicant for the medical assistance program to continue seeking employment until he or she has secured paid employment of at least 20 hours per week (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that if a cash assistance recipient does not meet certain requirements then his or her entire assistance group will be disqualified from the program as follows (Sec. 6):
• Following the first violation, the recipient has 90 days to comply before the assistance group is disqualified;
• Following the second violation, the recipient has 60 days to comply before the assistance group is disqualified; and
• Following the third violation, the assistance group will be permanently disqualified.

• Establishes a block grant pilot program that allocates funds to county based-human services departments to meet service needs of certain county residents, including but not limited to, the following (Sec. 12):
• Individuals with intellectual disabilities;
• Individuals in need of drug and alcohol treatment services;
• Individuals who are homeless or in immediate risk of becoming homeless; and
• Other individuals who are eligible based on income or age criteria.

Full Bill Text