House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

Posted:	March 4, 2015 01:53 PM
From:	Representative Tina Pickett
To:	All House members
Subject:	Burial Assistance for Individuals with Low Incomes

In the near future I plan to introduce legislation to increase the amount the Department of Human Services provides for burial assistance to certain eligible individuals. This legislation also increases the amount allowed to be paid by third parties and provides for further increases for 5 years. Currently, individuals who have received SSI benefits, individuals who were receiving cash assistance benefits at the time of death or individuals found eligible for cash assistance benefits at the time of death and residents of nursing homes who received SSI benefits or nursing home care payments, are eligible for burial assistance in the amount of $750. This burial assistance payment may also be supplemented by an amount of $750 by a third party. Payment is provided directly to funeral directors for either cremation or burial services. My legislation seeks to increase both of these amounts to $900, with an increase of $50 annually for 5 years. The cost of a funeral or cremation services can be costly to individuals with low-incomes and their families. These burial assistance amounts were last increased in FY 2000-2001. It is imperative that with ever-increasing costs we provide an increase to this modest benefit. Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation.
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Introduced as HB1054