Low-income Pennsylvanians living in personal care homes have received an increase in personal needs allowance from the state for the first time since 1993.
A recent policy statement issued by Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare (DPW), with support from state representatives Phyllis Mundy and Jim Marshall, allows individuals in personal care homes to keep more of their own money at no cost to the state.
"A lot of people went above and beyond to ensure that residents of personal care homes received more dollars for essentials," said Sue Walther, executive director of The Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania.
Despite an increase in living expenses, the personal needs allowance, or PNA, amount had not changed in sixteen years. Due to Medicare Part D, the expenses that residents of personal care homes must now cover with their PNA are significantly greater than they were in 1993.
When the federal government recently raised the SSI benefit for each individual by $37, the Pennsylvania DPW issued a policy statement allowing individuals living in personal care homes to keep $25 of that money, bringing the total amount of the personal needs allowance to $85.
The DPW's decision did not cost the state more than it currently spends; and personal care homes will not lose any money. This decision by Estelle Richman, DPW secretary, was influenced by several lawmakers, notably representatives Marshall and Mundy.
"This decision will make a significant difference to more than 9,000 low-income Pennsylvanians," said Rachel Freund, policy advocate coordinator for PA Mental Health Consumers' Association.