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HB1549 relative to the duration of the disability requirement for aid to the permanently and totally disabled

3-18-08

HOUSE BILL 1549-FN was sent to study by the full house.  This bill would have replaced the requirement that an impairment exist for 48 months for the aid to the permanently and totally disabled program with the 12-month requirement used by the Social Security Administration.

2-4-08

On January 31, 2008 the House Finance Committee received a briefing from Commissioner Toumpas concerning HB1549. The Department of Health and Human Services voiced their opposition to HB 1549 - This bill stipulates that a determination of eligibility for SSI or SSDI shall constitute a determination of disability for APTD. This moves the 48-month duration to l2-months. The department wants more study before moving forwards; some advocates say it will save the state millions however department staff has concerns that the opposite is true. The House Health and Human Services committee voted the bill out of committee with an amendment by a vote of 14-5.   As amended, the bill sets eligibility for federal disability programs as the determining factor for our Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled cash assistance program. Should the bill pass the House on Wednesday the 6th the Finance committee will be taking a strong look at it.