Kildee Introduces New Legislation to Ensure Seniors and those with Disabilities can Age with Dignity and Greater Autonomy

FLINT-Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) and Congressman Mike Carey (OH-15) today introduced bipartisan legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, to ensure Supplemental Security Income Personal Needs Allowances (PNAs) and accompanying State Supplementary Payments (SSPs) reflect current economic realities to allow our most vulnerable-seniors and those with disabilities-to age with dignity and greater autonomy.

Although medical facilities, like nursing homes, provide health care, shelter, and food to those they care for, they do not cover the cost of items like clothing, toiletries, or a birthday card for a family member. To allow residents over the age of 65 or with disabilities who have few financial resources to afford these basic items, the Social Security Administration provides Supplemental Security Income PNAs, which states can supplement with SSPs.

However, Congress has not updated Supplemental Security Income PNAs since 1987, and-unlike other Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries-people who rely on Supplemental Security Income PNAs do not receive cost-of-living adjustments, meaning that our most vulnerable are finding it increasingly difficult to meet their basic needs.

Congressman Kildee's constituent, Mr. Ken DeLong, called his office to advocate for a long overdue update to these payments. The Dignity and Autonomy for Our Supplemental Security Income PNA Beneficiaries Act, which provides cost-of-living updates to Supplemental Security Income PNA beneficiaries and ensures those increases are passed through to SSPs, is a direct result of Mr. DeLong's advocacy.

"Thank you, Mr. DeLong, for bringing this critical issue to my office's attention," said Congressman Kildee. "I'm proud to be introducing this bipartisan legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, to finally update these payments and help ensure our seniors and those with disabilities no longer have to struggle to make ends meet."

"The Supplemental Security Income Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) has remained $30 for over 35 years, while the costs of every day goods have only increased." said Congressman Carey. "Our bipartisan legislation will provide our most vulnerable with a cost-of-living adjustment to their PNAs."

The legislation is endorsed the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, the Long-Term Care Community Coalition, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Medicare Rights Center, Justice in Aging, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

"Consumer Voice applauds Congressman Kildee for introducing this important legislation. This bill will address the terrible injustice that impoverishes many nursing home residents across the country. Asked to live on $30 a month, residents must forgo giving presents to grandchildren, buying clothes, going to a movie, and the security of having a few dollars in the bank. Congressman Kildee's bill will go a long way towards restoring dignity and financial security to many nursing home residents across the country. Consumer Voice strongly supports this bill," said Sam Brooks, Director of Public Policy at the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

"The personal needs allowance is often the only money that nursing home residents receive every month to pay for all of their personal expenses. Sadly, the federal minimum has not increased in decades, leaving residents unable to purchase basic items like clothing, a card for a grandchild, or phone service. We applaud Congressman Kildee for introducing this bill, which will improve countless lives and assure a modicum of dignity for vulnerable nursing home residents," said Richard Mollot, Executive Director of the Long-Term Care Community Coalition.

"The Dignity and Autonomy for Our Supplemental Security Income PNA Beneficiaries Act would provide much needed financial support to low-income older adults and those with disabilities. NAELA is proud to support this legislation. Our member attorneys work hard every day to provide legal services to these populations and help them live their best lives possible. If enacted, this bill would be a milestone in the effort to enhance the lives of those in our communities most in need of support," said Tom Harlow, Interim CEO of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

"The Medicare Rights Center thanks Congressman Kildee for introducing this important, bipartisan bill that would modernize the SSI Personal Needs Allowance to help people with very low incomes better cover everyday expenses. Updating these payments to reflect economic realities is a commonsense and long overdue change that would make basic needs more affordable, health care more accessible, and financial security more attainable, now and in the future," said Fred Riccardi, President of the Medicare Rights Center.

"The federal 'personal needs allowance' of $30 per month (effective since 1988) unfairly locks nursing home residents into a subsistence-level lifestyle. Linking the personal needs allowance to the actual cost of living is long overdue, and Justice in Aging thanks Congressman Kildee for introducing this important legislation to improve residents' quality of life," said Eric Carlson, Director of Long-Term Services and Support Advocacy at Justice in Aging.

"Residents in nursing homes whose sole income is SSI need their personal needs allowance to be updated annually to reflect the cost of living. Costs go up for them as for all of us. Residents should have enough money to buy a birthday present for a grandchild or a new pair of shoes," said Judith Stein, Executive Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

"AARP, which advocates for the more than 100 million Americans age 50 and older, is pleased to endorse the Dignity and Autonomy for Our Supplemental Security Income PNA Beneficiaries Act. This legislation would make a long-overdue update to the personal needs allowance of over 100,000 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries residing in nursing homes," said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of AARP.

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