PRINTER'S NO. 923
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
936
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY PICKETT, BURGOS, CIRESI, FREEMAN, GUENST, JAMES,
SAMUELSON AND FLEMING, APRIL 17, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 17, 2023
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance,
providing for payments for burial services; and abrogating a
regulation.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Article IV of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31,
No.21), known as the Human Services Code, is amended by adding a
subarticle to read:
(n) Burial Services Allowance
Section 494. Payments for Burial Services.
(a) Payments.--The department shall pay a burial or
cremation allowance in the amount of $900 for the following:
(1) Individuals who received Supplemental Security
Income.
(2) Individuals who received cash benefits from the
department prior to death.
(3) Individuals found eligible for cash assistance prior
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to death.
(4) Residents of nursing homes who received Supplemental
Security Income or nursing home care payments prior to and
continuously since January 1, 1973.
(b) Supplement.--This amount may be supplemented by the
decedent's estate or another party in an amount not to exceed
$900, in accordance with the eligibility requirements of 55 Pa.
Code § 283.3 (relating to requirements for payment). Individuals
who die but did not apply for assistance shall be reviewed for
eligibility to qualify for a grant allowance. If eligible, an
allowance shall be paid by the department.
(c) Expenses.--Separate payments totaling an amount not to
exceed the amounts authorized in subsections (a) and (b) may be
made for funeral, cemetery and crematorium expenses.
(d) Increase.--The amounts specified in subsections (a) and
(b) shall increase by $50 each year for five consecutive years
after the effective date of this section.
Section 2. The provisions of 55 Pa. Code § 283.21 are
abrogated. All other provisions of 55 Pa. Code are abrogated
insofar as they are inconsistent with the addition of Subarticle
(n) of Article IV of the act.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20230HB0936PN0923 - 2 -
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