ASSISTANCE FOR ADULT UNABLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY

House Bill 5936

Sponsor: Rep. Ron Jelinek

Committee: Family and Children Services

Complete to 7-25-02

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5936 AS INTRODUCED 4-23-02

Under the Social Welfare Act, the Family Independence Agency (FIA) is permitted to develop policies establishing income and asset limitations to determine an individual's eligibility for assistance programs administered by the FIA. The bill would add that when developing the income and asset limitations, for adults who are unable to live without assistance due to physical or mental disability and who do not live in a health facility or agency, the FIA would consider only that adult's income and assets when determining eligibility.

In addition, the act requires the FIA to establish income and asset levels for eligibility and types of income and assets to be considered in making eligibility determinations for the state Family Independence Program. The bill would add that when determining whether an adult who is unable to live without assistance due to physical or mental disability and who does not live in a health facility or agency meets the income and asset levels, the FIA would only consider that adult's income and assets.

The act also requires that the recipient of any assistance notify the county FIA of any property or income that the recipient or his or her spouse takes possession of, after the grant for assistance has been approved. The bill would specify that, in the case of an adult who is unable to live without assistance due to physical or mental disability and who does not live in a health facility or agency, the recipient would not have to notify the county FIA if his or her spouse takes possession of any property or income after a grant for assistance has been approved.

Finally, the bill would add to the definition of 'family', an adult who is unable to live without assistance due to physical or mental disability and who does not live in a health facility.

MCL 400.6 et al.

Analyst: M. Wolf

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.