LD 1209, Page 2 - 120th Legislature, FIRST REGULAR Session

	Sec. 2. Evaluation; basic needs. By February 15, 2005, the Department
of Human Services shall report to the joint standing committee of
the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human
services matters on the adequacy of Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families benefit levels in the State as compared to the
other New England states as of January 2005 and the extent to
which Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit levels
provide eligible families with income sufficient to meet their
basic needs. In determining the adequacy of Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families benefit levels under the Maine Revised
Statutes, Title 22, section 3769-B, subsection 1-A, the
department shall consult with the Maine Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families Advisory Council and consider generally accepted
standards, market data and other reliable literature showing the
costs of living for low-income families in the State.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble,
this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Department of Human Services to
increase the maximum Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
payments by 10% effective on July 1, 2001 and thereafter to
annually increase benefits so that Maine reaches benefit levels
equivalent to the average benefit level for a family of 3 in the
other New England states in 2004 by July 1, 2005. Those families
receiving the housing special need payment without interruption
since January 1, 2001 will not lose that housing special need
payment as a result of the increase. The bill requires that on
February 15, 2005, the department report to the joint standing
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and
human services matters on the adequacy of the Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families benefit levels.

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