The bill amends Section 40-6-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-6, titled "Public Assistance Act," to authorize adjustments to the state's supplemental payments to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The amendments include increases to the state's monthly share of supplementary assistance for individuals and couples living alone or with others, with specific dollar amounts being updated. For example, an individual living alone will now receive $79.92 instead of the previous $39.92, and a couple living alone will receive $119.38 instead of $79.38. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that, beginning July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the state supplemental payment allowance for individuals and couples, as well as the personal needs allowance from the state, will increase in accordance with any increase in the Federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers over the average for the previous calendar year.

The bill also outlines the authorization for the director of the department to enter into agreements concerning the administration and determination of eligibility for SSI benefits. It specifies the state's monthly share of supplementary assistance to various categories of recipients and mandates that the department of human services adjust these payments in accordance with the federal cost of living adjustment. The bill further details the personal needs allowance for individuals living in institutions and the retention of a personal needs allowance for those in state-licensed supportive residential-care settings and assisted-living residences. The bill is set to take effect upon passage and aims to ensure that the supplemental security income for individuals and couples will be adjusted annually based on the Federal Consumer Price Index starting from July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
2324: 40-6-27