Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
01/27/2016 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB98 | |
| HB8 | |
| HB76 | |
| SB145 | |
| SB147 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | SB 145 | ||
| += | SB 147 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 76 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 147-SENIOR BENEFITS PROG. ELIGIBILITY
2:09:10 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN announced that the final bill would be SB 147.
SEAN O'BRIEN, Director, Division of Public Assistance,
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), presented
information on SB 147. He said that the bill pertains to the
Senior Benefits Program, which is a cash benefit program for
Alaska seniors age 65 and older with low or moderate income. The
monthly cash benefits range from $125 to $250 per month,
depending on the level of income and are directly tied to Alaska
Federal Poverty Guidelines.
He explained that the bill's intent has four areas; it adds an
additional eligibility requirement that a recipient of the
Senior Benefits program must be a citizen of the United States
or a qualified alien, and it aligns with all other public
assistance programs. It corrects the original intent of the
program, which was to be in alignment with the Adult Public
Assistance Program, and it is estimated to save approximately
$43,000 annually, based on current enrollment numbers for FY 15.
2:11:44 PM
SENATOR STOLTZE asked who would be excluded from the benefits
with this change.
2:12:05 PM
MONICA MITCHELL, Chief, Policy and Program Development, Division
of Public Assistance, answered questions related to SB 147. She
said the division has identified 16 individuals who would be
excluded, but there may be more.
SENATOR STOLTZE requested more information about the
qualifications of a qualified aliens.
MS. MITCHELL explained that a qualified alien could be a refugee
or other category.
SENATOR STOLTZE asked if the unqualified aliens are criminals.
MS. MITCHELL said she would have to look at individual cases and
follow up with that information.
CHAIR STEDMAN requested more specific information about the 16
identified qualified aliens.
He opened public hearing and, seeing no testifiers, closed it
again.
2:15:20 PM
CHAIR STEDMAN held SB 147 in committee.