Sec. 17b-82. “Rated housing facility” defined.
Sec. 17b-124. (Formerly Sec. 17-279). Disclosure by person controlling property.
Sec. 17b-126. (Formerly Sec. 17-281). Lien against real property.
Sec. 17b-82. “Rated housing facility” defined. As used in sections 17b-83 and 17b-601, “rated housing facility” means (1) a boarding facility or home, except for a community companion home, licensed by the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the Department of Children and Families; or (2) the facility established by New Horizons, Inc. pursuant to section 19a-507, provided any such home or facility has been approved by the Department of Social Services to receive state supplement payments for residents found eligible for such payments in accordance with section 17b-600.
(P.A. 14-164, S. 1; P.A. 19-117, S. 299.)
History: P.A. 14-164 effective June 11, 2014; P.A. 19-117 redefined “rated housing facility”, effective January 1, 2020.
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Sec. 17b-84. (Formerly Sec. 17-82i). Funeral and burial allowance for state supplement or temporary family assistance program beneficiaries. Reductions. Disclosure of information regarding liquid assets. (a) Upon the death of any beneficiary under the state supplement or the temporary family assistance program, the Commissioner of Social Services shall order the payment of a sum not to exceed one thousand three hundred fifty dollars as an allowance toward the funeral and burial expenses of such decedent. The payment for funeral and burial expenses shall be reduced by (1) the amount in any revocable or irrevocable funeral fund, (2) any prepaid funeral contract, (3) the face value of any life insurance policy owned by the decedent that names a funeral home, cemetery or crematory as a beneficiary, (4) the net value of all liquid assets in the decedent's estate, and (5) contributions in excess of three thousand four hundred dollars toward such funeral and burial expenses from all other sources, including friends, relatives and all other persons, organizations, agencies, veterans' programs and other benefit programs. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 17b-90, whenever payment for funeral, burial or cremation expenses is reduced due to liquid assets in the decedent's estate, the commissioner may disclose information concerning such liquid assets to the funeral director, cemetery or crematory providing funeral, burial or cremation services for the decedent.
(b) The Commissioner of Social Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.
(1969, P.A. 730, S. 21; 1972, P.A. 154, S. 1; P.A. 77-604, S. 9, 84; P.A. 78-337, S. 3, 11; P.A. 86-290, S. 2, 10; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 32, 165; P.A. 06-188, S. 17; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 385; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 44; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 185; P.A. 19-117, S. 313.)
History: 1972 act replaced $150 and $50 limits on funeral and burial expenses, respectively, with limit under Sec. 17-82q and clarified statements re persons to be paid; P.A. 77-604 corrected faulty section reference; P.A. 78-337 restated provisions in simpler form; P.A. 86-290 added a reference to the state supplement or the aid to families with dependent children program, required the commissioner to order an allowance toward funeral and burial expenses and amended the method of establishing the sum of allowance due; Sec. 17-82i transferred to Sec. 17b-84 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced a reference to aid to families with dependent children with temporary family assistance, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 06-188 made technical changes and increased funeral and burial allowance from $1,200 to $1,800, effective July 1, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 reduced state funeral and burial allowance from $1,800 to $1,400, effective July 1, 2015; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 designated existing provisions re allowance toward funeral and burial expenses as Subsec. (a) and amended same to reduce maximum payment from $1,400 to $1,200, replace references to deceased and recipient with references to decedent, designate provisions re reduction of payments as Subdivs. (1) to (3), delete provision re contributions over and above sum established not to diminish state's obligation, add Subdiv. (4) re liquid assets in decedent's estate and add Subdiv. (5) re contributions from other sources, and added Subsec. (b) re adoption of regulations, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to add “that names a funeral home, cemetery or crematory as a beneficiary”, and added provision re commissioner to disclose information concerning liquid assets whenever payment is reduced due to such liquid assets, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing funeral and burial benefit from $1,200 to $1,350, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-104. (Formerly Sec. 17-2). State supplementation to the Supplemental Security Income Program. Payment standards. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall administer the program of state supplementation to the Supplemental Security Income Program provided for by the Social Security Act and state law. The commissioner may delegate any powers and authority to any deputy, assistant, investigator or supervisor, who shall have, within the scope of the power and authority so delegated, all of the power and authority of the Commissioner of Social Services. The commissioner shall establish a standard of need based on the cost of living in this state for the temporary family assistance program and the state-administered general assistance program. The commissioner shall make a reinvestigation, at least every twelve months, of all cases receiving aid from the state, except that such reinvestigation may be conducted every twenty-four months for recipients of assistance to the elderly or disabled with stable circumstances, and shall maintain all case records of the several programs administered by the Department of Social Services so that such records show, at all times, full information with respect to eligibility of the applicant or recipient. In the determination of need under any public assistance program, such income or earnings shall be disregarded as federal law requires, and such income or earnings may be disregarded as federal law permits. In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall disregard from income Aid and Attendance pension benefits granted to a veteran, as defined under section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran. The commissioner shall encourage and promulgate such incentive earning programs as are permitted by federal law and regulations.
(b) On July 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall increase the payment standards over those of the previous fiscal year under the temporary family assistance program and the state-administered general assistance program by the percentage increase, if any, in the most recent calendar year average in the consumer price index for urban consumers over the average for the previous calendar year, provided the annual increase, if any, shall not exceed five per cent, except that the payment standards for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, June 30, 2013, June 30, 2016, June 30, 2017, June 30, 2018, June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021, shall not be increased.
(c) On and after July 1, 1995, the payment standards for families receiving assistance under the temporary family assistance program shall be equal to seventy-three per cent of the AFDC standards of need in effect June 30, 1995.
(d) For a family living in subsidized housing, income shall be attributed to such family which shall be eight per cent of the payment standard for such family.
(1949 Rev., S. 2614; 1953, 1955, S. 1448d; 1961, P.A. 316; February, 1965, P.A. 344, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 314, S. 2; 562; 744, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 730, S. 9; 1971, P.A. 642, S. 1; P.A. 74-244; S.A. 74-31, S. 16, 22; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; 75-547; P.A. 76-269, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-591, S. 1, 3; 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 78-192, S. 3, 7; P.A. 80-385, S. 1, 3; P.A. 81-449, S. 1, 11; P.A. 82-91, S. 6, 38; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-8, S. 1, 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-34, S. 5, 8; P.A. 84-470, S. 1, 4; P.A. 85-367, S. 2, 5; 85-505, S. 17, 21; P.A. 88-156, S. 7; 88-201, S. 1, 3; 88-317, S. 67, 107; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 1, 63; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 1, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 1, 41; P.A. 95-194, S. 2, 33; 95-351, S. 11, 30; P.A. 96-128; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 48, 165; P.A. 99-279, S. 6, 45; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 55, 58, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 03-19, S. 38; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 60; P.A. 04-76, S. 11; P.A. 05-280, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 2; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5, S. 36; P.A. 11-44, S. 77; P.A. 12-208, S. 9; P.A. 14-161, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 375; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 40; P.A. 19-117, S. 291.)
History: 1961 act gave commissioner power to make regulations; 1965 act provided income and earnings be disregarded as federal law requires; 1967 acts allowed disregard of income or earnings “as federal law permits”, required encouragement of incentive earning programs, gave to a cost of living commission the determination of standards of assistance and deleted duty to collect support from relatives; 1969 act rewrote regulation-making power provision and required issuance of regulations on or before January 1, 1970, required semiannual redetermination and revision of assistance standards and added proviso re aid to dependent children; 1971 act replaced semiannual redetermination with periodic redetermination of standards of need rather than assistance, required standards to meet federal requirements rather than to carry out state policy and deleted proviso re aid to dependent children; P.A. 74-244 replaced periodic redetermination with annual redetermination, required standards to reflect changes in living costs using Consumer Price Index and required report to general assembly; S.A. 74-31 added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re aid to dependent children, deleted reference to state paupers in previous provisions, now Subsec. (a), replaced chapter 48 reference with chapter 54, added proviso re aid to dependent children program and required standards to fulfill state as well as federal law; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 75-547 clarified provision re amount of grant in Subsec. (c); P.A. 76-269 replaced former provisions of Subsec. (c) re shelter component of assistance and deleted proviso in Subsec. (a) which had referred to previous Subsec. (c); P.A. 77-591 deleted exception re shelter component in Subsec. (b) and changed applicable year from 1975 to 1978; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-192 rephrased Subsec. (b) making increase applicable to standard of need rather than payment level, including family cases under general assistance program and changing applicable year to 1979; P.A. 80-385 changed rate of increase from 10% to 7% for year 1980 in Subsec. (b) and added proviso re “disregards”; P.A. 81-449 amended Subsec. (b) to increase the standard of need by 5% over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1981, replacing previous 7% increase; P.A. 82-91 amended Subsec. (b) to increase the standard of need by 3% over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1982, replacing previous year's reference to 5% increase in standard of need over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1981; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-8 amended Subsec. (b) to change the date from “June 30, 1982” to “June 30, 1983”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-34 amended Subsec. (b) to add reference to state program established pursuant to Sec. 17-83o; P.A. 84-470 amended Subsec. (b) to provide for an increase in the standard of need on July 1, 1984, based on the increase in the “most recent calendar year average to average consumer price index for urban consumers for the U.S. city average over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984”; P.A. 85-367 entirely replaced Subsec. (b) re increase in standard of need for fiscal year 1984-1985 with new provisions applicable to increase for fiscal year 1985-1986; P.A. 85-505 replaced prior provisions of Subsec. (b) re increase in standard of need with new provisions re increases for 1986, 1987 and 1988 and provided for the first time a cap on increases; P.A. 88-156 deleted obsolete language in Subsec. (a), deleted Subsec. (c) re payment of shelter component to recipients of aid to dependent children program, and specified the current programs the commissioner is required to administer; P.A. 88-201 authorized the annual increase of the standard of need in Subsec. (b); P.A. 88-317 amended Subsec. (c) to update reference to Secs. 4-166 to 4-176 to include new section added to Ch. 54, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date, but failed to take effect, Subsec. (c) having been deleted by P.A. 88-156; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 amended Subsec. (b) to delete language re increase in standard of need for fiscal year 1985-1986 to remove the needy student provision and to place a cap on the annual increase for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 amended Subsec. (b) by eliminating the increase in the standard of need for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-418 in Subsec. (a) required the commissioner to establish payment standards for the AFDC and general assistance programs, replacing provisions requiring annual computation of standards of need based on federal Regional Consumer Price Index, in Subsec. (b) changed the words “standard of need” to “payment standards”, added provision requiring that payment standards not be increased until after the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, and required that the payment standards in effect on January 1, 1994, be equal to the standards of need in effect July 1, 1993, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-2 transferred to Sec. 17b-104 in 1995; P.A. 95-194 amended Subsec. (b) by adding the fiscal years ending June 30, 1996, and June 30, 1997, to the list of years in which payment standards shall not be increased, added Subsec. (c) lowering the payment standard on and after July 1, 1995, added Subsec. (d) providing that families in subsidized housing be required to count the value of such housing as income in determining the benefit payment, effective June 29, 1995; P.A. 95-351 amended Subsec. (c) by requiring payment standards apply to recipients of general assistance, amended Subsec. (d) by requiring that effective January 1, 1996, families subject to time limited benefits pursuant to Sec. 17b-112(b) and living in subsidized housing have their benefit payment reduced by 8% of the payment standard, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-128 amended Subsec. (a) to allow for reinvestigations of elderly or disabled recipients of assistance with stable circumstances every 24 months; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 amended Subsec. (b) by adding the fiscal years ending June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, to the list of years in which payment standards shall not be increased, replaced Subsec. (d) with a provision requiring a family living in subsidized housing to have income attributed to it at a rate of 8% of the standard of need if such family is subject to fill the gap budgeting and 8% of the payment standard for families not subject to such budgeting and added a definition of fill the gap budgeting and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-279 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes and Subsec. (b) to require the commissioner to increase payment standards under the aid to families with dependent children program and to provide that the payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2000, and June 30, 2001, effective July 1, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that the payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003, and amended Subsec. (d) to provide that for a family living in subsidized housing, income shall be attributed to such family which shall be 8% of the payment standard for such family, deleting provisions re “fill the gap budgeting”, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; P.A. 03-19 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective May 12, 2003; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsecs. (a) to (c), inclusive, by deleting references to “general assistance program” and making conforming changes; P.A. 05-280 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending on June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, effective July 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “On and after January 1, 1994,” and amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “1988” with “2007”, deleting “aid to families with dependent children program” and deleting specified fiscal years when the payment standard was not increased, effective July 1, 2007; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re payment standards for fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2011, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re payment standards for fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-208 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re income disregard for veterans' Aid and Attendance pension benefits, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 14-161 amended Subsec. (c) to delete reference to state-administered general assistance program, effective July 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b) to add “June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017,”, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019,”, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (b) to add “June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021,” and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-106. (Formerly Sec. 17-12f). State supplement to Supplemental Security Income Program. Adult payment standards. State supplement payments for certain residents in long-term care facilities. (a) On July 1, 1989, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall increase the adult payment standards over those of the previous fiscal year for the state supplement to the federal Supplemental Security Income Program by the percentage increase, if any, in the most recent calendar year average in the consumer price index for urban consumers over the average for the previous calendar year, provided the annual increase, if any, shall not exceed five per cent, except that the adult payment standards for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1993, June 30, 1994, June 30, 1995, June 30, 1996, June 30, 1997, June 30, 1998, June 30, 1999, June 30, 2000, June 30, 2001, June 30, 2002, June 30, 2003, June 30, 2004, June 30, 2005, June 30, 2006, June 30, 2007, June 30, 2008, June 30, 2009, June 30, 2010, June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, June 30, 2013, June 30, 2016, June 30, 2017, June 30, 2018, June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021, shall not be increased. Effective October 1, 1991, the coverage of excess utility costs for recipients of the state supplement to the federal Supplemental Security Income Program is eliminated. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commissioner may increase the personal needs allowance component of the adult payment standard as necessary to meet federal maintenance of effort requirements.
(b) Effective July 1, 2011, the commissioner shall provide a state supplement payment for recipients of Medicaid and the federal Supplemental Security Income Program who reside in long-term care facilities sufficient to increase their personal needs allowance to sixty dollars per month. Such state supplement payment shall be made to the long-term care facility to be deposited into the personal fund account of each such recipient. For the purposes of this subsection, “long-term care facility” means a licensed chronic and convalescent nursing home, a chronic disease hospital, a rest home with nursing supervision, an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities or a state humane institution.
(P.A. 78-192, S. 1, 2, 7; P.A. 80-385, S. 2, 3; P.A. 81-449, S. 2, 5, 11; P.A. 82-91, S. 7, 38; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-8, S. 2, 3; P.A. 84-470, S. 2, 4; P.A. 85-367, S. 3, 5; 85-505, S. 18, 21; P.A. 89-296, S. 5, 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 2, 63; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 3, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 4, 41; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 32, 53; July 13 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 3, 9; P.A. 95-351, S. 13, 30; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 49, 165; P.A. 98-239, S. 4, 35; P.A. 99-279, S. 7, 45; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 56, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 61; P.A. 05-243, S. 1; 05-280, S. 38; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 3; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5, S. 37; P.A. 11-44, S. 78; P.A. 13-139, S. 4; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 376; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 569; P.A. 19-117, S. 292.)
History: P.A. 80-385 reduced rate of increase from 10% to 7% for fiscal year ending June 30, 1980, and added proviso re disregards; P.A. 81-449 increased the payment standards by 5% over the standards for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1981, replacing previous 7% increase and deleted reference to the Connecticut Assistance and Medical Aid Program for the Disabled; P.A. 82-91 amended section to increase the payment standards by 3% over the standards for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1982, replacing previous year's reference to 5% increase in payment standards over the standards for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1981; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-8 changed the date from “June 30, 1982” to “June 30, 1983”; P.A. 84-470 provided for an increase in the adult payment standards on July 1, 1984, based on the percentage increase in the “most recent calendar year average to average consumer price index for urban consumers for the U.S. city average over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984”; P.A. 85-367 replaced previous provisions re increase in adult payment standards for fiscal year 1984-1985 with new provisions applicable to fiscal year 1985-1986; P.A. 85-505 replaced prior provisions re increase in adult payment standards with new provisions for increases in 1986, 1987 and 1988 and for the first time imposed a cap on increases; P.A. 89-296 deleted obsolete date references; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 required a reduction in the unearned income disregard for recipients of the state supplement to the federal supplemental security income, placed a hold on the adult payment standards for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992, held the general assistance maximum shelter payment levels to the federal maximums, except that for the payments already being made reductions are to be suspended for six months, eliminated the provision for excess utility costs for recipients of state supplement and redefined “single room occupancy”; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 changed the amount by which the commissioner shall reduce the unearned income disregard to up to 9.5%, eliminated the increase in the standard of need for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, and deleted provisions re maximum payment levels for shelter and consideration of single room occupancies under the general assistance program; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-418 eliminated the increase in the adult payment standard for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1994, and June 30, 1995, effective July 1, 1993; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 deleted provision directing commissioner to reduce unearned income disregard by up to 9.5%, effective July 1, 1992, and substituted provision directing commissioner to reduce disregard by 7%, effective July 1, 1994; July 13 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 added provision directing commissioner to increase unearned income disregard to a level not exceeding that in effect on July 30, 1994, if sufficient funds are available within department and are transferred to appropriate accounts, effective July 15, 1994; Sec. 17-12f transferred to Sec. 17b-106 in 1995; P.A. 95-351 provided that the adult payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 1996, and June 30, 1997, effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 provided the adult payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-239 divided the Sec. into two Subsecs., inserting new provisions as Subsec. (b), requiring the Commissioner of Social Services to provide a state supplement payment for recipients of Medicaid and the federal supplemental security income program who reside in long-term care facilities sufficient to increase their personal needs allowance to $50 per month, specifying where such payment shall be deposited, providing for an increase in such allowance effective July 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, and defining “long-term care facility”, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 99-279 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the adult payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2000, and June 30, 2001, effective July 1, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the adult payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005, and to add provision authorizing commissioner to increase the personal needs allowance component of the adult payment standard as needed to meet federal maintenance of effort requirements, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 05-243 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re 1985 payment standards, deleting 1994 provision that required commissioner to reduce the appropriate unearned income disregard for program recipients by 7% and adding provision requiring commissioner to increase the unearned income disregard for program recipients by an amount equal to the federal cost-of-living adjustment, if any, provided to recipients of federal Supplemental Security Income Program benefits for the corresponding calendar year, and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 8, 2005; P.A. 05-280 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, effective July 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2009, effective July 1, 2007; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2011, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013, and amended Subsec. (b) by changing date from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 2011, increasing personal needs allowance from $50 to $60 per month and deleting provision re annual allowance increase, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-139 amended Subsec. (b) by substituting “individuals with intellectual disabilities” for “the mentally retarded”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) to add “June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017,”, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re increase in unearned income disregard by amount equal to cost-of-living adjustment, adding “June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019,” and making a technical change, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (a) to add “June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021,” and make a technical change effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-112l. Initiative for two-generational service delivery to encourage educational, health and workforce readiness and self-sufficiency. (a) There is established a two-generational initiative to disrupt cycles of poverty and advance family economic self-sufficiency. The initiative shall collaborate across public and private sectors to support early childhood care and education, health and workforce readiness and economic self-sufficiency across two generations in the same household. Households may include, but need not be limited to, children and their mothers, fathers, noncustodial parents and other primary caregivers.
(b) The Office of Early Childhood shall serve as the two-generational initiative's coordinating agency. The initiative may include review and consideration of the following, within available appropriations, to attain family economic mobility and success:
(1) Coordination and delivery of programs that improve access to services and equity in opportunity to achieve family economic success. Such programs may include, but need not be limited to, early learning programs, adult education, child care, housing, apprenticeship and job training, transportation, financial literacy, health and mental health services, and sufficiently supported pathways to family-sustaining workforce opportunities, offered at one location, whenever possible; and
(2) Alignment of state and federal resources around the family including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant funds, and services to equip such families with the tools and skills needed to overcome obstacles and engage opportunities.
(c) Implementation of the initiative shall foster the comprehensive two-generational service delivery approach for early care and education and workforce readiness in learning communities that may include, but need not be limited to, New Haven, Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, Norwalk, Meriden, Windham, Enfield, Waterbury and Bridgeport. The initiative shall be implemented in partnership with parent and family leaders to determine the priorities and challenges of low-income households. Coordinators of the initiative shall foster a peer-to-peer exchange and technical assistance in best practices between learning communities that shall be shared with the advisory board established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The staff of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall serve as the administrative staff to the learning communities.
(d) A Two-Generational Advisory Board shall be established as part of the initiative to advise the state, the legislature and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management on how to foster family economic self-sufficiency in low income households through a comprehensive two-generational service delivery approach for early child care, education and workforce readiness. The board shall work in partnership with philanthropic organizations, as available, to provide support, technical assistance, guidance and best practices to the participating communities in the initiative designated pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The board shall consist of (1) one member of the General Assembly appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall serve as a cochairperson; (2) one member of the Senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall serve as a cochairperson; (3) one member representing the interests of business or trade organizations appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (4) one member with expertise on issues concerning physical and mental health appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (5) one member with expertise on issues concerning children and families appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (6) one member of the General Assembly appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (7) one member appointed by the Governor; (8) representatives of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations and scholars who are experts in two-generational programs and policies, including, but not limited to, at least one such representative and scholar with experience in developing strategies to achieve racial equity and social justice; (9) parent or family leaders representing low-income households selected by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, who shall constitute one-fourth of the board; and (10) other business and academic professionals as needed to achieve goals for two-generational systems planning, evaluations and outcomes selected by the cochairpersons. The Chief Court Administrator, or the Chief Court Administrator's designee, shall serve as ex-officio members of the advisory board. The staff of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall serve as the organizing and administrative staff of the advisory board.
(e) Not later than July 1, 2020, pursuant to the advisory authority established in section 3-125, the Office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Two-Generational Advisory Board, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the Chief Data Officer appointed pursuant to section 4-67p and the Connecticut Preschool through Twenty and Workforce Information Network, established pursuant to section 10a-57g, shall develop a uniform interagency data sharing protocol to remove legal barriers to promote cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration under this section to the fullest extent permitted under state and federal laws.
(f) Not later than December 31, 2020, and annually thereafter, the Two-Generational Advisory Board, in consultation with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, shall file a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, education, housing, human services, labor, public health, transportation and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies. The report shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) Shared indicators and goals for interagency collaboration developed pursuant to section 1 of public act 19-78*, (2) improvements in Two-Generational Initiative service coordination and streamlined resources, (3) methods of improved family engagement to assure continuous feedback from family leaders regarding the priorities and challenges of low income households, and (4) recommendations to (A) improve systems, policy, culture, program, budget or communications issues among agencies and service providers on the local and state levels to achieve two-generational success; (B) eliminate barriers to two-generational success; and (C) improve data sharing within and between agencies to inform systems and policy direction to achieve family economic success.
(g) Within available appropriations, parent and family participants of the Two-Generational Initiative may be compensated for time and travel related to Two-Generational Advisory Board meetings and Two-Generational Initiative activities related to asset building, leadership and community engagement.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 401; P.A. 16-79, S. 1; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 153; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 141; P.A. 18-19, S. 1; 18-129, S. 2; P.A. 19-78, S. 2; 19-117, S. 124.)
*Note: Section 1 of public act 19-78 is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-79 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re persons who may be included in households, add provision re pilot sites to be informed by members of low-income households and peer-to-peer exchange and add provision defining “Greater Hartford”, amended Subsec. (b)(1) to add “, including, but not limited to, health and mental health services,”, amended Subsec. (c) to add provisions re member representing interests of business or trade organizations, member with expertise on issues concerning children and families, member of transportation committee, member of education committee and not more than 6 members of low-income households, amended Subsec. (e) to add references to education, housing, public health and transportation committees, delete former Subdivs. (1) to (4) re report to detail numbers of families served, adults who have obtained jobs, children who have improved academically and adults who have received and completed job training and enrolled and obtained certificates or degrees in educational courses, add new Subdivs. (1) to (5) re statements in report and redesignate existing Subdivs. (5) and (6) re cost of program and recommendations to expand program, respectively, as Subdivs. (6) and (7), and made technical changes, effective June 1, 2016; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (c) by making a technical change and replacing “Commission on Children” with “Commission on Women, Children and Seniors”, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re pilot program, adding reference to initiative, replacing reference to academic and job readiness support services with provisions re two-generational service delivery approach, and promotion of systemic change, substantially amended Subsec. (b) including by adding provisions re Office of Early Childhood to serve as two-generational initiative's coordinating agency and matters for initiative's review and consideration, deleted provisions re workforce liaison, deleted former Subsecs. (c) and (d) re interagency working group and coordinators of two-generational programs, respectively, added new Subsec. (c) re initiative to foster comprehensive two-generational service delivery approach for early care and education and workforce readiness in learning communities, added new Subsec. (d) re Two-Generational Advisory Council, amended Subsec. (e) by replacing provisions re information to be included in report with provisions re same, and made technical and conforming changes, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 18-19 added new Subsec. (e) re facilitation of data sharing, redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec.(f) and amended same to add reference to labor committee, add Subdiv. (4) re recommendations on improved data sharing, and make a technical change, effective May 25, 2018; P.A. 18-129 amended Subsec. (b)(2) by designating existing provision re the household as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re coordinated state-wide reading plan for students in kindergarten to grade three, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-78 substantially amended Subsec. (a) including by replacing “foster family economic self-sufficiency in low-income households through a comprehensive two-generational service delivery approach” with “disrupt cycles of poverty and advance family economic self-sufficiency”, replacing “promote systemic change to create conditions across local and state public sector agencies and private sector” with “collaborate across public and private sectors” and adding reference to children, substantially amended Subsec. (b) including by deleting reference to executive branch, adding “to attain family economic mobility and success”, adding reference to apprenticeship, adding “sufficiently supported pathways to family-sustaining workforce opportunities”, replacing reference to state and local support systems around the household with reference to state and federal resources around the family and deleting provisions re coordinated state-wide reading plan for certain students, development of long-term plan to coordinate, align and optimize service delivery of relevant programs state wide and partnerships between state and national philanthropic organizations; amended Subsec. (c) by replacing “informed by members of low-income households within these communities” with “implemented in partnership with parent and family leaders to determine the priorities and challenges of low-income households”, and adding reference to learning communities, deleting former Subsecs. (d), (e) and (f) re Two-Generational Advisory Council, adding new Subsec. (d) re Two-Generational Advisory Board, adding new Subsec. (e) re uniform interagency data sharing protocol to promote collaboration, adding new Subsec. (f) re report by Two-Generational Advisory Board, adding Subsec. (g) re compensation for parent and family participants of Two-Generational Initiative, and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2019 (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A. 19-117, “Commission on Women, Children and Seniors” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity”); P.A. 19-117 amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) by replacing “Commission on Women, Children and Seniors” with “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity”, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-124. (Formerly Sec. 17-279). Disclosure by person controlling property. (a) Each person having in his possession or control any property of any person applying for or receiving such support, or being indebted to him, or having knowledge of any property or income, including wages, belonging to him, and any officer having control of the books and accounts of any corporation which has possession or control of any property or income, including wages, belonging to any person applying for or receiving such support or is indebted to him, shall, upon presentation by such selectmen or any of them or their attorney of a certificate signed by them or him stating that such person has applied for or is receiving support from the town, make full disclosure to such selectmen or attorney as to any such property or income, including wages, or indebtedness. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars and shall pay just damages to the town injured thereby.
(b) Each person having in his possession or control any property of any person for whom an application has been filed for medical assistance under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, or being indebted to him, or having knowledge of any property or income, including wages, belonging to him, or having knowledge of any other information relevant to such person's eligibility for such assistance, and any officer having control of the books and accounts of any corporation which has possession or control of any property or income, including wages, belonging to any such person, or is indebted to him, or having knowledge of such information, shall, upon presentation by a medical provider or its attorney of a signed certificate stating that an application signed by such person has been made for medical assistance, make full disclosure to such provider as to any such property or income, including wages or indebtedness or such other information relevant to such person's eligibility. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars and shall pay just damages to the provider injured thereby.
(1949 Rev., S. 2590; P.A. 88-156, S. 16; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 23, 89; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 46; P.A. 19-118, S. 30.)
History: P.A. 88-156 added income, including wages, to what constitutes property; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 added Subsec. (b) re disclosure by person controlling property of person who has applied for medical assistance under this chapter; Sec. 17-279 transferred to Sec. 17b-124 in 1995; (Revisor's note: The references in Subsec. (b) to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive,” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act; P.A. 19-118 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-126. (Formerly Sec. 17-281). Lien against real property. If any person receiving such aid neglects or refuses to sign such agreement, the selectmen are authorized to file a lien against such property, or against the real property of any legally liable relative of any person receiving aid or support under sections 17b-194, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, to secure the disbursements of such town made prior to filing such lien and any disbursements thereafter made, and such lien from the time of filing shall have the same force and effect and may be foreclosed in the same manner as any agreement provided for in section 17b-125.
(1949 Rev., S. 2592; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 39, 63; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 48; P.A. 19-118, S. 31.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 amended section to authorize a lien against property owned by a legally liable relative of a person receiving aid or support; Sec. 17-281 transferred to Sec. 17b-126 in 1995; (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive,” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 deleted reference to Sec. 17b-221 that was repealed by the same act; P.A. 19-118 deleted reference to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-127. (Formerly Sec. 17-282). General assistance fraud. Penalty. Forfeiture of privileges of participation in program. Termination upon conviction. Readmission. (a) No vendor of goods or services sold to or performed for any beneficiary of assistance under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-263, and 17b-689b shall, with intent to defraud, present for payment any false claim for goods or services performed, or accept payment for goods or services performed, which exceeds the amounts due for goods or services performed.
(b) Any person or vendor who defrauds or assists in defrauding any town as to the support of its paupers, or deceives the selectmen thereof in obtaining support for any person not entitled to the same, or is found in violation of subsection (a) of this section, shall be subject to (1) the penalties for larceny under sections 53a-122 to 53a-125b, inclusive, depending on the amount involved and (2) repayment to a town for the defrauded amount. In addition, any such person or vendor shall be subject to forfeiture of privileges of participation in the program provided under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-263, and 17b-689b. Any person or vendor who is convicted of violating this section shall be terminated from participation in such program, effective upon conviction. No vendor so terminated shall be readmitted to such program.
(c) Any person who defrauds the town to obtain any monetary award to which such person is not entitled, assists another person in so defrauding the town or with intent to defraud, or violates any other provision of sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, shall be subject to the penalties for larceny under sections 53a-122 and 53a-123, depending on the amount involved. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be terminated from participation in the program for a period of at least one year.
(1949 Rev., S. 2593; P.A. 76-301, S. 2; P.A. 84-464, S. 1; 84-471, S. 1, 3; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 12, 89; P.A. 95-194, S. 21, 33; 95-351, S. 6, 30; P.A. 96-169, S. 10; P.A. 02-89, S. 30; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 49; P.A. 19-118, S. 32.)
History: P.A. 76-301 increased maximum fine from $500 to $1,000; P.A. 84-464 added Subsec. (a) on vendor fraud and made the existing section Subsec. (b), specifying that vendors are subject to the penalty and adding the language on forfeiture of privileges of participation, termination effective upon conviction and readmission; P.A. 84-471 replaced fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both, with reference to penalties for larceny under Secs. 53a-122 to 53a-125b, inclusive, depending on amount involved; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provision for hearing prior to forfeiture of participation in program and added Subsec. (b) re person who defrauds the town to obtain monetary award to which he is not entitled; Sec. 17-282 transferred to Sec. 17b-127 in 1995; P.A. 95-194 added Subsec. (b)(2) providing for repayment to a town for the defrauded amount, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-351 required that a person found in violation of Subsec. (a) be subject to both Subdivs. (1) and (2), effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-169 amended Subsec. (b) to delete a reference to a three-year prohibition for a vendor terminated from participation in such program being readmitted to such program, thereby prohibiting him from being readmitted; (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive”, were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 and 17b-689b” or “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); P.A. 02-89 amended Subsecs.(a) and (b) to replace references to Sec. 17b-133 with references to Sec. 17b-132, reflecting the repeal of Sec. 17b-133 by the same public act, and amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act (Revisor's note: In 2005, references to repealed Sec. 17b-118b were deleted editorially by the Revisors in Subsecs. (a) and (b)); P.A. 19-118 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting reference to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-128. (Formerly Sec. 17-283). Reimbursement of towns or municipalities for relief. Recovery of overpayments. (a) Any person who receives relief from any town or municipality of this state shall be liable to reimburse such town or municipality for any moneys or relief received. Section 52-576 shall not be a bar to a recovery under this section.
(b) Any town that overpays a person receiving financial assistance under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, shall recover such overpayment from such person's ongoing assistance. The amount of such recovery shall not exceed ten per cent of such person's ongoing benefit in any month.
(1949 Rev., S. 642; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 13, 89; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 50; P.A. 19-118, S. 33.)
History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 added Subsec. (b) re recovery of overpayments; Sec. 17-283 transferred to Sec. 17b-128 in 1995 (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive”, were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act; P.A. 19-118 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-129. (Formerly Sec. 17-283a). Town's claim against proceeds of cause of action. Assignment of interest in estate to the town. Limitation. (a) If any beneficiary of aid under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, has a cause of action, a town that provided aid to such beneficiary shall have a claim against the proceeds of such cause of action for the amount of such aid or fifty per cent of the proceeds received by such beneficiary after payment of all expenses connected with the cause of action, whichever is less, which shall have priority over all other unsecured claims and unrecorded encumbrances. Such claim shall be a lien, subordinate to any interest the state may possess under section 17b-94, against the proceeds from such cause of action, for the amount established in accordance with this section, and such lien shall have priority over all other claims except attorney's fees for such causes of action, expenses of suit, costs of hospitalization connected with the cause of action by whomever paid, over and above hospital insurance or other such benefits, and, for such period of hospitalization as was not paid for by the town, physician's fees for services during any such period as are connected with the cause of action over and above medical insurance or other such benefits. Where the state also has a claim against the proceeds of such cause of action under section 17b-94, the total amount of the claims by the state under said section and the town under this subsection shall not exceed fifty per cent of the proceeds received by the recipient after the allowable expenses and the town's claim shall be reduced accordingly. The proceeds of such causes of action shall be assignable to the town for payment of such lien irrespective of any other provision of law except section 17b-94. Upon presentation to the attorney for the beneficiary of an assignment of such proceeds executed by the beneficiary or his conservator or guardian, such assignment shall constitute an irrevocable direction to the attorney to pay the town in accordance with its terms.
(b) In the case of an inheritance of an estate by a beneficiary of aid under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, fifty per cent of the assets of the estate payable to the beneficiary or the amount of such assets equal to the amount of assistance paid, whichever is less, shall be assignable to the town. Where the state also has an assignment of such assets under section 17b-94, the total amount of the claims of the state under said section and the town under this subsection shall not exceed fifty per cent of the assets of the estate payable to the beneficiary and the town's assigned share shall be reduced accordingly. The Court of Probate shall accept any such assignment executed by the beneficiary and filed by the town with the court prior to the distribution of such inheritance, and to the extent of such inheritance not already distributed, the court shall order distribution in accordance therewith. If the town receives any assets of an estate pursuant to any such assignment, the town shall be subject to the same duties and liabilities concerning such assigned assets as the beneficiary.
(c) No claim shall be made, or lien applied, against any payment made pursuant to chapter 135, any payment made pursuant to section 47-88d or 47-287, any moneys received as a settlement or award in a housing or employment or public accommodation discrimination case, any court-ordered retroactive rent abatement, including any made pursuant to subsection (e) of section 47a-14h, or section 47a-4a, 47a-5 or 47a-57, or any security deposit refund pursuant to subsection (d) of section 47a-21 paid to a beneficiary of assistance under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive.
(P.A. 77-378; P.A. 81-69, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-277; P.A. 88-131; P.A. 91-225; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 51; P.A. 07-44, S. 2; P.A. 08-45, S. 2; P.A. 19-118, S. 34.)
History: P.A. 81-69 removed the limitation that the town's claim against the proceeds of a cause of action be for only the “nonreimbursable” amount paid to beneficiary; P.A. 85-277 added option of claim for 50% of proceeds received by beneficiary after payment of expenses if less than the amount of aid and added Subsec. (b) re assignment of estate assets to town; P.A. 88-131 limited the amount a town and the state may claim of the proceeds of a cause of action received by a recipient in Subsec. (a) and limited the amount a town and the state may claim re the assignment of interest of a beneficiary in an estate in Subsec. (b); P.A. 91-225 added Subsec. (c) re prohibition on claims made or liens applied against certain payments to beneficiaries; Sec. 17-283a transferred to Sec. 17b-129 in 1995; (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive,” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsecs. (a) to (c), inclusive, by deleting references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act; P.A. 07-44 amended Subsec. (c) by adding “any moneys received as a settlement or award in a housing or discrimination case”, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 08-45 amended Subsec. (c) by exempting moneys received as settlement or award in public accommodation discrimination case from town's claim against proceeds of a cause of action; P.A. 19-118 amended Subsecs. (a) to (c) by deleting references to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.
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Sec. 17b-131. (Formerly Sec. 17-286). Funeral and burial allowance for indigent persons or beneficiaries under the state-administered general assistance program. Reductions. Disclosure of information regarding liquid assets. (a) When a person in any town, or sent from such town to any licensed institution or state humane institution, dies or is found dead therein and does not leave sufficient estate and has no legally liable relative able to pay the cost of a proper funeral and burial, or upon the death of any beneficiary under the state-administered general assistance program, the Commissioner of Social Services shall give to such person a proper funeral and burial, and shall pay a sum not exceeding one thousand three hundred fifty dollars as an allowance toward the funeral expenses of such decedent. Said sum shall be paid, upon submission of a proper bill, to the funeral director, cemetery or crematory, as the case may be. Such payment for funeral and burial expenses shall be reduced by (1) the amount in any revocable or irrevocable funeral fund, (2) any prepaid funeral contract, (3) the face value of any life insurance policy owned by the decedent that names a funeral home, cemetery or crematory as a beneficiary, (4) the net value of all liquid assets in the decedent's estate, and (5) contributions in excess of three thousand four hundred dollars toward such funeral and burial expenses from all other sources including friends, relatives and all other persons, organizations, agencies, veterans' programs and other benefit programs. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 17b-90, whenever payment for funeral, burial or cremation expenses is reduced due to liquid assets in the decedent's estate, the commissioner may disclose information concerning such liquid assets to the funeral director, cemetery or crematory providing funeral, burial or cremation services for the decedent.
(b) The Commissioner of Social Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 2596; 1949, S. 543b; 1953, 1955, S. 1428d; 1963, P.A. 438, S. 8; February, 1965, P.A. 625, S. 7; 1967, P.A. 151, S. 7; 1969, P.A. 730, S. 38; 1971, P.A. 691; 1972, P.A. 154, S. 2; P.A. 77-604, S. 11, 84; P.A. 78-337, S. 9, 11; P.A. 86-290, S. 4, 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 40, 63; P.A. 95-194, S. 11, 33; P.A. 96-209, S. 3; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 48; P.A. 04-16, S. 4; P.A. 06-188, S. 18; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 384; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 45; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 186; P.A. 19-117, S. 312.)
History: 1963 act raised funeral expenses from $150 to $200 and total expense from $300 to $400; 1965 act raised total burial expense to $450; 1967 act raised total burial expense to $500, substituted a “proper” for a “decent” burial and deleted casket description; 1969 act increased funeral expense limit to $250 and total expense limit to $600; 1971 act deleted reference to reimbursement from other towns; 1972 act replaced specific dollar limits on funeral and burial lot costs with reference to “the sum established” under Sec. 17-82n; P.A. 77-604 replaced incorrect reference to Sec. 17-82n with reference to Sec. 17-82q; P.A. 78-337 lumped funeral and burial expenses together with reference to Sec. 17-82q; P.A. 86-290 substituted reference to Sec. 17-81i for reference to Sec. 17-82q; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 amended section to reduce the expenses paid by the town for funeral and burial by the amount of any contributions, entitlements or benefit programs; Sec. 17-286 transferred to Sec. 17b-131 in 1995; P.A. 95-194 changed the maximum allowance towards funeral expenses that a selectman or public official may pay from “the amount established under 17b-84” to $1,200 and amended Subdiv. (4) by lowering the amount of contributions from all other sources from $3,600 to $2,000, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-209 amended Subdiv. (4) by increasing amount of exempted contributions from $2,000 to $2,800; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 substituted “chief executive officer” for “selectmen, or the public official charged with the administration of general assistance” re person responsible for giving a proper funeral and burial, changed “may” to “shall” re payment of sum not exceeding $1,200 toward funeral expenses, deleted “On and after October 1, 1991”, provided that “The Commissioner of Social Services shall reimburse such town for such burial”, deleted provision treating burial expenses as general assistance expenditure and deleted provision imposing $25 fine on any person burying or causing to be buried any person in violation of section, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-16 replaced reference to “chief executive officer of such town” with reference to “Commissioner of Social Services” re person responsible for giving proper funeral and burial and deleted provision re commissioner reimbursing town for burial expenses; P.A. 06-188 increased maximum funeral and burial allowance from $1,200 to $1,800 and provided that such allowance is payable “upon the death of any beneficiary under the state-administered general assistance program”, effective July 1, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 reduced state funeral and burial allowance from $1,800 to $1,400 and increased from $2,800 to $3,200 the amount that may be contributed to such cost before state subsidy is reduced, effective July 1, 2015; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 designated existing provisions re commissioner to give certain persons proper funeral and burial and payment of sum for same as Subsec. (a) and amended same to reduce maximum payment from $1,400 to $1,200, add new Subdiv. (4) re net value of liquid assets in decedent's estate, redesignate existing Subdiv. (4) re contributions from other sources as Subdiv. (5) and amend same to increase $3,200 to $3,400 and replace “veterans' and other benefit programs and other” with “veterans programs and other benefit programs”, and make technical changes, and added Subsec. (b) re adoption of regulations, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by adding “that names a funeral home, cemetery or crematory as a beneficiary”, and adding provision re disclosure of information regarding liquid assets whenever payment is reduced due to such assets, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing burial allowance from $1,200 to $1,350, effective July 1, 2019.
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