Griffo Calls For Increase In Personal Needs Allowance

Senator Joseph Griffo is co-sponsoring legislation that would increase the monthly person needs allowance for nursing home residents who received Medicaid from $50 to $75.

He was joined today by advocates for nursing home care, staff members and residents of local nursing homes.

Griffo says the allowance has remained at $50 since the early 1980s, while the cost of living has constantly risen year after year.  He says the personal need allowance is paid out of Medicaid, so the proposed increase would cost the state about $25 million in the first year.

The legislation is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Kenneth LaValle.

It would also provide a monthly allowance of $75 for people in residential programs for domestic violence victims.

There is a companion bill in the Assembly.