The bill amends the Public Assistance Act to clarify eligibility for general public assistance (GPA) and introduces new provisions regarding resources and income. Notably, it inserts language that exempts individual retirement accounts from being counted as resources when determining eligibility for GPA. Additionally, it specifies that assistance will only be provided to U.S. citizens or legally residing aliens, and it outlines the conditions under which individuals can qualify for assistance based on medical conditions. The bill also establishes that individuals over 18 who are full-time students are generally ineligible for GPA, with exceptions for those in vocational rehabilitation programs.
Furthermore, the bill amends the Office of Health and Human Services regulations to protect funds in the ABLE program from creditor processes, ensuring that these funds cannot be seized to pay debts. The previous provision that allowed the state of residency to be a creditor of an ABLE account upon the death of the designated beneficiary has been deleted. This act will take effect immediately upon passage, reflecting a significant shift in how public assistance and related financial protections are structured.