ACF/AL Members: Contact Your Lawmakers Now on EQUAL and SSI Issues

Two new bills were introduced this week that are of significance for Adult Care Facilities (ACF) and Assisted Living (AL) members. Please take a look at the advocacy action items below and email your lawmakers now, urging them to support and pass these important pieces of legislation. As always, feel free to modify or personalize the letter as you desire.

Increase the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) rates for low-income seniors in ACFs: This legislation is part of an ongoing effort to get an increase in the State portion of the SSI rate for ACFs, along with a built in future cost of living adjustment to prevent the rate from getting so far away from the cost of providing care. Please email your lawmakers now, urging them to co-sponsor and pass A.7393-A (Brindisi)-S.5151 (Little). 

Amend EQUAL language to enable the expenditure of funds retrospectively, within the fiscal year: This initiative is part of LeadingAge NY's ongoing advocacy efforts to resolve an issue in the recently enacted budget, which disallowed EQUAL funds to be used for expenses incurred prior to the release of the application and funding. This legislation would resolve the issue so that, consistent with past practice, EQUAL funds can be used for expenses incurred within the fiscal year, even if they are retrospective, as long as they are consistent with the EQUAL program objectives and approved by the organization's resident council. Please email your lawmakers now, urging them to co-sponsor and pass A.7502 (Gottfried)-S 5346 (Hannon).

Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org or Alyssa Lovelace, alovelace@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383