Department of Transitional Assistance

Department of Transitional Assistance.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, items 4400-1000, 4400-1100, 4400-9999, 4401-1000, 4403-2000, 4403-2110 and 4403-2120 shall be charged to the Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund according to the approximate percentage established in each such item, pursuant to the provisions of section 219 of this act.

State Appropriations

4400-1000

For the central administration of the department, including the development and maintenance of automated data processing systems and services in support of department operations, and for the administration of department programs in local transitional assistance offices including the expenses of operating a food stamp program; provided, that $350,000 shall be expended on a food stamp outreach program; provided further, that the department shall maintain a transitional assistance office at 294 Bowdoin street in the Dorchester section of the city of Boston, provided that said office shall be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; provided further, that during fiscal year 1998 the department shall maintain the existing transitional assistance offices on Liberty street and State street located in the city of Springfield; provided further, that all costs associated with verifying disability for all programs of the department shall be paid from this item; provided further, that associated expenses of employees whose AA subsidiary payroll costs, so-called, are paid from item 4400-1100 of section 2 shall be paid from this item; provided further, that the DD subsidiary costs, so-called, shall be paid from item 4400-9999; provided further, that the AA subsidiary payroll costs, so-called, for such employees shall not be paid from this item; provided further, that the department shall collect all out-of-court settlement restitution payments, so-called; provided further, that said restitution payments shall include, but not be limited to, installment and lump sum payments; provided further, that the department shall file quarterly reports with the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the total amount of fraudulently obtained benefits identified by the bureau of special investigations of the department of public safety, the total value of said settlement restitution payments, actual monthly collections, and any circumstances that produce shortfalls in said collections; provided further, that notwithstanding any provision of general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise expressly provided, federal reimbursements, other than transitional aid to needy families funds, received for the purposes of the department, including reimbursements for administrative, fringe and overhead costs, for fiscal year 1998 and prior fiscal years, shall be credited to the General Fund; provided further, that the department shall submit on a monthly basis to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the secretary of administration and finance a status report on program expenditures, savings and revenues, error rate measurements, public assistance caseloads and benefits; provided further, that said report shall comprehensively track statewide use of the emergency assistance program by eligibility category including, but not limited to, caseload, average length of use or stay, and monthly expenditures; provided further, that no funds shall be expended from this item for the compensation of unit eight employees, so-called; provided further, that the expenses of a finger imaging pilot program, so-called, shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that the department shall make a payment of $50,000 from this item to the Amity Transitional Housing Program, so-called, in the city of Lynn for prior fiscal year costs, in recognition of the department's failure to pay said vendor in fiscal year 1997

......................................................$69,529,768

General Fund .................. 65.03%

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund .................. 34.97%

4400-1100

For AA subsidiary payroll, so-called, of the department's caseworkers, so-called; provided, that only employees of bargaining unit eight, so-called, as identified in the Massachusetts personnel administrative reporting and information system, so-called, shall be paid from this item; and provided further, that any other expenses associated with said employees shall be paid from items 4400-1000 and 4400-9999

......................................................$57,944,072

General Fund .................. 76.16%

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund .................. 23.84%

4400-9999

For the payment of charges assessed to the department of transitional assistance for the payment of workers compensation, unemployment insurance, medicare taxes, health security plan, and the group insurance commission extended leave chargeback, so-called; provided, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, prior to April 15, 1998 all funds appropriated herein shall be scheduled in the DD subsidiary, so-called; provided further, that after said date, the commissioner of the department of transitional assistance, with the approval of the secretary of administration and finance, is hereby authorized to transfer from said DD subsidiary to the KK subsidiary, so-called, or the NN subsidiary, so-called, of this account, an amount not to exceed 15 per cent of the funds appropriated herein, if the secretary of administration and finance certifies in writing to the house and senate committees on ways and means that the following conditions have been met: (1) that the charges owed by the department for workers compensation, unemployment insurance, medicare taxes, health security plan, and the group insurance commission extended leave chargeback are less than the amount appropriated herein; (2) that the department does not require any supplemental appropriation in any of its other items of appropriation; (3) that the department is expected to meet the revenue targets established in sections 1A and 1B; and (4) that the department has not expended any funds for the payment of workers compensation, unemployment insurance, medicare taxes, health security plan, and the group insurance commission extended leave chargeback, so-called, in any of its other items of appropriation; provided further, that the secretary of administration and finance shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means of all transfers of funds between subsidiaries as authorized herein; and provided further, that no funds shall be scheduled to any subsidiary in this account which is not explicitly referenced herein

......................................................$1,374,113

General Fund .................. 65.03%

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund .................. 34.97%

4401-1000

For a program to provide employment and training services for recipients of benefits provided under the program of transitional aid to families with dependent children and the absent parents of said recipients; provided, that certain parents who have not yet reached the age of 18 years, including those who are ineligible for transitional aid to families with dependent children, and who would qualify for benefits under the provisions of chapter 118 of the General Laws, but for the deeming of the grandparents' income, shall be allowed to participate in the employment services program; provided further, that the department may allocate funds from this item to other agencies, including community colleges in the commonwealth for the purposes of the employment services program; provided further, that funds from this item shall be expended for the 100 careers program at Roxbury community college to recruit, train, counsel, and place in employment 100 new students with one or more dependents who are receiving transitional assistance benefits and to provide workforce development in cooperation with employers; provided further, that no funds from this item shall be expended for day care or informal child care; provided further, that expenditures shall not exceed the amount appropriated herein; provided further, that the MassJOBS Council and the department of transitional assistance shall explore all federal reimbursements relating to job training programs to augment state appropriations; provided further, that the MassJOBS Council shall explore all other job training initiatives within the commonwealth to supplement the programs funded herein; provided further, that the payments for the costs of transportation to an approved activity by means other than public transportation or private automobile shall be permitted only when transportation by public means or private automobile is not reasonably available and affordable, and shall be subject to reasonable maximums determined by the department; provided further, that $100,000 shall be expended for the purposes of an employment services program for refugee training and employment for the recipients of said program in Boston; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be made available to the Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket regional employment board for the purpose of developing a pre-employment training program for human service vendors which shall include, but not be limited to, training for welfare recipients under the full employment program or under the community service program as defined in subsection (k) of section 110 of chapter 5 of the acts of 1995; provided further, that said training program shall be developed by Cape Cod community college in conjunction with the department of mental health, the department of transitional assistance, the department of mental retardation, the deputy director of workforce development, and five human service vendors to be named by the regional employment board and presented to the Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket regional employment board for approval and implementation no later than October 15, 1998; provided further, that $161,343 shall be expended for the administrative costs of a project at Northern Essex Community College; provided further, that $300,000 shall be expended for the Parent's Fair Share program operated by Spectra Management Services Corporation, Inc., of Springfield; provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended for English as a Second Language Skills Training program for DTA-TAFDC recipients in the Greater New Bedford Service Delivery Area; provided further, that the annualized value of the programs funded in this item shall not exceed in fiscal year 1999 the amount appropriated herein; and provided further, that the department shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means of all allocations made from this item

......................................................$24,944,367

General Fund .................. 75.0%

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund .................. 25.0%

4403-2000

For a program of transitional aid to families with dependent children; provided, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, benefits from this item shall be paid only to citizens of the United States and to noncitizens for whom federal funds may be used to provide benefits; provided further, that the need standard shall be equal to the standard in effect in fiscal year 1989; provided further, that the payment standard shall be equal to the need standard; provided further, that the payment standard for families who do not qualify for an exempt category of assistance under the provisions of subsection (e) of section 110 of chapter 5 of the acts of 1995 shall be 23/4 per cent below the payment standard in effect in fiscal year 1995, pursuant to the provisions of the state plan required under the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, so-called; provided further, that the department shall notify all teen parents receiving benefits from said program of the requirements found in clause 2 of subsection (i) of said section 110 of said chapter 5; provided further, that a $40 per month rent allowance shall be paid to all households incurring a rent or mortgage expense and not residing in public housing or subsidized housing; provided further, that a nonrecurring children's clothing allowance in the amount of $150 shall be provided to each child eligible under this program in September, 1997; provided further, that said children's clothing allowance shall be included in the standard of need for the month of September, 1997; provided further, that the department shall assure that eligibility is redetermined in the month of October for any applicant made eligible for assistance by virtue of said increase in the standard of need; provided further, that benefits under this program shall not be available to those families where a child has been removed from the household pursuant to a court order after a care and protection hearing on child abuse, nor to adult recipients otherwise eligible for transitional aid to families with dependent children but for the temporary removal of the dependent child or children from the home by the department of social services in accordance with department procedures; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of section 2 of chapter 118 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, the department shall render aid to pregnant women with no other eligible dependent children only if it has been medically verified that the child is expected to be born within the month such payments are to be made or within the three-month period following such month of payment, and who, if such child had been born and was living with her in the month of payment would be categorically and financially eligible for transitional aid to families with dependent children benefits; provided further, that certain families that suffer a reduction in benefits due to a loss of earned income and participation in retrospective budgeting may receive a supplemental benefit to compensate them for such loss; provided further, that no funds from this item shall be expended by the department for daycare or transportation services for the employment and training program; provided further, that no funds from this item shall be expended by the department for family reunification benefits or informal child care; provided further, that child support payments collected pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, not to exceed an amount of $32,500,000 shall be credited to this account and may be expended without further appropriation for the purposes of this program; provided further, that in promulgating, amending, or rescinding its regulations with respect to eligibility for, or levels of, benefits under said program, the department shall take into account the amounts available to it for expenditure by this item so as not to exceed the appropriation; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law or of this item to the contrary, 30 days before implementing any eligibility or benefit changes, or both, to the program, the commissioner shall file with the house and senate committees on ways and means and with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate a determination by the secretary of health and human services that available appropriations for said program will be insufficient to meet projected expenses and a report setting forth the basis for, and text of, such proposed changes; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the comptroller is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unexpended balance remaining in this item at the close of the fiscal year to the Caseload Increase Mitigation Fund, pursuant to the provisions of section 50 of this act

......................................................$409,005,488

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund .................. 61.98%

General Fund .................. 38.02%

4403-2002

For a program of supplemental transitional aid to families with dependent children pursuant to the provisions of section 210; provided, that benefits under this item shall be provided only to persons who are not citizens of the United States, and for whom, pursuant to section 401, 402 or 403 of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, 8 U.S.C. section 1611, 1612 or 1613, federal funds may not be used to provide benefits pursuant to chapter 118 of the General Laws, but who are qualified aliens within the meaning of section 431 of said Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, 8 U.S.C. section 1641 or are otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law; provided further, that the number of assistance units receiving benefits funded from this item at any one time shall not exceed the number of assistance units comprised of qualified aliens or persons permanently residing under color of law which were receiving benefits provided under item 4403-2000 of chapter 151 of the acts of 1996 on June 1, 1997, plus 640 assistance units; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, or any provisions of this act to the contrary, no benefits under this item shall be made available to illegal or undocumented aliens; provided further, that the need standard shall be equal to the standard in effect in fiscal year 1989; provided further, that the payment standard shall be equal to the need standard; provided further, that the payment standard for families who do not qualify for an exempt category of assistance under the provisions of subsection (e) of section 110 of chapter 5 of the acts of 1995 shall be 23/4 per cent below the payment standard in effect in fiscal year 1995; provided further, that the department shall notify all teen parents receiving benefits from said program of the requirements found in clause 2 of subsection (i) of said section 110 of said chapter 5; provided further, that a $40 per month rent allowance shall be paid to all households incurring a rent or mortgage expense and not residing in public housing or subsidized housing; provided further, that a nonrecurring children's clothing allowance in the amount of $150 shall be provided to each child eligible under this program in September, 1997; provided further, that said children's clothing allowance shall be included in the standard of need for the month of September, 1997; provided further, that the department shall assure that eligibility is redetermined in the month of October for any applicant made eligible for assistance by virtue of said increase in the standard of need; provided further, that benefits under this program shall not be available to those families where a child has been removed from the household pursuant to a court order after a care and protection hearing on child abuse, nor to adult recipients otherwise eligible for supplemental transitional aid to families with dependent children but for the temporary removal of the dependent child or children from the home by the department of social services in accordance with department procedures; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of section 2 of chapter 118 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, the department shall render aid to pregnant women with no other eligible dependent children only if it has been medically verified that the child is expected to be born within the month such payments are to be made or within the three-month period following such month of payment, and who, if such child had been born and was living with her in the month of payment would be categorically and financially eligible for supplemental transitional aid to families with dependent children benefits; provided further, that certain families that suffer a reduction in benefits due to a loss of earned income and participation in retrospective budgeting may receive a supplemental benefit to compensate them for such loss; provided further, that no funds from this item shall be expended by the department for daycare or transportation services for the employment and training program; provided further, that no funds from this item shall be expended by the department for family reunification benefits or informal child care; provided further, that in promulgating, amending, or rescinding its regulations with respect to eligibility for, or levels of, benefits under said program, the department shall take into account the amounts available to it for expenditure by this item so as not to exceed the appropriation; and provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law or of this item to the contrary, 30 days before implementing any eligibility or benefit changes or both to the program, the commissioner shall file with the house and senate committees on ways and means and with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate a determination by the secretary of health and human services that available appropriations for said program will be insufficient to meet projected expenses and a report setting forth the basis for, and text of, such proposed changes

......................................................$20,710,400

4403-2013

The department may expend an amount not to exceed $32,500,000, in accordance with the provisions of items 4403-2000 of section 2, accrued from the child support payments collected pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, for the purposes of the program of transitional aid to families with dependent children

......................................................$32,500,000

4403-2110

For expenses of the emergency assistance program directly attributable to rent liability; provided, that no funds may be expended for heat or utility arrearages, so-called; provided further, that the department may provide limited related services in the event of a disaster as defined by regulations promulgated by the department; provided further, that said services shall be defined as payments for advance rent, security deposits, sheltering, housing search, food, clothing and housing supplies; provided further, that in promulgating, amending, or rescinding regulations with respect to eligibility or benefits under said program, the department shall take into account the amounts available to it for expenditure by this item so as not to exceed the appropriation; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary or of this item to the contrary, 30 days before promulgating any such eligibility or benefit changes, the commissioner shall file with the house and senate committees on ways and means and with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate a determination by the secretary of health and human services that available appropriations for said program will be insufficient to meet projected expenses and a report setting forth such proposed changes; provided further, that the department shall prepare and promulgate rules and regulations to prevent abuse in the emergency assistance program in items 4403-2110 and 4403-2120 of section 2; provided further, that said rules and regulations shall include but not be limited to a year to year cross check of recipients to determine if a person has received similar benefits in the previous 36 months; provided further, that if a person has utilized emergency assistance benefits more than once within 36 months, the department is hereby authorized and directed to place said person on a protective payment schedule for the entire period during which said person is receiving said benefits; provided further, that no advance payments shall be paid in fiscal year 1998; provided further, that benefits under this item shall be provided only to residents who are citizens of the United States or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing under color of law in the United States and shall not be provided to illegal or undocumented aliens; provided further, that the department of transitional assistance shall promulgate regulations consistent with the provisions of this item and section 210, not later than July 15, 1997; provided further, that nothing herein shall give rise to enforceable legal rights in any party or an enforceable entitlement to services other than to the extent that such rights or entitlements exist pursuant to the regulations promulgated by the department or said section 210; provided further, that nothing stated herein shall be construed as giving rise to enforceable legal rights or enforceable entitlement to any services other than to the extent that such rights or entitlements exist pursuant to regulations promulgated by the department or said section 210; provided further, that nothing in the two preceding provisos shall authorize the department to alter eligibility criteria or benefit levels, except to the extent that such changes are needed to avoid a deficiency in this item; and provided further, that no emergency assistance expenditures shall be paid from this item unless explicitly authorized by this item

......................................................$10,184,795

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund .................. 87.40%

General Fund .................. 12.60%

4403-2119

For the provision of structured settings as provided in subsection (i) of section 110 of chapter 5 of the acts of 1995 for parents under the age of 20 who are receiving benefits under the transitional aid to families with dependent children program, provided, that $125,000 shall be expended for an independent evaluation of all programs for teen parents and their children administered by the departments of transitional assistance and social services; and provided further, that said evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the impact of the provisions of chapter 5 of the acts of 1995, including an analysis of the structured settings funded herein, and the provisions of the federal personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, so-called

......................................................$5,341,813

4403-2120

For certain expenses of the emergency assistance program as herein delineated: (i) contracted family shelters; (ii) transitional housing program; (iii) program to reduce homelessness in Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties; (iv) residential education center for single mothers with children; (v) intake centers, so-called; (vi) hotel and motel payments on behalf of homeless families; and (vii) voucher shelters, so-called; provided, that not more than $76,650 may be expended for the hotel and motel emergency assistance program; provided further, that no funds may be expended for heat or utility arrearages, so-called; provided further, that in promulgating, amending, or rescinding regulations with respect to eligibility or benefits under said program, the department shall take into account the amounts available to it for expenditure by this item so as not to exceed the appropriation; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary or this item to the contrary, 30 days before promulgating any such eligibility or benefit changes, the commissioner shall file with the house and senate committees on ways and means and with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate a determination by the secretary of health and human services that available appropriations for said program will be insufficient to meet projected expenses and a report setting forth such proposed changes; provided further, that the department is authorized to enter into an interagency service agreement with the division of housing and community development for a program to prevent homelessness; provided further, that not more than $4,563,333 shall be expended for said program; provided further, that not less than $26,959,160 shall be expended on contracted family shelters; provided further, that of the amount authorized for said contracted family shelters, not less than $798,483 shall be expended for the Safe Harbor shelter, so-called; provided further, that of the amount authorized for said contracted family shelters, not less $310,000 shall be expended for the operation of the emergency family shelter operated by Emmaus Inc. of Haverhill; provided further, that of the amount authorized for said contracted family shelters, not more than $20,000 shall be expended for Champ House; provided further, that $474,956 shall be expended by the Louison foundation of Brockton to operate a six-family homeless shelter; provided further, that the department is directed to enter into four contracts to provide transitional housing for homeless families; provided further, that not more than $1,280,648 shall be expended on said transitional housing program; provided further, that no more than $300,000 shall be expended for the purpose of a program to reduce homelessness for needy families in Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties as provided in section 253 of chapter 60 of the acts of 1994; provided further, that at least as many shelter spaces as were provided for homeless families during fiscal year 1997 be made available in fiscal year 1998; provided further, that the winter shelters, so-called, be operated year-round; provided further, that $104,148 shall be expended for a furniture donation pickup van; provided further, that the department shall promulgate regulations to prevent abuse in the emergency assistance program in items 4403-2110 and 4403-2120 of section 2; provided further, that said rules and regulations shall include but not be limited to a year to year cross check of recipients to determine if a person has received similar benefits in the previous 36 months; provided further, that if a person has utilized emergency assistance benefits more than once within 36 months, the department is hereby authorized and directed to place said person on a protective payment schedule for the entire period during which said person is receiving said benefits; provided further, that no advance payments shall be paid in fiscal year 1998; provided further, that no emergency assistance expenditures shall be paid from this item unless explicitly authorized by this item; provided further, that benefits under this item shall be provided only to residents who are citizens of the United States or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing under color of law in the United States and shall not be provided to illegal or undocumented aliens; provided further, that the department of transitional assistance shall promulgate regulations consistent with the provisions of this item and section 210 of this act not later than July 15, 1997; provided further, that nothing herein shall give rise to enforceable legal rights in any party or an enforceable entitlement to services other than to the extent that such rights or entitlements exist pursuant to the regulations promulgated by the department or said section; provided further, that nothing stated herein shall be construed as giving rise to enforceable legal rights or enforceable entitlement to any services other than to the extent that such rights or entitlements exist pursuant to the regulations promulgated by the department or said section; and provided further, that nothing in the two preceding provisos shall authorize the department to alter eligibility criteria or benefit levels, except to the extent that such changes are needed to avoid a deficiency in this item

......................................................$34,398,742

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund .................. 89.0%

General Fund .................. 10.0%

4405-2000

For the state supplement to the supplemental security income program for the aged and disabled, including a program for emergency needs for supplemental security income recipients; provided, that the expenses of special grants recipients residing in rest homes, as provided in section 7A of chapter 118A of the General Laws, may be paid from this item; provided further, that the department of transitional assistance, in collaboration with the division of medical assistance, is hereby authorized to fund an optional supplement living arrangement category under the supplemental security income program that makes payments to persons living in assisted living residences certified pursuant to chapter 19D of the General Laws who meet the income and clinical eligibility criteria established by the department and said division; provided further, that said optional category of payments shall only be administered in conjunction with the medicaid group adult foster care benefit; provided further, that notwithstanding provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, persons receiving services under the provisions of subsection (a) of section 6 of chapter 354 of the acts of 1994 on June 30, 1996 shall continue to receive said services until the implementation of said optional category of payments; provided further, that the expenses of a program to aid emergency aid to the elderly, disabled and children recipients in becoming eligible for said supplemental security income program may be paid from this item; and provided further, that of any federal administrative costs assessed to the state for issuing state supplemental payments, half shall be paid from a corresponding portion of said payment

......................................................$172,969,659

4406-3000

For the homelessness program to assist individuals who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, including assistance to organizations which provide food, shelter, housing search, and limited related services to the homeless and indigent; provided, that the department may allocate funds to other agencies for the purposes of this program; provided further, that the department shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means of all such allocations; provided further, that $987,431 shall be expended for the health care for the homeless programs in Boston, Worcester and Springfield, including not less than $563,345 for the Boston health care for the homeless program; provided further, that not less than $48,400 shall be expended for the provision of health services to the homeless and uninsured by Primary Care and Mental Health, Inc., located in the city of Lynn; provided further, that not less than $235,000 shall be expended for Our Fathers House in Fitchburg; provided further, that not less than $2,102,584 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance; provided further, that not less than $659,996 shall be expended for the Middlesex Shelter in Lowell; provided further, that not less than $84,000 shall be expended for the Boston Rescue Mission; provided further, that not less than $271,989 shall be expended for the Market Ministries shelter in New Bedford; provided further, that not less than $11,974,345 shall be expended for a contract with the Pine Street Inn located in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $1,181,539 shall be expended for a comprehensive multi-service day treatment program for the homeless in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than a total of $4,205,182 shall be expended for the PIP shelter in Worcester, the daybreak shelter in Lawrence, and the Long Island shelter in Boston; provided further, that not less than $247,500 shall be expended for the Friends of the Homeless shelter in Springfield; provided further, that $503,556 shall be expended for the Cambridge Salvation Army; provided further, that not less than $187,000 from this item shall be expended for a contract with ServiceNet, Inc., to operate homeless shelters in Hampshire and Franklin counties; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, $165,000 shall be obligated for a contract with the SHADOWS project in Natick, for the provision of shelter services to homeless women; provided further, that not less than $624,494 shall be expended for the Quincy Interfaith Sheltering Coalition; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for the Samaritan Inn homeless shelter in Westfield; provided further, that not less than $215,824 shall be expended for a shelter operated by Emmaus, Inc. of Haverhill; provided further, that not less than $116,000 shall be expended for the Marlborough Shelter program, so-called; provided further, that $140,000 shall be expended for the Meadows program, so-called; provided further, that $275,000 shall be expended for the Turning Point program, so-called; provided further, that not less than $187,539 shall be expended for a contract with the Berkshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross; provided further, that not less than $194,872 shall be expended for a contract with the Somerville Homeless Coalition; provided further, that not less than $468,498 shall be expended for a contract with the Housing Assistance Corporation in Hyannis; provided further, that not less than $132,019 shall be expended for the Project Place day services program in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $40,000 shall be expended for a contract with the Hyannis Salvation Army; provided further, that not less than $95,000 shall be expended for a contract with Sylvia's Haven at Devens to provide transitional housing to pregnant and parenting women and girls; provided further, that not less than $90,000 shall be expended for a contract with the Mary E. Sargent House to provide transitional housing services to women and children; provided further, that the department is hereby authorized and directed to provide a rate increase to homeless service providers who received payment from this item in fiscal years 1996 and 1997, and who did not receive a rate increase in fiscal year 1997; provided further, that said rate increase shall not exceed 10 per cent of the value of said service providers' contracts in fiscal year 1996; and provided further, that at least as many shelter spaces as were provided for homeless families and individuals during fiscal year 1997 shall be made available in fiscal year 1998

......................................................$29,500,005

4408-1000

For a program of cash assistance to certain residents of the commonwealth pursuant to chapter 117A of the General Laws, entitled emergency aid to the elderly, disabled and children found by the department to be eligible for such aid, pursuant to regulations promulgated by said department and subject to the limitations of appropriation therefore; provided, that benefits under this item shall only be provided to residents who are citizens of the United States or qualified aliens, so-called, or non-citizens otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law and shall not be provided to illegal or undocumented aliens; provided further, that the payment standard shall equal the payment standard in effect under the general relief program in fiscal year 1991; provided further, that a $35 rent allowance, to the extent possible within the amount of this appropriation, shall be paid to all households incurring a rent or mortgage expense and not residing in public housing or subsidized housing; provided further, that the department may provide benefits to persons age 65 or older who have applied for benefits under chapter 118A of the General Laws, to persons suffering from a medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments which is expected to last for a period as determined by department regulations and which substantially reduces or eliminates the individual's capacity to support him or herself and which have been verified by a competent authority, to certain persons caring for a disabled person, to otherwise eligible participants in the vocational rehabilitation program of the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission, to otherwise eligible students under age 21 who are regularly attending a full time grade, high school, technical or vocational school not beyond the secondary level and to dependent children who are ineligible for benefits under both chapter 118 of the General Laws and the separate program created by section 210 of this act and parents or other caretakers of dependent children who are ineligible under said chapter 118 and under said separate program; provided further, that no ex-offender, person over age 45 without a prior work history, or person in a residential treatment facility shall be eligible for benefits under this program unless said person otherwise meets the eligibility criteria described herein and defined by regulations of the department; provided further, that any person incarcerated in a correctional institution shall not be eligible for benefits under said program; provided further, that no funds shall be expended from this item for the payment of expenses associated with any medical review team, other disability screening process or costs associated with verifying disability for this program; provided further, that the department shall promulgate emergency regulations pursuant to chapter 30A of the General Laws to implement the changes to this program required by this act promptly and within the appropriation; provided further, that in initially implementing the program for this fiscal year, the department shall include all eligibility categories permitted herein at the payment standard in effect for the former general relief program in fiscal year 1991; provided further, that in promulgating, amending, or rescinding its regulations with respect to eligibility or benefits, including the payment standard, medical benefits, and any other benefits under this program, the department shall take into account the amounts available to it for expenditure by this item so as not to exceed the amount appropriated herein; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary or of this item to the contrary, before implementing any eligibility or benefit changes or both to the program, the commissioner shall file with the house and senate committees on ways and means and with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate a determination by the secretary of health and human services that available appropriations for said program will be insufficient to meet projected expenses and a report setting forth such proposed changes; provided further, that said report shall contain detailed information concerning the current and proposed operation of the program, including categories of eligibility, number of eligible persons in each category, demographic information regarding said persons, services rendered to said persons, direct service costs, administrative costs, and an explanation of need for proposed changes in eligibility requirements or benefit levels or both; provided further, that the department is authorized to promulgate emergency regulations pursuant to chapter 30A of the General Laws to implement these eligibility or benefit changes or both; provided further, that nothing herein shall be construed as creating any right accruing to recipients of the former general relief program; provided further, that the secretary of health and human services shall report monthly to the house and senate committees on ways and means for the preceding month on the number of persons applying for benefits under this program, by category, age, and disability, if any, and the number of persons receiving and denied benefits under this program by category, age and disability, if any; provided further, that reimbursements collected from the social security administration on behalf of former clients of the emergency aid to the elderly, disabled and children program, or unprocessed payments from said program that are returned to the department, not to exceed an amount of $18,000,000 shall be credited to this account and may be expended without further appropriation for the purposes of this program; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the funds made available herein shall be the only funds available for said programs, and the department shall not spend funds for said program in excess of the amount made available herein

......................................................$52,652,070

4408-2002

For a program of cash assistance to certain residents of the commonwealth pursuant to chapter 117A of the General Laws found by the department to be eligible for such aid, pursuant to regulations promulgated by said department and subject to the limitations of appropriation therefor; provided, that benefits under this item shall only be provided to residents of the commonwealth who are qualified aliens, so-called, or non-citizens otherwise permanently residing under the color of law, and whose federal supplemental security income benefits have been terminated in fiscal year 1997 or 1998 solely due to their citizenship status, pursuant to the provisions of sections 401, 402, or 403 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation act of 1996, so-called and shall not be provided to illegal or undocumented aliens; provided further, that benefits under this item shall be paid only through March 31, 1998; provided further, that any funds remaining in this item on April 1, 1998 shall be transferred to item 4408-2003 of this act; provided further, that the payment standard shall equal the payment standard in effect under the general relief program in fiscal year 1991; provided further, that a $35 rent allowance, to the extent possible within the amount of this appropriation, shall be paid to all households incurring a rent or mortgage expense and not residing in public housing or subsidized housing; provided further, that the department may provide benefits to persons age 65 or older who have applied for benefits under chapter 118A of the General Laws, to persons suffering from a medically determinable impairment or combination of impairments which is expected to last for a period as determined by department regulations and which substantially reduces or eliminates the individual's capacity to support him or herself and which have been verified by a competent authority, to certain persons caring for a disabled person, to otherwise eligible participants in the vocational rehabilitation program of the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission, to otherwise eligible students under age 21 who are regularly attending a full time grade, high school, technical or vocational school not beyond the secondary level and to dependent children who are ineligible for benefits under both chapter 118 of the General Laws and the separate program created by section 210 and parents or other caretakers of dependent children who are ineligible under said chapter 118 and under said separate program; provided further, that no ex-offender, person over age 45 without a prior work history, or person in a residential treatment facility shall be eligible for benefits under this program unless said person otherwise meets the eligibility criteria described herein and defined by regulations of the department; provided further, that any person incarcerated in a correctional institution shall not be eligible for benefits under said program; provided further, that no funds shall be expended from this item for the payment of expenses associated with any medical review team, other disability screening process or costs associated with verifying disability for this program; provided further, that the department shall promulgate emergency regulations pursuant to chapter 30A of the General Laws to implement the changes to this program required by this act promptly and within the appropriation; provided further, that in initially implementing the program for this fiscal year, the department shall include all eligibility categories permitted herein at the payment standard in effect for the former general relief program in fiscal year 1991; provided further, that in promulgating, amending, or rescinding its regulations with respect to eligibility or benefits, including the payment standard, medical benefits, and any other benefits under this program, the department shall take into account the amounts available to it for expenditure by this item so as not to exceed the amount appropriated herein; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary or of this item to the contrary, before implementing any eligibility or benefit changes or both to the program, the commissioner shall file with the house and senate committees on ways and means and with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate a determination by the secretary of health and human services that available appropriations for said program will be insufficient to meet projected expenses and a report setting forth such proposed changes; provided further, that said report shall contain detailed information concerning the current and proposed operation of the program, including categories of eligibility, number of eligible persons in each category, demographic information regarding said persons, services rendered to said persons, direct service costs, administrative costs, and an explanation of need for proposed changes in eligibility requirements or benefit levels or both; provided further, that the department is authorized to promulgate emergency regulations pursuant to chapter 30A of the General Laws to implement these eligibility or benefit changes or both; provided further, that nothing herein shall be construed as creating any right accruing to recipients of the former general relief program; provided further, that the secretary of health and human services shall report monthly to the house and senate committees on ways and means for the preceding month on the number of persons applying for benefits under this program, by category, age, and disability, if any, and the number of persons receiving and denied benefits under this program by category, age and disability, if any; provided further, that persons receiving benefits funded from this item in any month shall not be eligible for benefits funded from item 4408-1000 in the same month; provided further, that persons receiving benefits funded from this item who regain eligibility for federally funded supplemental security income benefits shall be considered ineligible for benefits funded from this item; provided further, that the department shall exert all reasonable efforts to assure that recipients of benefits under this item who subsequently regain eligibility for federally funded supplemental security income benefits are transitioned to said supplemental security income program as soon as is reasonably possible within the guidelines and procedures established for said federal program; and provided further, that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the funds made available herein shall be the only funds available for said program, and the department shall not spend funds for said program in excess of the amount made available herein

......................................................$21,186,777

4408-2003

For a reserve to pay over the period April 1 to June 30, 1998, inclusive, cash assistance benefits to certain residents of the commonwealth receiving benefits under item 4408-2002; provided, that if prior to April 1, 1998, the United States Congress has not enacted legislation restoring to certain qualified aliens or persons permanently residing under the color of law, so-called, eligibility for federal Supplemental Security Income benefits, then the funds in this item may not be expended without further appropriation; and, provided further, that if on or before April 1, 1998, the United States Congress enacts legislation restoring eligibility for federal supplemental security income benefits to some or all qualified aliens or persons permanently residing under color of law, so-called, then the funds in this item shall be expended without further appropriation to continue to pay benefits through June 30, 1998 to legal immigrants for whom eligibility for federal supplemental security benefits was not restored and who are eligible for benefits pursuant to chapter 117A of the General Laws, and to pay benefits pursuant to chapter 118A of the General Laws to such persons to whom eligibility for said federal Supplemental Security Income benefits was so restored; and provided further, that the department shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means on or before March 1, 1998 a plan for allocating said funds through the remainder of fiscal year 1998

......................................................$7,460,559

Federal Appropriation

4400-3069

For the purposes of a federally fund grant entitled, Food Stamp Cash-Out

......................................................$1,800,000