Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/20/2018 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB155 | |
| SB65 | |
| HB236 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 236 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 236(FIN)
"An Act extending the Alaska senior benefits payment
program."
10:13:25 AM
MERCEDES COLBERT, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI,
explained the bill. She stated that it would extend the
sunset clause to 2024.
10:16:12 AM
AT EASE
10:16:59 AM
RECONVENED
10:17:19 AM
MONICA WINDOM, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, spoke in support
of the bill.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked for more information about the
eligibility requirements. Ms. Windom responded that an
individual who would want senior benefits must submit an
application and report their income to the department. That
income was verified several different ways. She stated that
the social security interface would provide information
about residency and citizenship. She stated that the
information would allow for determination of the amount of
the eligible benefit.
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried a qualification interface with
the permanent fund dividend. Ms. Windom replied in the
affirmative.
Senator von Imhof queried more difficult to verify income.
Ms. Windom replied that there could be a request of a copy
of the tax return.
Senator von Imhof surmised that the verification process
would be determined based on how it was listed in the
application. Ms. Windom replied in the affirmative.
10:20:18 AM
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered how many people received the
program benefits. Ms. Windom replied that in December 2017,
there were 11,322 individuals receiving senior benefits.
The level that currently received $76 per month were 5,183
individuals; the $175 benefit level had $4,597 individuals;
and the $250 benefit had $1,493 individuals.
Senator Stevens queried the poverty level of each of those
benefit levels. Ms. Windom replied that 100 percent of the
poverty level was approximately $1600 per month.
Co-Chair MacKinnon wondered whether the program was at 100
percent poverty level, or 203 percent poverty level. Ms.
Windom replied that it varied, because the different levels
depended on the level of poverty.
Co-Chair MacKinnon surmised that it was 175 percent of the
poverty level. Ms. Windom deferred to Ms. Colbert.
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried the annual benefit for a
qualified individual, and the percentages used as the
criteria to filter the candidates. Ms. Colbert replied that
at 75 percent of the federal poverty line, an individual
received $250 in monthly payments, and must make $11,295
annually. She stated that the 75 percent poverty level for
a married couple was $15,218. She stated that a 100 percent
poverty line level received $175 per month, and their
individual income must be $15,060; and a married couple
would be $20,290. She shared that at the 170 percent
poverty line, at an individual would make $26,355; and a
married couple would be $35,508 annually.
10:24:33 AM
DEB ETHERIDGE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF SENIOR AND
DISABILITY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), introduced
herself.
Co-Chair MacKinnon queried comments on the legislation. Ms.
Etheridge replied that she had no comment.
10:25:22 AM
KEN HELANDER, ADVOCACY DIRECTOR, AARP, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the reauthorization of
the Senior Benefits Program. He testified in support of the
legislation, as a critical safety net program for thousands
of Alaskans over 65-years-old. He urged reconsideration of
restoration of money taken from beneficiaries as 175
percent of federal poverty level two years prior. He
stressed that the 175 percent meant that they could not
make any more than that level.
Senator Micciche asked whether there was a letter from Mr.
Helander on record.
10:29:56 AM
DAVID BLACKETER, CHAIR, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING, KODIAK
(via teleconference), shared that he and his wife had
financial obligations. He spoke in support of the bill,
because it provided money to pay for groceries.
10:31:17 AM
GORDON GLASER, MEMBER, ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation. He echoed the previous testifiers. He stressed
that the program was targeted toward the older and more
frail communities. He stressed that it provided
independence and dignity.
Senator Stevens asked for thoughts on whether those who
were in an assisted living homes receipt of the benefit.
Mr. Glaser replied that it was something worth examining.
He stressed that it was difficult to remove a service.
10:34:29 AM
BILL WILLIAMS, SERVICE COORDINATOR, SOUTHEAST SENIOR
SERVICES, shared that he worked with seniors in Juneau who
lived in public housing. He tried to help those people to
live more independently, so to keep the burden away from
the Pioneer Home. He spoke in support of the bill. He
remarked that most of his clients had senior benefits. He
shared a personal story.
Senator Stevens wondered whether Section 8 housing was
considered assisted living. Mr. Williams replied in the
negative. He stated that Section 8 housing was government
subsisted housing.
10:39:42 AM
MIKE COONS, PRESIDENT, ALASKA CHAPTER OF ASSOCIATION OF
MATURE AMERICAN CITIZENS, PALMER (via teleconference),
spoke in support of the bill.
10:42:10 AM
GEORGE PIERCE, SELF, KASILOF (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the bill.
10:44:00 AM
JAYNE ANDREEN, VOLUNTEER, AARP, DOUGLAS, spoke in support
of the bill.
Co-Chair MacKinnon announced that amendments were due by
Friday at 5pm. She also discussed the following day's
agenda.
CSHB 236(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 236 Explanation of Changes A to D 7Feb2018.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| HB236 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| HB236 Consolidated Letters of Support.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| HB236 Supporting Document SBP Fact Sheet - Updated August 2017.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| SB 155 SCS v. O Explanation.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 155 |
| SB 155 SCS wrok draft v. O.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 155 |
| SB 65 Support Letter Bettine.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 65 |
| SB 65 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 65 |
| SB 65 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 65 |
| HB 236 ACoA Support Senior Benefits.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| HB 236 Letter from DPA repgarding AARP proposal 4.6.18.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |