A. Increase the minimum monthly federal payment standard, in addition to that established pursuant to federal law, by an amount of at least $8 per month for an individual and $12 per month for a couple;   [PL 1973, c. 790, §3 (NEW).]

B. For an individual who resides in an adult foster home or boarding home, having a contract with the department for the provision of services to eligible residents, or nursing home, as defined in section 1812‑A, in addition to the benefits provided herein under paragraphs A and C, provide sufficient income to allow the individual for personal needs an amount equal to at least $30 a month, plus an amount sufficient to meet the monthly per resident payment rate as established by the department of the adult foster home or boarding home in which the individual resides; and   [PL 1985, c. 770, §3 (AMD).]

C. For a beneficiary who resides in a living arrangement which meets a living arrangement classification established by the department, but who does not reside in an adult foster home or boarding home, in addition to the minimum federal payment level as adjusted pursuant to paragraph A, provide, based on such living arrangement classification, an amount not to exceed $42 per month for an individual and $63 per month for a couple.   [PL 1973, c. 790, §3 (NEW).]

A. The limitation on eligibility of certain individuals established in subsections (e)(i)(A) and (e)(i)(B) of section 1611 of Title XVI of the United States Social Security Act, as amended, shall apply to benefits provided pursuant to this section.   [PL 1979, c. 563, §2 (AMD).]

B.   [P&SL 1975, c. 90, §S, §1 (RP).]

A. If an agreement cannot include payment levels and variations thereof to provide the individual sufficient income to meet the monthly per resident payment rate for boarding home care, the department shall take any and all reasonable action necessary to the goal of achieving, within a reasonable time, a payment structure for each boarding home that will permit execution of an agreement with the secretary for administration of all state supplemental income benefits.   [PL 1973, c. 790, §3 (NEW).]

B. In the unfortunate and unlikely event that such an agreement cannot be effected to provide the individual sufficient income as specified in subsection 1, paragraph B, the department may provide a special grant whenever the benefit pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph B, is insufficient to meet the rate set for a boarding home. The department shall make such special grant preferably via a vendor payment system or via payment to a payee designated by the individual, or if necessary, via payment to the individual. Noting the intent of Title XVI of the United States Social Security Act, as amended, the administrative efficiencies, and the substantial cost savings to Maine taxpayers, it is the intent of the Legislature that the department shall take any and all reasonable action to obtain the approval of the secretary for a system of vendor payments for such special grants.   [RR 1991, c. 1, §30 (COR).]

A. It is the declared intent of this Act that, if it is proposed that benefits provided pursuant to subsection 1 are to be increased on any future date, that such proposal shall recommend, and implementation of such increases shall provide, that the benefits pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph A, shall be increased, and the benefits pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph B, shall be increased, rather than increasing benefits pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph C.   [PL 1973, c. 790, §3 (NEW).]

B.   [PL 1991, c. 528, Pt. E, §24 (AMD); PL 1991, c. 528, Pt. RRR (AFF); PL 1991, c. 591, Pt. E, §24 (AMD); MRSA T. 22 §3273, sub-§6, ¶ B (RP).]

B-1. On July 1st of every year, the sum of the monthly amount of any state supplemental income benefit authorized by subsection 1, paragraphs A and C, plus the amount of the minimum monthly federal supplemental security income in effect at that time must be increased by a percentage amount equal to the percentage rise in the United States Consumer Price Index for April 1st of that year over the level of the Index for April 1st of the previous year plus any additional percentage amount as is recommended annually by the department. Such an increase may be made only insofar as appropriations are available. In determining the additional percentage amount, consideration must be given to the goal of reaching, within a reasonable time, a benefit level equal to or consistent with the current budget at the lower level of living for a retired couple established by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for Portland, Maine.  

A. The department shall provide assistance to all aliens lawfully residing in the United States who would be eligible for assistance under the federal supplemental security income program, 42 United States Code, Section 1381, et seq. except for the provisions of Sections 401, 402 and 403 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.   [PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. WW, §1 (NEW).]

B. The total amount of monthly assistance provided under this section must equal the amount that the individual would be eligible to receive under the federal supplemental security income program, 42 United States Code, Section 1382, or its successor, if the individual were eligible for that program, and the state supplemental income payment provided to eligible individuals under section 3274.   [PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. WW, §1 (NEW).]