Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §4301, sub-§8-A, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 840, §3, is amended to read:

8-A. Lump sum payment. "Lump sum payment" means a one-time or typically nonrecurring sum of money issued to an applicant or recipient after an initial application. Lump sum payment includes, but is not limited to, retroactive or settlement portions of social security benefits, workers' compensation payments, unemployment benefits, disability income, veterans' benefits, severance pay benefits, or money received from inheritances, lottery winnings, personal injury awards, property damage claims or divorce settlements. A lump sum payment includes only the amount of money available to the applicant after payment of required deductions has been made from the gross lump sum payment. A lump sum payment does not include conversion of a nonliquid resource to a liquid resource if the liquid resource has been used or is intended to be used to replace the converted resource or for other necessary expenses.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the definition of a "lump sum payment" governing eligibility for general assistance to be consistent with other portions of the law.