Sec. 17b-191. Operation of state-administered general assistance program. Cash assistance. Eligibility. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 17b-191. Operation of state-administered general assistance program. Cash assistance. Eligibility. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 17b-190, 17b-195 and 17b-196, the Commissioner of Social Services shall operate a state-administered general assistance program in accordance with this section and sections 17b-131, 17b-192 to 17b-194, inclusive, 17b-197 and 17b-198. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, on and after October 1, 2003, no town shall be reimbursed by the state for any general assistance medical benefits incurred after September 30, 2003, and on and after March 1, 2004, no town shall be reimbursed by the state for any general assistance cash benefits or general assistance program administrative costs incurred after February 29, 2004.

      (b) No earlier than September 1, 2003, but not later than October 1, 2003, the state-administered general assistance program pursuant to this section and any general assistance program operated by a town shall provide cash assistance of (1) two hundred dollars per month to a single unemployable person upon determination of such person's unemployability; (2) two hundred dollars per month for a single transitional individual who is required to pay for shelter; and (3) fifty dollars per month for a single transitional individual who is not required to pay for shelter. No earlier than September 1, 2003, but not later than October 1, 2003, eligible families shall receive cash assistance in an amount that is fifty dollars less than the standard of assistance such family would receive under the temporary family assistance program. The standard of assistance paid for individuals residing in rated boarding facilities, shall remain at the level in effect on August 31, 2003. No individual shall be eligible for cash assistance under the program if eligible for cash assistance under any other state or federal cash assistance program.

      (c) To be eligible for cash assistance under the program, a person shall (1) be (A) eighteen years of age or older; (B) a minor found by a court to be emancipated pursuant to section 46b-150; (C) under eighteen years of age and a member of a family eligible for cash or medical assistance under the program; or (D) under eighteen years of age and the commissioner determines good cause for such person's eligibility, and (2) not have assets exceeding two hundred fifty dollars. No person who is a substance abuser and refuses or fails to enter available, appropriate treatment shall be eligible for cash assistance under the program until such person enters treatment. No person whose benefits from the temporary family assistance program have terminated as a result of time-limited benefits or for compliance with a program requirement shall be eligible for cash assistance under the program.

      (d) Prior to or upon discontinuance of assistance, a person previously determined to be a transitional individual may petition the commissioner to review the determination of his or her status. In such review, the commissioner shall consider factors, including, but not limited to: (1) Age; (2) education; (3) vocational training; (4) mental and physical health; and (5) employment history and shall make a determination of such person's ability to obtain gainful employment.

      (June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 42; P.A. 04-76, S. 47; P.A. 08-28, S. 1.)

      History: June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting references to Secs. 17b-7, 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act and making a technical change (Revisor's note: In 2005, a reference to repealed Sec. 17b-111b was deleted editorially by the Revisors in Subsec. (a)); P.A. 08-28 amended Subsec. (d) to remove time limits imposed on certain transitional individuals receiving cash assistance and remove the one-year period of ineligibility imposed on a transitional individual who is determined by commissioner to be employable.

      See Sec. 17b-192 re medical assistance component of state-administered general assistance program.