PRINTER'S NO. 235
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
277
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY PICKETT, BAKER, V. BROWN, BULLOCK, CAUSER, DEAN,
DONATUCCI, DRISCOLL, FREEMAN, McNEILL, ROZZI, SCHWEYER, WARD
AND WHEELAND, JANUARY 31, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JANUARY 31, 2017
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 expenses; and abrogating 55
Pa. Code § 283.21.
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) 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 to
death.
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(4) Residents of nursing homes who received Supplemental
Security Income or nursing home care payments prior to and
continuously since January 1, 1973.
(b) 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) 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) 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 this act.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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