Relates to the standards of monthly need for persons in receipt of public assistance

• Democratic33

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

Certain individuals and families who are unhoused are eligible for monthly personal and special needs allowances, providing them a limited amount of money to cover their necessities. However, individuals and families who live in shelters that provide meals receive a lesser amount to cover the cost of "clothing and incidentals." The personal and special needs allowances for these individuals have not been raised in more than two decades. Currently, individuals may be eligible to receive $45 per month and families are eligible to receive $63 per month per household member. For a mother and child living in a shelter that provides meals, this means they must live on just $4.20 a day. This allowance is simply not enough to cover the necessities that individuals and families require, including medications, clothing and transportation, to name just a few. By keeping these allowances low, families are forced to make decisions daily such as whether to pay for bus fare for a job interview or purchase medication for their child. This legislation will increase the personal and special needs allowances for individuals and families in shelters that provide meals, bringing it in line with the amounts provided to individuals and families in temporary shelters, and allowing them a greater ability to climb out of poverty.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.