ASSEMBLY AGING AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 3908
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JUNE 24, 2024
The Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee reports
favorably Assembly Bill No. 3908.
This bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA),
from the current rate of $50, pursuant to the FY 2024 Appropriations
Act, to $140 for residents of nursing homes, State and county
psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers.
This allowance is intended for residents to spend at their discretion
on items such as telephone expenses, a meal out with friends, cards to
send to family, reading materials, or hobbies. The PNA provides
residents the opportunity to participate in activities beyond those
provided by the facility, to remain connected with family and friends,
and to obtain basic items such as clothing and shoes.
The bill also stipulates that beginning January 1 of the following
year after the bill’s enactment, the PNA is to be increased annually by
the same percentage as the cost-of-living adjustment for Social
Security benefits for that year.
In the case of residents eligible to receive SSI public assistance, a
federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and
disabled people with little to no income, the federal government
provides up to $30 a month for small comfort items not provided by
the facility. The State currently supplements the federal allowance by
$20 to ensure that SSI recipients residing in nursing facilities, State
and county psychiatric hospitals, and State developmental centers
receive a total PNA per month equal to that of Medicaid recipients, or
$50. Under the bill, absent any changes in the federal allowance, the
State would be responsible for a $90 per month supplemental payment
for each SSI recipient.