Department of Transitional Assistance

Department of Transitional Assistance.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, items 4130-3200, 4130-3700, 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 326 of this act.

4400-1000

N.B. - The Acting Governor has reduced the appropriation for this item by $150,000 to $73,550,709 — the figure $500,000 in the text has been reduced to $350,000

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 $500,000 shall be expended on a food stamp outreach program; provided further, that during fiscal year 1999 the department shall maintain two transitional assistance offices 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 1999 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; and provided further, that not more than $18,084,172 of the funds appropriated in this item may be expended if the department does not establish the criteria required by the fourth paragraph of subsection (f) of section 110 of chapter 5 of the acts of 1995 and file such criteria with the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than August 15, 1998

...............................................................$73,700,709

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

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

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, 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

...............................................................$60,644,840

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

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

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, 1999 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

...............................................................$1,362,100

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

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

4401-1000

N.B. - The Acting Governor has struck the italicized language and reduced the appropriation for this item by $2,494,343 to $24,610,384 — the figure $5,250,000 in the text has been reduced to $3,147,000

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 no funds from this item shall be expended for child 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 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 not less than $161,343 shall be expended for the continued administration and operation of the New Beginnings training program at Northern Essex community college to assist low income residents of the Lawrence community to further their education and find employment; provided further, that $300,000 shall be expended for the Parent's Fair Share program operated by Spectra Management Services Corporation, 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 department shall establish performance measures for the programs funded from the four previous provisos; provided further, that the department shall report quarterly to the house and senate committees on ways and means on the performance of said four programs; provided further, that $5,250,000 shall be expended for young parent programs; provided further, that the annualized value of the programs funded in this item shall not exceed in fiscal year 2000 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

...............................................................$27,104,727

General Fund............................................................. 90.0%

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund............................................................. 10.0%

4401-1001

N.B. - The Acting Governor had reduced the appropriation for this item by $6,000,000 to $9,000,000 — and the General Court subsequently overrode the Acting Governor's reductions.

For a reserve to fund additional services for recipients of transitional aid to families with dependent children benefits; provided, that funds from this item may be expended on former recipients for up to one year after termination of their benefits due to employment or the provisions of subsection (f) of section 110 of chapter 5 of the acts of 1995; provided further, that the department may use funds from this item to fund intensive case management efforts for said recipients that may include, but not be limited to, ongoing family support, community-based referrals, domestic violence referrals, substance abuse referrals, emergency assistance, job search assistance, technical assistance and other social service referrals; provided further, that up to $4,000,000 may be spent on community college scholarships for degree programs and for other certified post-secondary educational training programs; provided further, that up to $2,000,000 may be obligated for mentoring programs, including up to $250,000 for a mentoring program in Hampshire county; provided further, that funds from this item may be expended for employment and training courses, re-employment services, job retention services, structured subsidized employment services, adult basic education, graduate equivalency degree (GED) courses or English as a second language (ESL) courses for such recipients; provided further, that funds from this item may be spent on emergency work-related expenses for said recipients, including emergency transportation costs; provided further, that up to $5,000,000 may be expended for additional transportation services, including public transportation services; provided further, that said department may oversee a system of skills assessments at a cost of up to $2,000,000 in fiscal year 1999; provided further, that said assessments may be conducted for each recipient up to three months before the loss of eligibility for said cash assistance for recipients that do not have a high school degree or a graduate equivalency degree; provided further, that said assessments may determine reading levels, math levels, English proficiency, and work history; provided further, that said assessment may determine if recipients face other significant barriers to employment including, but not limited to, disabilities, child behavioral problems, substance abuse, domestic violence, or housing instability; provided further, that no funds shall be expended from this item for cash assistance; provided further, that nothing herein shall give rise to enforceable legal rights in any party or an enforceable entitlement to services; provided further, that nothing stated herein shall be construed as giving rise to enforceable legal rights or enforceable entitlement to any services; provided further, that said department shall provide a status report on fiscal year 1999 expenditures to date and anticipated remaining fiscal year 1999 expenditures from this item to the house and senate committees on ways and means no later than February 1, 1999; and 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, established by section 2NN of chapter 29 of the General Laws

...............................................................$15,000,000

4403-2000

N.B. - The Acting Governor has struck the italicized language in this item

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 2¾ 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, 1998; provided further, that said children's clothing allowance shall be included in the standard of need for the month of September, 1998; 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 child care 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, 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; and provided further, that notwithstanding the provision of any special or general law to the contrary, the comptroller is hereby authorized and directed to transfer any unexpected balance remaining in this item at the close of the fiscal year to the Caseload Increase Mitigation Fund, established by section 2NN of chapter 29 of the General Laws

...............................................................$338,270,223

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund............................................................. 55.0%

General Fund............................................................. 45.0%

4403-2002

N.B. - The Acting Governor has struck the italicized language in this item

For a program of supplemental transitional aid to families with dependent children pursuant to the provisions of section 210 of chapter 43 of the acts of 1997; 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 2¾ per cent below the payment standard in effect in fiscal year 1995; provided further, that the department shall notify all teenage 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, 1998; provided further, that said children's clothing allowance shall be included in the standard of need for the month of September, 1998; 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 child care 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

...............................................................$7,444,904

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 of this act, 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

N.B. - The Acting Governor has struck the italicized language in this item

For expenses of the emergency assistance program directly attributable to rent liability; provided, that no funds shall 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 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 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 1999; 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 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 section 210 of chapter 43 of the acts of 1997; provided further, that nothing 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 of said chapter 43; 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

...............................................................$12,424,757

General Fund............................................................. 81.90%

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund............................................................. 18.10%

4403-2119

N.B. - The Acting Governor has struck the italicized language and reduced the appropriation for this item by $550,000 to $5,281,906

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 $550,000 shall be expended for teenage parent housing outreach services; and provided further, that the department shall, not later than August 27, 1998, submit to the house and senate committees on ways and means the independent evaluation of all programs for teenage parents and their children administered by the departments of transitional assistance and social services mandated by item 4403-2119 of section 2 of chapter 43 of the acts of 1997 for which the general court appropriated $125,000

...............................................................$5,831,906

4403-2120

N.B. - The Acting Governor had struck the italicized language and reduced the appropriation for this item by $104,148 to $38,090,880 — and the General Court subsequently overrode the Acting Governor's actions.

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 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, including not less than $75,000 for Just a Start Corporation; 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 Hyannis Safe Harbor shelter, so-called; provided further, that of the amount authorized for said contracted family shelters, not less than $310,000 shall be expended for the operation of the emergency family shelter operated by Emmaus Inc. of Haverhill; 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 not less 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 1998 be made available in fiscal year 1999; 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 1999; provided further, that an otherwise eligible household shall be authorized for temporary emergency shelter even if that household has been authorized to receive a rental arrearage payment within the past 12 months; provided further, that an eligible household shall be sheltered within 20 miles of their home community, unless such household requests otherwise; provided further, that if no such shelter placement is available within 20 miles because of lack of vacancies, the household size and/or composition of such a homeless family, or the concerns of the department regarding the performance and administration of a particular shelter, said household shall be placed in the closest possible appropriate shelter beyond said 20 miles; provided further, that said household shall be transferred to an appropriate shelter within 20 miles of their community at the earliest possible date, unless the household requests otherwise; provided further, that placements made beyond the 20 mile limit shall be reported on a quarterly basis to the secretary of administration and finance, the joint committee on human services and elderly affairs, and the house and senate committees on ways and means; 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 notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law 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 representative 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 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 section 210 of chapter 43 of the acts of 1997; 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 210 of said chapter 43; 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

...............................................................$38,195,028

General Fund............................................................. 82.44%

Transitional Aid to Needy Families Fund............................................................. 17.56%

4404-1000

For a program of nutritional assistance in fiscal year 1999 to residents of the commonwealth who are qualified aliens within the meaning of section 431 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, so-called, and non-citizens otherwise permanently residing under color of law in the United States; provided, that such resident shall be eligible for such benefits only if such resident (1) is ineligible for federal food stamp benefits pursuant to the provisions of sections 401, 402 or 403 of such Act, (2) would be eligible for federally funded food stamps, but for his citizenship status, and (3) has resided in the commonwealth for at least 60 days; provided further, that priority in the distribution of such benefits shall be given to persons who were receiving federally funded food stamps in fiscal year 1997 but were rendered ineligible for such benefits by operation of said sections 401, 402 or 403; provided further, that the benefit levels established for such program shall, to the extent feasible, replicate the equivalent levels in effect for the federal food stamp program as of June 30, 1997, but shall be reduced by a consistent percentage across all benefit levels to the extent necessary not to exceed the amounts appropriated herein; provided further, that such benefits may be distributed by electronic benefit transfer to the extent such distribution does not jeopardize otherwise available federal funding or impede the effective distribution of such benefits; 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 said department consistent with this item; and provided further, that nothing stated herein shall be construed as giving rise to enforceable legal rights or an enforceable entitlement to any services other than to the extent that such rights or entitlements exist pursuant to the regulations promulgated by said department consistent with this item

...............................................................$12,800,000

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 said department shall submit a report on the state administration of the state supplement to the supplemental security income program in accordance with section 389 of this act

...............................................................$193,849,848

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 $1,036,803 shall be expended for the health care for the homeless programs in Boston, Worcester and Springfield, including not less than $591,512 for the Boston health care for the homeless program; provided further, that not less than $50,820 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 $246,750 shall be expended for Our Fathers House in Fitchburg; provided further, that not less than $2,207,713 shall be expended for the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance; provided further, that not less than $692,996 shall be expended for the Middlesex Shelter in Lowell; provided further, that not less than $88,200 shall be expended for the Boston Rescue Mission; provided further, that not less than $285,588 shall be expended for the Market Ministries shelter in New Bedford; provided further, that not less than $12,573,062 shall be expended for a contract with the Pine Street Inn located in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $1,240,616 shall be expended for a contract with St. Francis House 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 $5,878,498 shall be expended for the PIP shelter in Worcester, the Daybreak Shelter in Lawrence, the Long Island Shelter in Boston, and the Long Island Annex in Boston; provided further, that not less than $259,875 shall be expended for the Friends of the Homeless shelter in Springfield; provided further, that $528,734 shall be expended for the Cambridge Salvation Army; provided further, that not less than $196,350 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, $173,250 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 $655,719 shall be expended for the Quincy Interfaith Sheltering Coalition; provided further, that not less than $42,000 shall be expended for the Samaritan Inn homeless shelter in Westfield; provided further, that not less than $226,615 shall be expended for a shelter operated by Emmaus, Inc. of Haverhill; provided further, that not less than $121,800 shall be expended for the Marlborough Shelter program, so-called; provided further, that $147,000 shall be expended for the Meadows program, so-called; provided further, that $288,750 shall be expended for the Turning Point program, so-called; provided further, that not less than $196,916 shall be expended for a contract with the Berkshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross; 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 not less than $204,616 shall be expended for a contract with the Somerville Homeless Coalition; provided further, that not less than $491,923 shall be expended for a contract with the Housing Assistance Corporation in Hyannis; provided further, that not less than $138,620 shall be expended for the Project Place day services program in the city of Boston; provided further, that not less than $42,000 shall be expended for a contract with the Hyannis Salvation Army; provided further, that not less than $60,000 shall be expended for a contract with the St. Francis Samaritan house in Taunton; provided further, that not less than $66,095 shall be expended for a contract with Mainspring House in Brockton; provided further, that an additional $138,000 shall be expended for Open Pantry Community Services, Inc. in Springfield; and provided further, that at least as many shelter spaces as were provided for homeless families and individuals during fiscal year 1998 shall be made available in fiscal year 1999

...............................................................$31,236,143

4408-1000

N.B. - The Acting Governor has the italicized struck language in this item

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 chapter 43 of the acts of 1997 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, 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 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 $12,500,000 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

...............................................................$54,654,626