Chapter 319s - Financial Assistance

Sec. 17b-76. (Formerly Sec. 17-82a). Commissioner to furnish forms and maintain records and accounts. The Commissioner of Social Services shall furnish forms for the use of applicants under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program and supplemental nutrition assistance program, local officials and himself, and shall establish and maintain a system of records and accounts which shall show the number of applications and the disposition of the same, the record of payments made to each recipient of aid and such other information as may be necessary for the proper operation and administration of said sections and as the rules and regulations of the United States government require if the United States government makes contributory allotments of federal funds to the state of Connecticut for aid extended under the provisions of said programs.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 15; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 26, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 9.)

History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced social services commissioner with commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-82a transferred to Sec. 17b-76 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-77. (Formerly Sec. 17-82b). Application for aid. Notice of liability for repayment. (a) Application for aid under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program, state-administered general assistance program and supplemental nutrition assistance program shall be made to the Commissioner of Social Services. The name and address of each such applicant shall be recorded with the commissioner. Such application, in the case of temporary family assistance, shall be made by the supervising relative, his authorized representative, or, in the case of an individual who is incapacitated, someone acting responsibly for him and shall contain the name and the exact residence of such applicant, the name, place and date of birth of each dependent child, the Social Security number of the supervising relative and of each dependent child, and such other information as is required by the commissioner. If such supervising relative or any such child does not have a Social Security number, the commissioner shall assist in obtaining a Social Security number for each such person seeking public assistance and during the time required to obtain such Social Security numbers the supervising relative and children shall not be precluded from eligibility under this section. By such application, the applicant shall assign to the commissioner the right of support, present, past and future, due all persons seeking assistance and shall assist the commissioner in pursuing support obligations due from the noncustodial parent. On and after October 1, 2008, such assignment under the temporary family assistance program shall apply only to such support rights as accrue during the period of assistance, not to exceed the total amount of assistance provided to the family under said program. Notice of such assignment shall be conspicuously placed on said application and shall be explained to the applicant at the time of application. All information required to be provided to the commissioner as a condition of such eligibility under federal law shall be so provided by the applicant, provided, no person shall be determined to be ineligible if the applicant has good cause for the refusal to provide information concerning the noncustodial parent or if the provision of such information would be against the best interests of the dependent child or children, or any of them. The Commissioner of Social Services shall adopt by regulation, in accordance with chapter 54, standards as to good cause and best interests of the child. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the commissioner as to the determination of good cause or the best interests of such child or children may request a fair hearing in accordance with the provisions of sections 17b-60 and 17b-61. All statements made by the applicant concerning income, resources and any other matters pertaining to eligibility shall be certified to by the applicant as true and correct under penalty of false statement, and for any such certified statement which is untrue or incorrect such applicant shall be subject to the penalties provided for false statement under section 17b-97.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall notify each applicant for aid under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program and state-administered general assistance program of the provisions of sections 17b-93 to 17b-97, inclusive, in general terms, at the time of application for such aid. The commissioner shall notify each person who may be liable for repayment of such aid, if known, of the provisions of sections 17b-93 to 17b-97, inclusive, in general terms, not later than thirty days after the applicant is determined to be eligible for such aid or, if not known at the time the applicant is determined to be eligible for such aid, the department shall give such notice not later than thirty days after the date on which the commissioner identifies such person as one who may be liable for repayment of such aid. The notice shall be (1) written in plain language, (2) in an easily readable and understandable format, and (3) whenever possible, in the first language of the applicant or person who may be liable for repayment of such aid.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 16; 1971, P.A. 871, S. 93; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 76-334, S. 3, 12; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 80-55; P.A. 87-171, S. 1; 87-589, S. 25, 87; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 27, 165; P.A. 07-247, S. 1; P.A. 09-9, S. 10; P.A. 10-183, S. 1; P.A. 11-25, S. 5; 11-122, S. 1.)

History: 1971 act replaced perjury penalty with false statement penalty and deleted reference to Sec. 53-143; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 76-334 required application to contain applicable social security numbers, added provisions re assistance until numbers can be obtained, clarified responsibilities of commissioner and supervising relative and added provisions setting forth circumstances under which required information need not be given, giving commissioner power to make regulations and granting persons aggrieved by decision a fair hearing; P.A. 77-614 replaced social services commissioner with commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-55 required notice of assignment to be conspicuous part of application and required its explanation to supervising relative; P.A. 87-171 removed language providing for application to the local officer of the town the applicant resides in, added provision for application by an authorized representative of the supervising relative and in the case of an incapacitated individual, someone acting responsibly for him and made technical changes; P.A. 87-589 replaced reference to Sec. 4-168(b) with reference to chapter 54; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-82b transferred to Sec. 17b-77 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced a reference to aid to dependent children with temporary family assistance and made a technical change, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 07-247 replaced “absent parent” with “noncustodial parent” and provided that on and after October 1, 2008, assignment under temporary family assistance program shall apply only to support rights that accrue during period of assistance, not to exceed the total amount of assistance provided to family under the program, effective October 1, 2008; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 10-183 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added reference to state-administered general assistance program therein, and added Subsec. (b) re notice of liability for repayment of aid, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-25 made a technical change in Subsec. (a); P.A. 11-122 amended Subsec. (b) by rewording requirement of notice to persons known at the time of application to be liable for repayment of aid and adding provision requiring notice to persons not known at the time of application to be liable for repayment of aid within 30 days of date such person is identified, effective July 1, 2011.

Annotations to former section 17-82b:

Cited. 196 C. 403; 200 C. 656.

Cited. 11 CA 548; 31 CA 114.

Annotation to present section:

Notice provisions in section are directory; failure to follow them precisely does not invalidate the assignment. 37 CA 105.

Sec. 17b-78. Transferred to Chapter 319t, Sec. 17b-198.

Sec. 17b-79. (Formerly Sec. 17-82c). Eligibility of person having interest in real property. Restrictions on state recovery. (a) As used in this section, “cash assistance” means payments made to a beneficiary of the state supplement program, temporary family assistance program or the state-administered general assistance program. No person shall be deemed ineligible to receive an award under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program, state-administered general assistance program or supplemental nutrition assistance program for himself or herself or for any person for whose support he or she is liable by reason of having an interest in real property, maintained as his or her home, provided the equity in such property does not exceed the limits established by the commissioner. The commissioner may place a lien against any property to secure the claim of the state for all amounts which it has paid or may thereafter pay to such person or in such person's behalf (1) for cash assistance or medical assistance, provided no such lien shall be placed on real property unless for amounts required to be recovered under federal law, or (2) to or on behalf of any person for whose support he or she is liable, except for property maintained as a home in aid to families of dependent children cases, in which case such lien shall secure the state only for that portion of the assistance grant awarded for amortization of a mortgage or other encumbrance beginning with the fifth month after the original grant for principal payment on any such encumbrance is made, and each succeeding month of such grant thereafter. The claim of the state shall be secured by filing a certificate in the land records of the town or towns in which any such real estate is situated, describing such real estate. Any such lien may, at any time during which the amount secured by such lien remains unpaid, be foreclosed in an action brought in a court of competent jurisdiction by the commissioner on behalf of the state. Any real estate to which title has been taken by foreclosure under this section, or which has been conveyed to the state in lieu of foreclosure, may be sold, transferred or conveyed for the state by the commissioner with the approval of the Attorney General, and the commissioner may, in the name of the state, execute deeds for such purpose. Such lien shall be released by the commissioner upon payment of the amount secured by such lien, or an amount equal to the value of the beneficiary's interest in such property if the value of such interest is less than the amount secured by such lien, at the commissioner's discretion, and with the advice and consent of the Attorney General, upon a compromise of the amount due to the state. At the discretion of the commissioner, the beneficiary, or, in the case of a husband and wife living together, the survivor of them, as long as he or she lives, or a dependent child or children, may be permitted to occupy such real property.

(b) On and after July 1, 2021, the state shall not recover cash assistance or medical assistance from a lien filed on any real property, unless the state is required to recover such assistance under federal law. Any certificate or lien filed under this section by or on behalf of the state on such real property prior to July 1, 2021, shall be deemed released by the state if the recovery of such assistance is not required under federal law.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 18; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 29, 165; P.A. 06-196, S. 208; P.A. 09-9, S. 11; P.A. 21-3, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 455.)

History: Sec. 17-82c transferred to Sec. 17b-79 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes, effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 21-3 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), amended the same to define cash assistance and add Subdiv. (1) re lien restrictions for recovery of cash or medical assistance, inserted Subsec. (b) re restrictions on recovery by lien and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2021; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to replace “required by” with “for amounts required to be recovered under”, effective July 1, 2021.

Annotations to former section 17-82c:

Provision for the recording of a lien re an AFDC award is a limit on the security obtainable by the state to ensure repayment of benefits and not a limit on the obligation of the beneficiary to repay. 168 C. 112. Cited. 185 C. 180. Filing of state's liens pursuant to statute did not create liens that were, in advance of foreclosure proceedings, choate as a matter of federal law. 207 C. 743.

Cited. 34 CS 265.

Sec. 17b-80. (Formerly Sec. 17-82d). Investigations. Grant of aid. Income disregard for students. Asset limits. (a) The commissioner, upon receipt of an application for aid, shall promptly and with due diligence make an investigation, such investigation to be completed within forty-five days after receipt of the application or within sixty days after receipt of the application in the case of an application in which a determination of disability must be made. If an application for an award is not acted on within forty-five days after the filing of an application, or within sixty days in the case of an application in which a determination of disability must be made, the applicant may apply to the commissioner for a hearing in accordance with sections 17b-60 and 17b-61. The commissioner shall grant aid only if he finds the applicant eligible therefor, in which case he shall grant aid in such amount, determined in accordance with levels of payments established by the commissioner, as is needed in order to enable the applicant to support himself, or, in the case of temporary family assistance, to enable the relative to support such dependent child or children and himself, in health and decency, including the costs of such medical care as he deems necessary and reasonable, not in excess of the amounts set forth in the various fee schedules promulgated by the Commissioner of Social Services for medical, dental and allied services and supplies or the charges made for comparable services and supplies to the general public, whichever is less, and the cost of necessary hospitalization as is provided in section 17b-239, over and above hospital insurance or other such benefits, including workers' compensation and claims for negligent or wilful injury. The commissioner, subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, shall in determining need, take into consideration any available income and resources of the individual claiming assistance. The commissioner shall make periodic investigations to determine eligibility and may, at any time, modify, suspend or discontinue an award previously made when such action is necessary to carry out the provisions of the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program, state-administered general assistance program or supplemental nutrition assistance program. The parent or parents of any child for whom aid is received under the temporary family assistance program and any beneficiary receiving assistance under the state supplement program shall be conclusively presumed to have accepted the provisions of sections 17b-93, and 17b-95.

(b) The commissioner shall disregard any earned income of a child who is a student in determining the eligibility, standard of need and amount of assistance of a family in the TFA program.

(c) No person shall be eligible for the state supplement program whose assets as defined by the commissioner exceed sixteen hundred dollars or, if living with a spouse, whose combined assets exceed twenty-four hundred dollars.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 19; June, 1971, S.A. 1, S. 18; P.A. 77-105; 77-614, S. 19, 610; P.A. 79-376, S. 19; P.A. 85-66, S. 2; 85-359; P.A. 86-290, S. 1, 10; 86-315, S. 4, 5; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 30, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 12; P.A. 22-118, S. 449.)

History: 1971 act substituted “levels of payment” for “standards”; P.A. 77-105 made 60-day limit previously in effect applicable only to decisions involving determination of disability and set 45-day limit for all other decisions; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 79-376 substituted “workers' compensation” for “workmen's compensation”; P.A. 85-66 amended section to refer to fee schedules promulgated by income maintenance commissioner rather than by secretary of the office of policy and management; P.A. 85-359 made the existing Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) concerning an income disregard for full-time students; P.A. 86-290 added new Subsecs. (c) and (d) which placed asset limits on persons eligible for the state supplement program and families eligible for the aid to families with dependent children program; P.A. 86-315 required the commissioner to disregard for six months per calendar year a child's earned income; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-82d transferred to Sec. 17b-80 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 amended Subsec. (c) by requiring the commissioner to disregard any earned income of a child who is a student when determining eligibility standard of need and amount of assistance for a family in the TFA program and by deleting outdated AFDC provision requiring the commissioner to disregard any earned income of a child who is a full-time student for six months per calendar year, deleted Subsec. (d) re outdated aid to families with dependent children program provision, replaced reference to aid to dependent children with temporary family assistance and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 22-118 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting a reference to section 17b-94, effective July 1, 2022.

Annotations to former section 17-82d:

Since disclaimer is invalid, state may reassess eligibility for assistance under Social Security Act, Title XIX, and state guidelines. 179 C. 463. Cited. 214 C. 256; 225 C. 314.

Cited. 20 CA 470.

Child care allowable expense in determining eligibility. 30 CS 587. Plaintiff, denied a claim for medical benefits, disposed of her resources and renewed her claim on basis she now had no available resources; commissioner upheld in denying second claim under department regulations. 31 CS 544. This is a supplementary regulation promulgated within the legitimate sphere of state administration which does not conflict with the Social Security Act and thus does not violate the supremacy clause. 32 CS 514, 519. Cited. Id., 597. Commissioner must consider income and resources of each applicant in determining amount of assistance to be awarded. 34 CS 525. Cited. 40 CS 394.

Only question before fair hearing officer on appeal of an award as inadequate is whether award complied with standard established by commissioner; appellant cannot challenge commissioner's compliance with his duties. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 291. Cited. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 688.

Annotations to present section:

Cited. 237 C. 550; 240 C. 141.

Subsec. (c):

Principal of Medicaid qualifying trust determined not to be available to grantor and therefore not included in calculation of eligibility for Medicaid benefits. 248 C. 708.

Sec. 17b-81. (Formerly Sec. 17-82e). Investigations of legally liable relatives by commissioner. (a) The commissioner shall investigate the financial condition of each legally liable relative, as defined in section 4a-12, and shall make a determination as to the financial ability of each such relative in accordance with the uniform contribution scale established by the Commissioner of Administrative Services in accordance with said section 4a-12, and shall notify in writing each such relative of the amount each is found able to contribute toward such support, and each such relative shall be liable in said amount from the date of such notice, retroactive to the date of granting of assistance, unless and until such support responsibility shall be otherwise fixed by a court of competent jurisdiction. When any finding or written agreement to support, or any modification thereof is made with the commissioner by the liable relative and is filed with the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district in which the applicant, recipient, beneficiary or liable relative resides, or the assistant clerk of the Family Support Magistrate Division in the judicial district where the applicant resides, such agreement shall have the same force and effect as an order of support by said court, and shall be enforceable in the same manner as orders of support issued by said court or a family support magistrate, provided any court of competent jurisdiction, or a family support magistrate, called upon to enforce such agreement, including a finding consented to by the relative, after notice to all parties, shall fully review such determination as to financial ability and shall insure that such determination is reasonable in light of the relative's ability to pay and may modify such finding prospectively, retroactively or both. Such determination shall not be affected by appeal but shall continue in effect, until the appeal is denied, or unless changed by order of the court or family support magistrate. The commissioner shall periodically reinvestigate the financial condition of such relatives and shall give written notice of any change in the determination of ability to contribute.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall continue to independently determine parental support obligations under subsection (b) of section 17b-179, notwithstanding the uniform contribution scale developed pursuant to section 4a-12. The commissioner shall promulgate support guidelines for such cases.

(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall determine a legally liable relative contribution for the spouse of an institutionalized recipient of Medicaid only when such spouse has income in excess of (1) the minimum monthly needs allowance or (2) the monthly needs allowance for such spouse as determined by the commissioner, through a fair hearing or court proceeding. The amount of such contribution shall not cause the income of such spouse to fall below said minimum monthly needs allowance or said monthly needs allowance for such spouse as determined by the commissioner, through a fair hearing or court proceeding. The spouse of an institutionalized individual, for whom a legally liable relative contribution is determined, may request a fair hearing regarding the amount of the contribution.

(1969, P.A. 541; 730, S. 20; 1971, P.A. 786; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 26; P.A. 73-616, S. 12; P.A. 74-183, S. 212, 291; P.A. 76-334, S. 4, 12; 76-436, S. 182, 681; P.A. 77-452, S. 8, 72; 77-594, S. 2, 7; P.A. 81-62; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-34, S. 3, 8; P.A. 84-159, S. 2; P.A. 86-359, S. 26, 44; P.A. 87-421, S. 3, 13; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-166.)

History: 1971 act clarified circumstances under which complaint for nonsupport to be brought; 1972 act replaced reference to those under 21 with reference to those under 18 reflecting change in age of majority; P.A. 73-616 deleted reference to assistance under part II of chapter; P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court and “circuit” with court of common pleas and “county or judicial district”; P.A. 76-334 made relatives' liability retroactive to date assistance was granted, added provisions re agreements to support made between commissioner and liable relative and deleted provisions re fair hearing and criminal complaint; P.A. 76-436 and P.A. 77-452 replaced court of common pleas with superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-594 clarified geographical area as that in which applicant or beneficiary lives as well as that in which liable relative lives; P.A. 81-62 extended parental financial responsibility to children less than 21 years of age if the child in question is in full-time attendance at school; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-34 changed the reference to the age of applicants and recipients who are students from under 21 to under 19 and added the provision that the student reasonably be expected to complete the program before he attains age 19; P.A. 84-159 removed the requirement for children to contribute to the support of their parents who are less than 65 years of age; P.A. 86-359 changed “serving the geographical area” to “for the judicial district”, added “or the assistant clerk of the family support magistrate division in the judicial district where the applicant resides” and added “or a family support magistrate”; P.A. 87-421 made the existing section Subsec. (a), substituted language on legally liable relative and the uniform contribution scale for references to spouse and parents and “reasonable” contribution established by the commissioner of income maintenance, and added Subsec. (b); P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-82e transferred to Sec. 17b-81 in 1995; P.A. 95-166 added Subsec. (c) re determination of contribution amount levied on spouse of institutionalized Medicaid recipient.

Annotations to former section 17-82e:

Section neither requires nor authorizes commissioner to limit his consideration of dependents to strictly legal obligations in permitting exemptions from gross income. 170 C. 258. Cited. 185 C. 180; 206 C. 636; 207 C. 743.

Cited. 33 CS 769; 34 CS 281; Id., 284. Statute is procedural in nature and not subject to prohibition against retrospective application. 35 CS 603. Judgment does not violate rights to equal protection since statute provides for enforcement of retrospective liability for support against any parent and right exists to obtain judgment for full amount against one of several debtors jointly liable. Id., 628. Cited. 37 CS 745; Id., 891; 38 CS 503.

Cited. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 697.

Sec. 17b-82. “Rated housing facility” defined. As used in sections 17b-83 and 17b-601, “rated housing facility” means (1) a boarding facility or home, except for a community companion home, licensed by the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the Department of Children and Families; or (2) the facility established by New Horizons, Inc. pursuant to section 19a-507, provided any such home or facility has been approved by the Department of Social Services to receive state supplement payments for residents found eligible for such payments in accordance with section 17b-600.

(P.A. 14-164, S. 1; P.A. 19-117, S. 299.)

History: P.A. 14-164 effective June 11, 2014; P.A. 19-117 redefined “rated housing facility”, effective January 1, 2020.

Sec. 17b-83. (Formerly Sec. 17-82g). Form of aid. Direct payment for certain services. Payment of clean claims. The aid granted under the state supplement program or the temporary family assistance program shall be in the form of money payments and shall be made by the commissioner within available Department of Social Services appropriations, directly to a licensed residential care home, as defined in section 19a-490, a rated housing facility, as defined in section 17b-82, the applicant or other person entitled to receive the same at such regular intervals as the Commissioner of Social Services determines, provided the payments of the costs of medical care and such other charges in connection with the care and maintenance of a beneficiary as the commissioner deems necessary and reasonable may be made to the licensed residential care home or rated housing facility, applicant or to those persons furnishing such services by the commissioner. Ninety per cent of clean claims for payments to persons furnishing such services shall be made not later than thirty days from receipt of the request for payment and ninety-nine per cent shall be made within ninety days of such receipt. For the purposes of this section “clean claim” means a claim which can be processed without obtaining additional substantiation from the person furnishing such services or other person entitled to receive payment. A claim submitted by any such person who is under investigation for fraud or abuse shall not be considered a clean claim.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 10; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 79-565, S. 1; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 31, 165; P.A. 14-164, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner and department with commissioner and department of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced social services commissioner and department with commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-565 added provisions re payment of “clean claims” and defined the term; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-82g transferred to Sec. 17b-83 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 14-164 added provisions re direct payments to licensed residential care home or rated housing facility and made a technical change, effective June 11, 2014.

Annotation to former section 17-82g:

Cited. 214 C. 256.

Sec. 17b-84. (Formerly Sec. 17-82i). Funeral and burial allowance for state supplement or temporary family assistance program beneficiaries. Reductions. Disclosure of information regarding liquid assets. (a) Upon the death of any beneficiary under the state supplement or the temporary family assistance program, the Commissioner of Social Services shall order the payment of a sum not to exceed one thousand three hundred fifty dollars as an allowance toward the funeral and burial expenses of such decedent. The payment for funeral and burial expenses shall be reduced by (1) the amount in any revocable or irrevocable funeral fund, (2) any prepaid funeral contract, (3) the face value of any life insurance policy owned by the decedent that names a funeral home, cemetery or crematory as a beneficiary, (4) the net value of all liquid assets in the decedent's estate, and (5) contributions in excess of three thousand four hundred dollars toward such funeral and burial expenses from all other sources, including friends, relatives and all other persons, organizations, agencies, veterans' programs and other benefit programs. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 17b-90, whenever payment for funeral, burial or cremation expenses is reduced due to liquid assets in the decedent's estate, the commissioner may disclose information concerning such liquid assets to the funeral director, cemetery or crematory providing funeral, burial or cremation services for the decedent.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 21; 1972, P.A. 154, S. 1; P.A. 77-604, S. 9, 84; P.A. 78-337, S. 3, 11; P.A. 86-290, S. 2, 10; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 32, 165; P.A. 06-188, S. 17; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 385; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 44; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 185; P.A. 19-117, S. 313.)

History: 1972 act replaced $150 and $50 limits on funeral and burial expenses, respectively, with limit under Sec. 17-82q and clarified statements re persons to be paid; P.A. 77-604 corrected faulty section reference; P.A. 78-337 restated provisions in simpler form; P.A. 86-290 added a reference to the state supplement or the aid to families with dependent children program, required the commissioner to order an allowance toward funeral and burial expenses and amended the method of establishing the sum of allowance due; Sec. 17-82i transferred to Sec. 17b-84 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced a reference to aid to families with dependent children with temporary family assistance, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 06-188 made technical changes and increased funeral and burial allowance from $1,200 to $1,800, effective July 1, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 reduced state funeral and burial allowance from $1,800 to $1,400, effective July 1, 2015; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 designated existing provisions re allowance toward funeral and burial expenses as Subsec. (a) and amended same to reduce maximum payment from $1,400 to $1,200, replace references to deceased and recipient with references to decedent, designate provisions re reduction of payments as Subdivs. (1) to (3), delete provision re contributions over and above sum established not to diminish state's obligation, add Subdiv. (4) re liquid assets in decedent's estate and add Subdiv. (5) re contributions from other sources, and added Subsec. (b) re adoption of regulations, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to add “that names a funeral home, cemetery or crematory as a beneficiary”, and added provision re commissioner to disclose information concerning liquid assets whenever payment is reduced due to such liquid assets, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing funeral and burial benefit from $1,200 to $1,350, effective July 1, 2019.

Annotation to former section 17-82i:

Cited. 40 CS 394.

Sec. 17b-85. (Formerly Sec. 17-82j). Notice by beneficiary of receipt of property, transfer or encumbrance of property or change in information previously furnished. Exception for participants in supplemental assistance nutrition program. If any person receiving an award for the care of any dependent child or children, or any person legally liable for the support of such child or children, or any other person being supported wholly or in part under the provisions of the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program or state-administered general assistance program or any beneficiary under such provisions or any legally liable relative of such beneficiary, receives property, wages, income or resources of any kind, such person or beneficiary, within ten days after obtaining knowledge of or receiving such property, wages, income or resources, shall notify the commissioner thereof, orally or in writing, unless good cause is established for failure to provide such notice, as determined by the commissioner. No such person or beneficiary shall sell, assign, transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of any property without the consent of the commissioner. The provisions of section 17b-137 shall be applicable with respect to any person applying for or receiving an award under such provisions. Except for the supplemental nutrition assistance program, any change in the information which has been furnished on an application form or a redetermination of eligibility form shall also be reported to the commissioner, orally or in writing, within ten days of the occurrence of such change, unless good cause is established for failure to provide such notice, as determined by the commissioner. For participants in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, the commissioner shall establish reporting requirements regarding such changes in information in accordance with applicable federal law, as may be amended from time to time.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 24; P.A. 73-107; P.A. 80-65; P.A. 87-171, S. 2; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 33, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 13; P.A. 11-44, S. 108.)

History: P.A. 73-107 required report of information change within 15 days; P.A. 80-65 referred to provisions of entire chapter rather than to parts II and III; P.A. 87-171 changed the time limit from 15 to 10 days and added provisions allowing oral notice and “good cause” exception; Sec. 17-82j transferred to Sec. 17b-85 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 11-44 added provision re exception for supplemental nutrition assistance program, added provision requiring commissioner to establish reporting requirements for supplemental nutrition assistance program participants, and made technical and conforming changes, effective June 13, 2011.

Annotations to former section 17-82j:

Cited. 179 C. 463. Court reaffirmed conclusion that statute is an independent bar to disclaimers. 211 C. 323.

Cited. 40 CS 394.

Annotation to present section:

Discussed. 247 C. 686.

Sec. 17b-86. (Formerly Sec. 17-82k). Aid inalienable. Aid provided under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program, state-administered general assistance program or supplemental nutrition assistance program shall be inalienable by assignment, sale, attachment, execution or otherwise, and shall be subject to the provisions of any amending or repealing act that may be passed, and no beneficiary or other person shall have any vested right to any such aid.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 26; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 34, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 14.)

History: Sec. 17-82k transferred to Sec. 17b-86 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

Annotations to former section 17-82k:

Cited. 192 C. 460.

Cited. 21 CA 77.

Public aid funds of welfare recipient held by recipient's attorney in client funds account are not subject to attachment under section. 33 CS 85.

Sec. 17b-87. (Formerly Sec. 17-82l). Discontinuance of aid after removal from state. No award under the temporary family assistance program shall continue after the removal of the beneficiary from this state; and no award under the state supplement program shall continue for more than one year after removal of the beneficiary from this state, and occasional absences for short periods need not be deemed by the commissioner to constitute a removal.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 27; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 35, 165.)

History: Sec. 17-82l transferred to Sec. 17b-87 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997.

Annotation to former section 17-82l:

Statute construed as not to deny AFDC beneficiaries who have moved from Connecticut their entitlement to benefits accrued prior to removal. 174 C. 8.

Sec. 17b-88. (Formerly Sec. 17-82m). Overpayments. Recoupment. Administrative disqualification hearings. If a beneficiary of assistance under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, aid to families with dependent children program, temporary family assistance program, state-administered general assistance program, food stamp program or supplemental nutrition assistance program receives any award or grant over the amount to which he is entitled under the laws governing eligibility, the Department of Social Services (1) shall immediately initiate recoupment action and shall consult with the Division of Criminal Justice to determine whether to refer such overpayment, with full supporting information, to the state police, to a prosecuting authority for prosecution or to the Attorney General for civil recovery, or (2) shall take such other action as conforms to federal regulations, including, but not limited to, conducting administrative disqualification hearings for cases involving alleged fraud in the food stamp program, supplemental nutrition assistance program, the aid to families with dependent children program, the temporary family assistance program or the state-administered general assistance program.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 11; P.A. 74-140, S. 2; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 123, 486, 587, 608, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 79-146, S. 1; P.A. 85-564, S. 9, 12; P.A. 86-403, S. 36, 132; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 57, 63; P.A. 92-90; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 36, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 74-140 made discontinuance of award optional rather than mandatory when recipient convicted of offense involving overpayment and added reference to commissioner's taking other action in conformity with federal regulations; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare department with department of social services; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced central collections division of finance and control department with division of state police within the department of public safety (successor agency to state police department) and social services department with department of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-146 changed applicable overpayments from any amount over the amount awarded to amounts $500 or more over the amount awarded; P.A. 85-564 made the existing section Subsec. (a) and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re action taken on overpayments and re administrative hearing process; P.A. 86-403 made technical changes to Subsec. (a); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 changed the overpayment threshold to $2,000 and required immediate initiation of administrative recoupment; P.A. 92-90 entirely replaced prior provisions with modified procedure for recoupment of overpayments; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-82m transferred to Sec. 17b-88 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 inserted references to supplemental nutrition assistance program and made technical changes, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-88a. Recoveries or overpayments under AFDC program, account for payment of. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, and each fiscal year thereafter, with the approval of the Office of Policy and Management, the Department of Social Services may credit to a nonlapsing account in the General Fund, and expend from such nonlapsing account, the amounts necessary for payment of the federal share of recoveries or overpayments established under the aid to families with dependent children program.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 10, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 effective July 2, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section.

Sec. 17b-89. (Formerly Sec. 17-82n). Change in level of assistance payments authorized. The Commissioner of Social Services, notwithstanding any other provision of law, may selectively increase or decrease the level of certain assistance payments in any of the public assistance programs when necessary to correct an inequity or to comply with state or federal law or regulation. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the commissioner to increase or decrease the standards of assistance payments affecting all or most public assistance recipients in any category of public assistance.

(June, 1971, S.A. 1, S. 16; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 85-505, S. 19, 21; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)

History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 85-505 detailed when commissioner may increase or decrease payment levels, authorizing such increases or decreases to correct inequities and to effect compliance with state or federal laws or regulations rather than when “necessary to carry out the policy of the state” as was previously the case; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-82n transferred to Sec. 17b-89 in 1995.

Annotation to former section 17-82n:

Cited. 214 C. 256.

Sec. 17b-90. (Formerly Sec. 17-83). Disclosure of information concerning program applicants and participants. Limitations. Regulations. (a) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, necessary to enable him to carry out the programs the Department of Social Services is designated to administer pursuant to section 17b-2, including any regulations necessary for receiving grants from the federal government to this state if the absence of any such regulation would result in the loss of such grants and regulations governing the custody and use of the records, papers, files and communications concerning persons applying for or receiving assistance under said sections. When names and addresses of recipients of such assistance are required by law to be furnished to or held by any other government agency, such agency shall adopt regulations to prevent the publication of lists thereof or their use for purposes not directly connected with the administration of said programs.

(b) No person shall, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of programs of the Department of Social Services and in accordance with the regulations of the commissioner, solicit, disclose, receive or make use of, or authorize, knowingly permit, participate in or acquiesce in the use of, any list of the names of, or any information concerning, persons applying for or receiving assistance from the Department of Social Services or persons participating in a program administered by said department, directly or indirectly derived from the records, papers, files or communications of the state or its subdivisions or agencies, or acquired in the course of the performance of official duties. The Commissioner of Social Services shall disclose (1) to any authorized representative of the Labor Commissioner such information directly related to unemployment compensation, administered pursuant to chapter 567 or information necessary for implementation of sections 17b-112l, 17b-688b, 17b-688c and 17b-688h and section 122 of public act 97-2 of the June 18 special session*, (2) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services any information necessary for the implementation and operation of the basic needs supplement program, (3) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Administrative Services or the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection such information as the Commissioner of Social Services determines is directly related to and necessary for the Department of Administrative Services or the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for purposes of performing their functions of collecting social services recoveries and overpayments or amounts due as support in social services cases, investigating social services fraud or locating absent parents of public assistance recipients, (4) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Children and Families necessary information concerning a child or the immediate family of a child receiving services from the Department of Social Services, including safety net services, if (A) the Commissioner of Children and Families or the Commissioner of Social Services has determined that imminent danger to such child's health, safety or welfare exists to target the services of the family services programs administered by the Department of Children and Families, or (B) the Commissioner of Children and Families requires access to the federal Parent Locator Service established pursuant to 42 USC 653 in order to identify a parent or putative parent of a child, (5) to a town official or other contractor or authorized representative of the Labor Commissioner such information concerning an applicant for or a recipient of assistance under state-administered general assistance deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Social Services and the Labor Commissioner to carry out their respective responsibilities to serve such persons under the programs administered by the Labor Department that are designed to serve applicants for or recipients of state-administered general assistance, (6) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the purposes of the behavioral health managed care program established by section 17a-453, (7) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Early Childhood to carry out his or her respective responsibilities under the two-generational academic achievement and workforce readiness initiative established pursuant to section 17b-112l and programs that regulate child care services or youth camps, (8) to a health insurance provider, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, information concerning a child and the custodial parent of such child that is necessary to enroll such child in a health insurance plan available through such provider when the noncustodial parent of such child is under court order to provide health insurance coverage but is unable to provide such information, provided the Commissioner of Social Services determines, after providing prior notice of the disclosure to such custodial parent and an opportunity for such parent to object, that such disclosure is in the best interests of the child, (9) to any authorized representative of the Department of Correction, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, information concerning noncustodial parents that is necessary to identify inmates or parolees with IV-D support cases who may benefit from Department of Correction educational, training, skill building, work or rehabilitation programming that will significantly increase an inmate's or parolee's ability to fulfill such inmate's support obligation, (10) to any authorized representative of the Judicial Branch, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, information concerning noncustodial parents that is necessary to: (A) Identify noncustodial parents with IV-D support cases who may benefit from educational, training, skill building, work or rehabilitation programming that will significantly increase such parent's ability to fulfill such parent's support obligation, (B) assist in the administration of the Title IV-D child support program, or (C) assist in the identification of cases involving family violence, (11) to any authorized representative of the State Treasurer, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, information that is necessary to identify child support obligors who owe overdue child support prior to the Treasurer's payment of such obligors' claim for any property unclaimed or presumed abandoned under part III of chapter 32, or (12) to any authorized representative of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management any information necessary for the implementation and operation of the renters rebate program established by section 12-170d. No such representative shall disclose any information obtained pursuant to this section, except as specified in this section. Any applicant for assistance provided through said department shall be notified that, if and when such applicant receives benefits, the department will be providing law enforcement officials with the address of such applicant upon the request of any such official pursuant to section 17b-16a.

(c) In IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, in addition to the prohibitions of subsection (b) of this section, no information shall be released concerning the whereabouts of one party to another party (1) against whom a protective order, a restraining order or a standing criminal protective order with respect to the former party is in effect, or (2) if the department has reason to believe that the release of the information may result in physical or emotional harm to the former party.

(d) The Commissioner of Social Services shall provide written notice to a person applying for or receiving assistance from the Department of Social Services or a person participating in a program administered by said department that such person's address and telephone number may be provided to the Department of Children and Families pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of this section.

(e) Penalties prescribed by subsection (b) of section 17b-97 shall apply to violations of this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 2888, 2897, 2912; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 27, 28; March, 1958, P.A. 27, S. 73; 1969, P.A. 306; 1971, P.A. 642, S. 2; P.A. 73-25, S. 1, 4; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 69, 587, 608, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 126, 136; P.A. 88-156, S. 13; P.A. 93-262, S. 35, 87; P.A. 96-263, S. 1, 2; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 37, 124, 165; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7, S. 8, 38; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 19, 88; P.A. 98-239, S. 19, 35; 98-250, S. 30, 39; P.A. 03-89, S. 1; P.A. 04-76, S. 9; P.A. 05-272, S. 3; P.A. 10-144, S. 9; P.A. 11-44, S. 121; 11-51, S. 134; 11-219, S. 11; P.A. 12-119, S. 8; P.A. 13-234, S. 45, 103; P.A. 14-39, S. 64; 14-186, S. 2; 14-217, S. 53; P.A. 15-227, S. 25; P.A. 18-19, S. 2.)

*Note: Section 122 of public act 97-2 of the June 18 special session is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.

History: 1969 act added proviso in Subsec. (b) re access to welfare case records by representative of finance and control commissioner; 1971 act rephrased proviso re access to records granted finance and control representative; P.A. 73-25 replaced reference to repealed Secs. 17-102 and 17-132 with reference to Sec. 17-83i(b) in Subsec. (c); P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner and department with commissioner and department of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner and department of finance and control with commissioner and department of administrative services and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced commissioner and department of social services with commissioner and department of income maintenance; P.A. 78-303 included in disclosure provision commissioner and department of state police, replaced as of January 1, 1979, with commissioner and department of public safety; P.A. 88-156 replaced social services recipients with public assistance recipients in Subsec. (b); P.A. 93-262 replaced references to “this chapter” with references to programs of department of social services or persons participating in a program administered by said department and replaced references to department and commissioner of income maintenance with references to department and commissioner of social services, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-83 transferred to Sec. 17b-90 in 1995; P.A. 96-263 added Subsec. (b)(2) re disclosure of the address and telephone number of a child receiving services from the Department of Social Services to the Commissioner of Children and Families and added Subsec. (d) re the provision of written notice to a person applying or receiving assistance from the Department of Social Services, effective June 10, 1996 (Revisor's note: Subsec. (d) was editorially designated by the Revisors as Subsec. (c) and previously existing Subsec. (c) designated as (d) to retain penalty provisions' placement at end of section); June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical and conforming changes and amended Subsec. (b) by mandating the Commissioner of Social Services to disclose to any authorized representative of the Labor Commissioner such information directly related to unemployment compensation, administered pursuant to chapter 567 or information necessary for the implementation of Secs. 17b-688b to 17b-688d, inclusive and Sec. 122 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, to disclose, to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services any information necessary for the implementation and operation of the basic needs supplement program, to disclose to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Children and Families necessary information concerning the evaluation of the TANF program, expanding the mandate on the Commissioner of Children and Families from providing the address and telephone number to any necessary information of a child or the immediate family of a child receiving services from the Department of Social Services if the Commissioner of Children and Families has determined that imminent danger to such child's health, safety or welfare exists, adding a provision mandating an applicant for the program be notified that, if and when such applicant receives benefits, the department shall provide law enforcement officials with the name and address of such applicant upon the request of such official pursuant to Sec. 17b-16a, effective July 1, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7 inserted new Subsec. (c) re limitations on disclosure of information of whereabouts of one party to another party in IV-D support cases, relettering former Subsecs. (c) and (d) accordingly, effective July 1, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 made a technical change in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b)(3) re authorized representatives, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-239 amended Subsec. (b) to require the department to notify applicants for assistance under any department-administered program, rather than just the temporary family assistance program, that it will provide law enforcement officials with their addresses, eliminating reference to their names, effective June 8, 1998; P.A. 98-250 expanded Subsec. (b)(1) re management of and payment for behavioral health services for general assistance and divided Subdiv. (1) into Subdivs. (1), (2) and (3), deleted former Subdiv. (2)(A) re evaluation of temporary assistance for needy families programs, added safety net services, Commissioner of Social Services and targeting of family services programs in former Subdiv. (2) designating it as Subdiv. (4), added Subdiv. (5) re disclosure to town official or Labor Commissioner and designated former Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (6), effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 03-89 added Subsec. (b)(7) re permissible disclosures to health insurance providers in IV-D support cases and by making a technical change; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting references to “general assistance”; P.A. 05-272 added Subsec. (b)(7) to authorize disclosures to authorized representatives of the Commissioner of Public Health for purposes of carrying out their responsibilities under programs regulating child day care services or youth camps, redesignating existing Subdiv. (7) as Subdiv. (8); P.A. 10-144 amended Subsec. (c)(1) to substitute “standing criminal protective order” for “standing criminal restraining order”; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (b)(2) by replacing reference to behavioral health services for recipients of state-administered general assistance with reference to Medicaid program for low-income adults and amended Subsec. (b)(5) by deleting “financial or medical” re assistance, effective July 1, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Safety” and “Department of Public Safety” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection” and “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, respectively, in Subsec. (b)(3), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-219 amended Subsec. (b) to reference Sec. 46b-231(b)(13) in Subdiv. (8), and to add Subdivs. (9) to (11) re disclosure to authorized representative of Department of Correction, Judicial Branch and State Treasurer; P.A. 12-119 made a technical change in Subsec. (b)(5), effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 13-234 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (12) re disclosure of certain information to Commissioner of Housing, effective July 1, 2013, and amended Subsec. (b)(2) to delete reference to Medicaid program for low-income adults, effective January 1, 2014; P.A. 14-39 amended Subsec. (b)(7) by replacing “Commissioner of Public Health” with “Commissioner of Early Childhood”, effective July 1, 2014; P.A. 14-186 amended Subsec. (b)(4) by designating existing provision re imminent danger to a child as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re disclosure to Commissioner of Children and Families if commissioner requires access to federal Parent Locator Service; P.A. 14-217 amended Subsec. (b)(12) by replacing provision re disclosure to Commissioner of Housing for purpose of verifying whether applicant for renters rebate program is a cash assistance recipient with provision re disclosure to Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for implementation and operation of renters rebate program, effective June 13, 2014, and applicable to applications made on or after April 1, 2014; pursuant to P.A. 15-227, “child day care services” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “child care services” in Subsec. (b)(7), effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 18-19 amended Subsec. (b) by adding reference to Sec. 17b-112l in Subdiv. (1), making a technical change in Subdiv. (4)(B), and adding reference to two-generational academic achievement and workforce readiness initiative in Subdiv. (7), and amended Subsec. (d) by replacing reference to Subsec. (b)(2) with reference to Subsec. (b)(4), effective May 25, 2018.

Annotations to former section 17-83:

Cited. 165 C. 490; 170 C. 258. Protection of confidentiality discussed. 192 C. 310. Cited. 221 C. 393.

Cited. 32 CS 598.

Sec. 17b-91. (Formerly Sec. 17-83a). Eligibility exclusions. State supplement program. Temporary family assistance program. (a) The commissioner shall exclude, in the determination of eligibility for the state supplement program and the temporary family assistance program, burial funds in an amount not to exceed the maximum amount provided in section 17b-84. Such funds may be in the form of funeral service contracts as described in section 42-200, irrevocable funeral service contracts or the face value of life insurance policies if the cash surrender value is excluded through the irrevocable transfer of the ownership of the policy to a trust, or any combination thereof, not to exceed the maximum amount provided in said section 17b-84.

(b) The commissioner shall exclude, in the determination of eligibility for the state supplement program and for the temporary family assistance program, the value of a burial plot not to exceed one exclusion per individual.

(c) The commissioner shall exclude from consideration as an asset, in the determination of eligibility for the state supplement program and for the temporary family assistance program, the value of an irrevocable funeral contract except that the value of such contract shall be considered towards the amount excluded in subsection (a) of this section.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner from excluding from consideration as an asset in the determination of eligibility for the state supplement program, or the temporary family assistance program other personal or real property as he determines is necessary for the effective administration of such programs.

(e) Where federal law or regulations governing the state supplement program, the temporary family assistance program, or the medical assistance program conflict with the provisions of this section, such law or regulations shall prevail.

(f) The exclusion for the burial fund amount in subsection (a) of this section, the exclusion for the burial plot value in subsection (b) of this section and the exclusion for the irrevocable funeral contract value in subsection (c) of this section shall be applied by the commissioner uniformly throughout the state. For purposes of this section, “burial plot” means a purchase of a grave site, opening and closing of a grave site, cremation urn, casket, outer burial container and a headstone or marker.

(1959, P.A. 395, S. 4; 1963, P.A. 438, S. 1; February, 1965, P.A. 625, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 151, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 730, S. 35; P.A. 86-290, S. 3, 10; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 38, 165; P.A. 04-233, S. 1; P.A. 12-36, S. 8.)

History: 1963 act reduced amount of contract from $600 to $400; 1965 act increased amount to $450; 1967 act made a further increase to $500; 1969 act increased amount of contract to $600; P.A. 86-290 entirely replaced prior provisions which had limited value of prearranged funeral contracts which would not affect eligibility for assistance to $600; Sec. 17-83a transferred to Sec. 17b-91 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced references to aid to families with dependent children with temporary family assistance and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 04-233 added Subsec. (f) to require the commissioner to apply the burial fund amount exclusion in Subsec. (a), the burial plot value exclusion in Subsec. (b), and the irrevocable funeral contract value in Subsec. (c) uniformly throughout the state, and defined “burial plot”; P.A. 12-36 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing provision excluding burial funds where cash surrender value is excluded with provision requiring such funds to be excluded through irrevocable transfer of policy to a trust and making technical changes, effective May 14, 2012.

Sec. 17b-92. (Formerly Sec. 17-83c). Relocation adjustment payments and reimbursements for moving and relocation expenses not considered income, earnings, assets or rent. (a) A relocation adjustment payment under Section 114 of the federal Housing Act of 1949, as amended, shall not be considered income, earnings, assets or rent in the determination of eligibility under any public assistance program provided, if a recipient of such assistance receives a relocation adjustment payment in excess of two hundred fifty dollars, the Commissioner of Social Services shall not be required to provide such recipient with similar assistance for moving expenses or other expenses directly related to relocation. In those instances where a recipient has received a relocation adjustment payment in excess of two hundred fifty dollars and has also been provided with similar assistance for moving expenses or other expenses directly related to relocation, under any public assistance program such recipient shall be required to transfer or assign to the Commissioner of Social Services an amount equal to the relocation assistance that had been received from the Commissioner of Social Services.

(b) Any payment made pursuant to section 47-88d to a recipient of public assistance shall not be considered income, earnings, assets or rent in the determination of eligibility for any public assistance program and shall not be deducted from the amount of assistance to which the recipient would otherwise be entitled.

(1967, P.A. 620, S. 1; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 83-117, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 39, 165; P.A. 04-76, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 83-117 added Subsec. (b) concerning payments made pursuant to Sec. 47-88d and clarified references to applicable assistance programs in prior provisions; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-83c transferred to Sec. 17b-92 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 04-76 deleted references to “general assistance” and “general assistance program”.

Sec. 17b-93. (Formerly Sec. 17-83e). Claim of state for repayment of aid required to be covered under federal law. Lien restrictions. Exception to lien restrictions for child support obligations. (a) On and after July 1, 2022, the state shall not recover properly paid cash assistance or medical assistance, including by means of a lien filed on any real property, or a claim filed against property, a property interest or estate or claim of any kind, unless the state is required to recover such assistance under federal law or the provisions of this section. Any lien on real property or state claim against property, a property interest or estate or claim of any kind filed under this section by or on behalf of the state prior to July 1, 2022, shall be deemed released by the state if the recovery of such assistance is not required under federal law or the provisions of this section. As used in this subsection, “cash assistance” means payments made to a beneficiary of the aid to families with dependent children program, the state-administered general assistance program, the state supplement program or the temporary family assistance program.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to preclude the state, in an IV-D support case, from retaining child support collected from a parent subject to a support order of the Superior Court or family support magistrate based on an assignment of support rights provided in accordance with section 17b-77, unless retaining such support would conflict with federal law. The state of Connecticut shall have a lien against property of any kind or interest in any property, estate or claim of any kind of the parent of an aid to dependent children or temporary family assistance beneficiary, in addition and not in substitution of any other state claim, for amounts owing under any order for support of any court or any family support magistrate, including any arrearage under such order, provided household goods and other personal property identified in section 52-352b, real property pursuant to section 17b-79, as long as such property is used as a home for the beneficiary and money received for the replacement of real or personal property, shall be exempt from such lien.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 28; P.A. 76-334, S. 5, 12; P.A. 80-483, S. 73, 186; P.A. 81-18; P.A. 83-581, S. 30, 40; P.A. 85-564, S. 11, 12; P.A. 86-315, S. 1, 5; 86-359, S. 27, 44; P.A. 87-339, S. 1; P.A. 97-312, S. 2; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 40, 165; P.A. 99-279, S. 5; P.A. 01-207, S. 2, 12; P.A. 05-280, S. 44; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 80; P.A. 07-44, S. 1; P.A. 08-45, S. 1; P.A. 10-32, S. 61, 62; P.A. 11-44, S. 70; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 20; P.A. 16-13, S. 3; P.A. 21-3, S. 4; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 456; P.A. 22-118, S. 450.)

History: P.A. 76-334 made section applicable to those who have property as well as those who afterwards acquire property and added provisions re liens for amounts owing for court-ordered support; P.A. 80-483 replaced reference to repealed Sec. 52-352 with reference to Secs. 52-352a to 52-352e; P.A. 81-18 deleted a provision that reimbursement for claims made after October 1, 1959, be restricted to medical disbursements actually made for the care of a beneficiary; P.A. 83-581 replaced “other personal property identified in sections 52-352a to 52-352c, inclusive” with “other personal property identified in section 52-352b”; P.A. 85-564 added “subject to the provisions of section 17-83f” in two places; P.A. 86-315 made a technical change in Subsec. (a) and added a new Subsec. (b) which exempted any person under 18 years of age, who received cash benefits under the AFDC program, from repaying the state for the assistance; P.A. 86-359 added reference to support orders issued by family support magistrates; P.A. 87-339 specified instances in which no claims shall be made or liens applied; Sec. 17-83e transferred to Sec. 17b-93 in 1995; P.A. 97-312 amended Subsec. (a) by exempting “moneys received for the replacement of real or personal property” from claim by the state for repayment of aid; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-279 added a new Subsec. (d) providing that whenever funds are collected by the state through claims or liens and the person otherwise entitled to such funds is subject to a court-ordered child support payment obligation, such funds shall first be paid to the state for reimbursement of Medicaid funds and then be paid to the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement for distribution and the remainder, if any, shall be paid to the state for payment of previously provided public assistance; P.A. 01-207 added Subsec. (e) requiring commissioner to adopt regulations to establish criteria and procedures for adjustment of the state's claim under Subsec. (a) re noncustodial parents, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 05-280 amended Subsec. (c) to add “any moneys received as a settlement or award in a housing or employment discrimination case”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 changed effective date of P.A. 05-280, from October 1, 2005, to July 1, 2005, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 07-44 amended Subsec. (c) to add “or paid to any person who has been supported wholly, or in part, by the state, in accordance with section 17b-223, in a humane institution”, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 08-45 amended Subsec. (c) by exempting moneys received as settlement or award in public accommodation discrimination case from claim by the state for repayment of aid; P.A. 10-32 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (c), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to definition in Sec. 17b-75, adding provision giving state a lien against property of the parents of a beneficiary under temporary family assistance or state-administered general assistance programs, and making technical changes, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “his or her spouse” for “the beneficiary's spouse” and by substituting “his or her dependent child” for “the beneficiary's dependent child”, effective June 15, 2012, and applicable to any claim of the state arising on or after July 1, 2011; P.A. 16-13 amended Subsec. (d) by replacing “Bureau of Child Support Enforcement” with “Office of Child Support Services”, effective May 6, 2016; P.A. 21-3 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision limiting recovery by lien to amount required under federal law and making technical changes, amended Subsec. (c) by prohibiting recovery, except as required under federal law, in certain actions brought by current or former tenants or occupants against owners or lessors, and added Subsec. (f) re limitations on state recovery by lien, effective July 1, 2021; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “full amount paid” with “amount paid”, deleting provision re prohibition on application of real property lien to enforce state claim which exceeds amount required to be recovered under federal law and adding “that the state is required to recover under federal law”, and amending Subsec. (f) by adding references to a claim against property, property interest or estate or claim of any kind and to the provisions of this section and making a conforming change, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-118 deleted Subsecs. (a) to (e) re liability of beneficiaries of assistance programs and their parents for repayment to state, redesignated existing Subsec. (f) as new Subsec. (a) and therein changed “2021” to “2022”, inserted “properly paid” before “cash assistance” and changed “from a lien” to “including by means of a lien”, and added new Subsec. (b) re child support collections, effective July 1, 2022.

Annotations to former section 17-83e:

Proceeds from sale of family home by former recipient of aid to dependent children benefits are subject to claim of commissioner beyond amount secured by lien and paid pursuant to Sec. 17-82c. 168 C. 112. State precluded from seeking restitution pursuant to a lien created under section. 179 C. 463. Restriction on claim of state to “medical disbursements actually made for care of any such beneficiary” is construed to mean that recoupment cannot exceed the charges made by hospital for comparable services to the general public. 181 C. 130. Cited. 192 C. 520; 211 C. 323.

Cited. 20 CA 470.

Cited. 34 CS 578. Commissioner is not authorized to require assignments of interests other than the proceeds of causes of action as condition of continuing eligibility for benefits. Id., 586. Cited. Id., 628; 35 CS 603; Id., 628; 40 CS 394; 42 CS 548.

Annotations to present section:

Cited. 239 C. 471; Id., 791. Federal Medicaid statutes reasonably cannot be categorized as plain and unambiguous; determination of whether statutes require state to pursue third party tortfeasor directly for reimbursement, or, alternatively, require state to compensate recipient pro rata for attorney's fees and costs, will encompass text of relevant Medicaid statutes as well as their broader context and purpose; state has met federal obligation to seek reimbursement of Medicaid funds when third parties are found to be liable for a recipient's medical expenses by providing for assignment and subrogation rights and by allowing state to assert lien against funds recovered by Medicaid recipients from third parties; federal statutes governing Medicaid program do not require state to pursue third party tortfeasors directly for reimbursement of Medicaid funds, or, if state chooses to collect reimbursement indirectly from Medicaid recipient, to reduce amount of reimbursement pro rata to compensate recipient for attorney's fees and costs incurred in pursuing third party; Connecticut's reimbursement provisions, this section and Secs. 17b-94 and 17b-265, satisfy Medicaid reimbursement requirements imposed by federal law. 287 C. 82.

Cited. 37 CA 105; 39 CA 709; 40 CA 829.

Liens under section would be in addition to any lien for past due support obligations under Sec. 52-362d. 47 CS 583.

Former subsec. (a):

State has the right to seek TANF benefits paid on behalf of children from their parents. 47 CS 42.

Sec. 17b-94. (Formerly Sec. 17-83f). Claim of state against proceeds of cause of action. Assignment of interest in estate to the state. Recovery limitations. Section 17b-94 is repealed, effective July 1, 2022.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 29; 1971, P.A. 114; P.A. 77-263; 77-614, S. 70, 587, 610; P.A. 82-321; P.A. 84-455, S. 1; P.A. 85-564, S. 10, 12; P.A. 86-315, S. 2, 5; P.A. 87-339, S. 2; P.A. 96-62; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 41, 165; P.A. 04-234, S. 15; P.A. 11-44, S. 71; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 457; P.A. 22-118, S. 514.)

Sec. 17b-95. (Formerly Sec. 17-83g). Claim of state on death of Medicaid beneficiary for amounts due under federal law. Priority of claims. (a) Upon the death of any person who has at any time been a beneficiary of the Medicaid program, the state shall have a claim against such person's estate for all amounts paid on behalf of such person under the Medicaid program for which the state has not been reimbursed and that the state is required to recover under federal law, to the extent that the amount which the surviving spouse, parent or dependent children of the decedent would otherwise take from such estate is not needed for their support.

(b) Claims pursuant to this section shall have priority over all unsecured claims against such estate, except (1) expenses of last sickness not to exceed three hundred seventy-five dollars, (2) funeral and burial expenses in accordance with sections 17b-84 and 17b-131, and (3) administrative expenses, including probate fees and taxes, and including fiduciary fees not exceeding the following commissions on the value of the whole estates accounted for by such fiduciaries: On the first two thousand dollars or portion thereof, five per cent; on the next eight thousand dollars or portion thereof, four per cent; on the excess over ten thousand dollars, three per cent. Upon petition by any fiduciary, the Probate Court, after a hearing thereon, may authorize compensation in excess of the above schedule for extraordinary services. Notice of any such petition and hearing shall be given to the Commissioner of Administrative Services in Hartford at least ten days in advance of such hearing. The allowable funeral and burial payment herein shall be reduced by the amount of any prepaid funeral arrangement. Any amount paid from the estate under this section to any person which exceeds the limits provided herein shall be repaid to the estate by such person, and such amount may be recovered in a civil action with interest at six per cent from the date of demand.

(c) For purposes of this section, all sums due on or after July 1, 2003, to any individual after the death of a Medicaid beneficiary pursuant to the terms of an annuity contract purchased at any time with assets of a Medicaid beneficiary, shall be deemed to be part of the estate of the deceased beneficiary and shall be payable to the state by the recipient of such annuity payments to the extent necessary to achieve full reimbursement of any Medicaid benefits paid to, or on behalf of, the deceased beneficiary that the state is required to recover under federal law and the provisions of section 17b-93, irrespective of any provision of law. The recipient of beneficiary payments from any such annuity contract shall be solely liable to the state of Connecticut for reimbursement of Medicaid benefits paid to, or on behalf of, the deceased beneficiary that the state is required to recover under federal law and the provisions of section 17b-93 to the extent of any payments received by such recipient pursuant to the annuity contract.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 30; P.A. 77-614, S. 70, 610; P.A. 78-337, S. 6, 11; P.A. 86-315, S. 3, 5; P.A. 88-156, S. 14; 88-364, S. 26, 123; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 42, 165; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 59; P.A. 04-258, S. 11; P.A. 14-217, S. 76; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 458; P.A. 22-118, S. 451.)

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with commissioner of administrative services; P.A. 78-337 specified applicable program as aid to families with dependent children, rather than as “aid to dependent children” and deleted reference to $600 limit on funeral and burial expenses in Subdiv. (2), referring instead to expenses allowed under Sec. 17-82q; P.A. 86-315 added reference to Sec. 17-83e(b); P.A. 88-156 and P.A. 88-364 made technical changes; Sec. 17-83g transferred to Sec. 17b-95 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 designated existing provisions as Subsecs. (a), (b), and (c), in Subsec. (a) adding that effective September 1, 2003, recipients of “Connecticut Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract to the Elderly and Disabled Program” benefits are subject to estate recovery provisions, and in Subsec. (b) adding provision re state's claim for recovery of ConnPACE program benefits restricted to persons dying after September 1, 2003, for “benefits actually received on or after July 1, 2003”, added Subsec. (d) providing that all sums due to any individual on or after July 1, 2003, pursuant to the terms of an annuity contract purchased by a public assistance beneficiary, shall be payable to the state to the extent needed to achieve full reimbursement of the public assistance benefits received, and made technical changes, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-258 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions that, on or after September 1, 2003, allowed the state to make a claim for reimbursement of benefits paid against the estate of a Connecticut Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract to the Elderly and Disabled Program beneficiary and amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provision that authorized recovery of ConnPACE program benefits for those benefits received on or after July 1, 2003, effective June 1, 2004; P.A. 14-217 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision exempting estate of recipient of medical assistance under the Medicaid Coverage for the Lowest Income Populations program from state claim, effective June 13, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsecs. (a) and (d) by adding references to recovery required under federal law or the provisions of Sec. 17b-93, amended Subsec. (c) by adding reference to Sec. 17b-131, and added Subsec. (e) re limitations on state recovery on and after July 1, 2021, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-118 deleted provisions in Subsec. (a) re liability of estates of beneficiaries of assistance programs and their parents for amounts paid, inserted provisions limiting liability to Medicaid payments required to be recovered under federal law, removed exemption from liability for beneficiaries of Medicaid Coverage for the Lowest Income Populations program, deleted Subsec. (b) re limitation on medical payment recovery for persons who died after October 1, 1959, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as new Subsecs. (b) and (c), changed references to “public assistance” to “Medicaid” in new Subsec. (c), deleted Subsec. (e) re limitations on state recovery of assistance payments and made technical changes throughout, effective July 1, 2022.

Annotations to former section 17-83g:

Cited. 34 CS 518; 42 CS 548.

Annotations to present section:

Cited. 239 C. 471. Statute requires a person's Medicaid debt be satisfied prior to payment of other personal debts, such as credit card debts, that the person incurs. 248 C. 708.

Sec. 17b-96. (Formerly Sec. 17-83h). Collection of state's claim. Disposition of recoveries. The Attorney General shall collect any claim which the state may have hereunder against any person, or his estate, and any amount recovered shall be paid to the State Treasurer, to be placed to the credit of the state General Fund. The statute of limitations shall not apply to any action for such collection. In each case in which the state shall have recovered any amount with respect to assistance furnished any beneficiary, the federal portion of the amount so recovered shall be promptly paid to the United States, if required as a condition of federal financial participation.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 31.)

History: Sec. 17-83h transferred to Sec. 17b-96 in 1995.

Sec. 17b-97. (Formerly Sec. 17-83i). Fraud in obtaining aid or food stamp or supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits or in receiving payment. Penalties. Unlawful award of public assistance benefits. (a) Any food stamps or supplemental nutrition assistance furnished or any sums paid to or on behalf of any person under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program, aid to families with dependent children program, state-administered general assistance program, food stamp program or supplemental nutrition assistance program as a result of any false statement, misrepresentation or concealment of or failure to disclose assets by him, or by any person legally liable for his support, may be recovered in an action brought by the state against such person or persons.

(b) Any person who, by means of an intentionally false statement or misrepresentation or by impersonation or other fraudulent act or device, obtains, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain, any monetary award under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program, aid to families with dependent children program, state-administered general assistance program, food stamp program or supplemental nutrition assistance program to which he is not entitled; and any person who, with intent to defraud, buys or aids or abets in buying or in any way disposing of the property of a person receiving an award, and any person who, with intent to defraud, violates the provisions of section 17b-85 or any other provision of said programs shall be subject to the penalties for larceny under sections 53a-122 and 53a-123, depending on the amount involved. When a person receiving assistance is convicted of an offense involving an overpayment of public assistance under said sections, the Commissioner of Social Services may discontinue his award or take such other action as conforms to federal regulations.

(d) Any person who, by means of an intentionally false statement or misrepresentation or by impersonation or other fraudulent act or device, obtains, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain, or who knowingly uses, transfers, acquires, alters, or attempts to use, traffic in, forge or possess, any United States Department of Agriculture food coupon, food stamp coupon authorization to participate card, or Department of Social Services public assistance photographic identification card or electronically coded identification and debit card, shall be subject to the penalties for larceny under sections 53a-122 and 53a-123, depending on the amount involved.

(e) Any person having duties in the administration of a state or federally funded public assistance program who fraudulently misappropriates, attempts to misappropriate, or aids and abets in the misappropriation of any United States Department of Agriculture food coupon, food stamp coupon authorization to participate card, or Department of Social Services public assistance photographic identification card or electronically coded identification and debit card, shall be subject to the penalties for larceny under sections 53a-122 and 53a-123, depending on the amount involved and shall be subject to discipline or discharge by the commissioner.

(f) Any person having duties in the administration of a state or federally funded public assistance program who, directly or indirectly, by himself or by another, solicits, accepts or agrees to accept from another, any benefit for, because of or as consideration for, taking, or promising to take, action which results, or is intended to result, in the unlawful award, transfer or receipt of public assistance benefits or United States Department of Agriculture food stamp or supplemental nutrition assistance benefits shall be subject to the penalty provided for bribe receiving under section 53a-148 and shall be subject to discipline or discharge by the commissioner.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 25; P.A. 73-48; 73-389; P.A. 74-140, S. 1, 3; 74-338, S. 84, 94; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; 75-558, S. 1; P.A. 77-516; 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 79-146, S. 2; P.A. 84-59, S. 1; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-356, S. 1; P.A. 96-169, S. 17; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 43, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 73-48 added Subsec. (c) re judgments against person convicted of violation of law re public assistance; P.A. 73-389 specified laws for which provisions are applicable in Subsec. (b), deleting reference to “laws governing assistance for the aged, the blind and the totally disabled”, replaced penalty of $200 maximum fine and/or six month's maximum imprisonment with penalties of specific classes and required discontinuance of award for overpayment offenses rather than “offenses under this section”; P.A. 74-140 made discontinuance of award for overpayment offenses optional rather than mandatory, allowed commissioner to take other action conforming to federal regulations and repealed Subsec. (c); P.A. 74-338 replaced provision for penalties of class C or D felony and class B misdemeanor with provision for penalty for larceny under Secs. 53a-122 to 53a-125; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 75-558 deleted from applicability of provisions vendors of goods and services who receive payments exceeding amount allowed by law and those who pay such vendors more than amount so allowed; P.A. 77-516 made obtaining food stamps fraudulently an offense under Subsec. (b); P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-146 included food stamp offenses in Subsec. (a); P.A. 84-59 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting phrases “or any food stamps under section 17-12a” and “without the consent of the commissioner” and added “with intent to defraud” and reference to Sec. 53a-123, and added Subsecs. (d), (e) and (f) re fraudulent use of food coupons or public assistance identification card, fraud by person having duties in administration of state or federally funded public assistance program and soliciting or accepting benefits for unlawful award of public assistance benefits by person having duties in administration of a state or federally funded public assistance program; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-83i transferred to Sec. 17b-97 in 1995; P.A. 95-356 amended Subsecs. (d) and (e) by adding an “electronically coded identification and debit card” to the list of items prohibited from being fraudulently used; P.A. 96-169 amended Subsecs. (e) and (f) to subject persons administering program to discipline or discharge by the commissioner for fraudulent acts; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 amended Subsecs. (a), (b) and (f) by adding references to supplemental nutrition assistance and made technical changes, effective May 4, 2009.

Annotations to former section 17-83i:

Cited. 176 C. 57; 202 C. 86.

Requires a showing that a false representation or statement of a past or existing fact was made by the accused. 32 CS 591.

Cited. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 390.

Sec. 17b-98. (Formerly Sec. 17-83j). Cost of aid and administration. The cost of aid furnished under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program, state-administered general assistance program and supplemental nutrition assistance program as well as the cost of its administration, shall be borne entirely by the state of Connecticut, except to such extent as such cost to the state may be reduced by grants from the federal government.

(1969, P.A. 730, S. 17; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 44, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 17.)

History: Sec. 17-83j transferred to Sec. 17b-98 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-99. (Formerly Sec. 17-83k). Vendor fraud penalties. Distribution of medical assistance program rules. Regulations. Audits of service providers. Appeal. (a) Any vendor found guilty of vendor fraud under sections 53a-290 to 53a-296, inclusive, shall be subject to forfeiture or suspension of any franchise or license held by such vendor from the state in accordance with this subsection, after hearing in the manner provided for in sections 4-176e to 4-180a, inclusive, and 4-181a. Any vendor convicted of vendor fraud under sections 53a-290 to 53a-296, inclusive, shall have such license or franchise revoked. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude any board or commission established under chapters 369 to 376, inclusive, 378 to 381, inclusive, and 383 to 388, inclusive, and the Department of Public Health with respect to professions under its jurisdiction which have no board or commission from taking any action authorized in section 19a-17. Any vendor who is convicted in any state or federal court of a crime involving fraud in the Medicare program or Medicaid program or aid to families with dependent children program or state-administered general assistance program or temporary family assistance program or state supplement to the federal Supplemental Security Income Program or any federal or state energy assistance program or general assistance program or state-funded child care program or the refugee program shall be terminated from such programs, effective upon conviction, except that the Commissioner of Social Services may delay termination for a period he deems sufficient to protect the health and well-being of beneficiaries receiving services from such vendor. A vendor who is ineligible for federal financial participation shall be ineligible for participation in such programs. No vendor shall be eligible for reimbursement for any goods provided or services performed by a person convicted of a crime involving fraud in such programs. The convicted person may request a hearing concerning such ineligibility for reimbursement pursuant to sections 4-176e to 4-180a, inclusive, and 4-181a provided such request is filed in writing with the Commissioner of Social Services within ten days of the date of written notice by the commissioner to the person of such ineligibility. The commissioner shall give notice of such ineligibility to such vendors by means of publication in the Connecticut Law Journal following the expiration of said ten-day hearing request period, if no timely request has been filed, or following the decision on the hearing. The Commissioner of Social Services may take such steps as necessary to inform the public of the conviction and ineligibility for reimbursement. No vendor or person so terminated or denied reimbursement shall be readmitted to or be eligible for reimbursement in such programs. Any sums paid as a result of vendor fraud under sections 53a-290 to 53a-296, inclusive, may be recovered in an action brought by the state against such person.

(b) For the purpose of determining compliance with subsection (a) of this section, all vendors shall notify the commissioner within thirty days after the date of employment or conviction, whichever is later, of the identity, interest and extent of services performed by any person convicted of a crime involving fraud in the Medicare program or Medicaid program or aid to families with dependent children program or state-administered general assistance program or temporary family assistance program or state supplement to the federal Supplemental Security Income Program or any federal or state energy assistance program or general assistance program or state-funded child care program or the refugee program. Prior to the commissioner's acceptance of a provider agreement or at any time upon written request by the commissioner, the vendor shall furnish the commissioner with the identity of any person convicted of a crime involving fraud in such programs who has an ownership or control interest in the vendor or who is an agent or managing employee. The commissioner shall terminate, refuse to enter into or renew an agreement with a vendor, except a vendor providing room and board and services pursuant to section 17b-340, if such convicted person has such interest or is such agent or employee. In the case of a vendor providing room and board and services pursuant to said section 17b-340, the commissioner may terminate, refuse to enter into or renew an agreement after consideration of any adverse impact on beneficiaries of such termination or refusal.

(c) The Department of Social Services shall distribute to all vendors who are providers in the medical assistance program a copy of the rules, regulations, standards and laws governing the program. The Commissioner of Social Services shall adopt by regulation in the manner provided for in sections 4-166 to 4-176, inclusive, administrative sanctions against providers in the Medicare program or Medicaid program or aid to families with dependent children program or state-funded child care program or state-administered general assistance program or temporary family assistance program or state supplement to the federal Supplemental Security Income Program including suspension from the program, for any violations of the rules, regulations, standards or law. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to provide for the withholding of payments currently due in order to offset money previously obtained as the result of error or fraud. The department shall notify the proper professional society and licensing agency of any violations of this section.

(d) (1) The Commissioner of Social Services, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts for the purpose of conducting an audit of a service provider that participates as a provider of services in a program operated or administered by the department pursuant to this chapter or chapter 319t, 319v, 319y or 319ff, except a service provider for which rates are established pursuant to section 17b-340, shall conduct any such audit in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, (A) “clerical error” means an unintentional typographical, scrivener's or computer error, (B) “extrapolation” means the determination of an unknown value by projecting the results of the review of a sample to the universe from which the sample was drawn, (C) “ninety-five per cent confidence level” means there is a probability of at least ninety-five per cent that the result is reliable, (D) “provider” means a person, public agency, private agency or proprietary agency that is licensed, certified or otherwise approved by the commissioner to supply services authorized by the programs set forth in said chapters, (E) “stratified sampling” means a method of sampling that involves the division of a population into smaller groups known as strata based on shared attributes, characteristics or similar paid claim amounts, (F) “statistically valid sampling and extrapolation methodology” means a methodology that is (i) validated by a statistician who has completed graduate work in statistics and has significant experience developing statistically valid samples and extrapolating the results of such samples on behalf of government entities, (ii) provides for the exclusion of highly unusual claims that are not representative of the universe of paid claims, (iii) has a ninety-five per cent confidence level or greater, and (iv) includes stratified sampling when applicable, and (G) “universe” means a defined population of claims submitted by a provider during a specific time period.

(2) Not less than thirty days prior to the commencement of any such audit, the commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct an audit of a participating provider, shall provide written notification of the audit to such provider and the statistically valid sampling and extrapolation methodology to be used in conducting such audit, unless the commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct an audit of a participating provider makes a good faith determination that (A) the health or safety of a recipient of services is at risk; or (B) the provider is engaging in vendor fraud. At the commencement of the audit, the commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct an audit of a participating provider, shall disclose (i) the name and contact information of the assigned auditor or auditors, (ii) the audit location, including notice of whether such audit shall be conducted on-site or through record submission, (iii) the manner by which information requested shall be submitted, and (iv) the types of information to be reviewed in the audit. No audit shall include claims paid more than thirty-six months from the date claims are selected for the audit. The commissioner shall not apply an agency policy, guideline, bulletin or manual provision or other criteria, including, but not limited to, updated medical payment codes, to make determinations in an audit unless the policy, guideline, bulletin or manual provision or other criteria, together with the effective date, was promulgated and distributed to a provider prior to provision of a service included in a claim being audited. The commissioner shall accept a scanned copy of documentation supporting a claim when the original documentation is unavailable.

(3) Any clerical error discovered in a record or document produced for any such audit shall not of itself constitute a wilful violation of program rules unless proof of intent to commit fraud or otherwise violate program rules is established. In determining which providers shall be subject to audits, the Commissioner of Social Services may give consideration to the history of a provider's compliance in addition to other criteria used to select a provider for an audit.

(4) A finding of overpayment or underpayment to a provider in a program operated or administered by the department pursuant to this chapter or chapter 319t, 319v, 319y or 319ff, except a provider for which rates are established pursuant to section 17b-340, shall not be based on extrapolation unless the total net amount of extrapolated overpayment calculated from a statistically valid sampling and extrapolation methodology exceeds one and three-quarters per cent of total claims paid to the provider for the audit period.

(5) In conducting any audit pursuant to this subsection, the commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct such audit, shall accept (A) as sufficient proof of a written order: A photocopy, facsimile image, an electronically maintained document or original pen and ink document, and (B) as sufficient proof of delivery of a covered item or service: A receipt signed by the recipient of medical assistance or a nursing facility representative or, in the case of delivery of a covered item or service by a shipping or delivery service, a supplier's detailed shipping invoice and the delivery service tracking information substantiating delivery. The commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct such audit, may seek additional documentation in circumstances including, but not limited to: (i) The proof provided is insufficiently legible, (ii) the proof provided is contradicted by other sources of information reviewed in the audit, or (iii) the commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct such audit, makes a good faith determination that the provider may be engaging in vendor fraud. A provider, in complying with the requirements of any such audit, shall be allowed not less than thirty days to provide documentation in connection with any discrepancy discovered and brought to the attention of such provider in the course of any such audit. Such documentation may include evidence that errors concerning payment and billing resulted from a provider's transition to a new payment or billing service or accounting system. The commissioner shall not calculate an overpayment based on extrapolation or attempt to recover such extrapolated overpayment when the provider presents credible evidence that an error by the commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct an audit pursuant to this subsection, caused the overpayment, provided the commissioner may recover the amount of the original overpayment.

(6) The commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts, for the purpose of conducting an audit of a provider of any of the programs operated or administered by the department pursuant to this chapter or chapter 319t, 319v, 319y or 319ff, except a service provider for which rates are established pursuant to section 17b-340, shall produce a preliminary written report concerning any audit conducted pursuant to this subsection, and such preliminary report shall be provided to the provider that was the subject of the audit not later than sixty days after the conclusion of such audit.

(7) The commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts, for the purpose of conducting an audit of a provider of any of the programs operated or administered by the department pursuant to this chapter or chapter 319t, 319v, 319y or 319ff, except a service provider for which rates are established pursuant to section 17b-340, shall, following the issuance of the preliminary report pursuant to subdivision (6) of this subsection, hold an exit conference with any provider that was the subject of any audit pursuant to this subsection for the purpose of discussing the preliminary report. Such provider may present evidence at such exit conference refuting findings in the preliminary report.

(8) The commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts, for the purpose of conducting an audit of a service provider, shall produce a final written report concerning any audit conducted pursuant to this subsection. Such final written report shall be provided to the provider that was the subject of the audit not later than sixty days after the date of the exit conference conducted pursuant to subdivision (7) of this subsection, unless the commissioner, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts for the purpose of conducting an audit of a service provider, agrees to a later date or there are other referrals or investigations pending concerning the provider.

(9) Any provider aggrieved by a decision contained in a final written report issued pursuant to subdivision (8) of this subsection may, not later than thirty days after the receipt of the final report, request, in writing, a contested case hearing in accordance with chapter 54. Such request shall contain a detailed written description of each specific item of aggrievement. The designee of the commissioner who presides over the hearing shall be impartial and shall not be an employee of the Department of Social Services Office of Quality Assurance or an employee of an entity with which the commissioner contracts for the purpose of conducting an audit of a service provider. A provider shall be permitted to raise during such hearing that a negative audit finding was due to a provider's compliance with a state or federal law or regulation. Following review on all items of aggrievement, the designee of the commissioner who presides over the hearing shall issue a final decision not later than ninety days following the close of evidence or the date on which final briefs are filed, whichever occurs later. When a provider requests a hearing pursuant to this subdivision, and the provider is contesting an overpayment amount based on extrapolation, the Department of Social Services shall not recoup the overpayment amount at issue until a final decision is issued after the hearing.

(10) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any audit conducted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit established within the Office of the Chief State's Attorney.

(11) The commissioner shall provide free training to providers on how to enter claims to avoid errors and shall post information on the department's Internet web site concerning the auditing process, standard audit procedures and methods to avoid clerical errors. The commissioner shall establish and publish on the department's Internet web site audit protocols to assist the Medicaid provider community in developing programs to improve compliance with Medicaid requirements under state and federal laws and regulations, provided audit protocols may not be relied upon to create a substantive or procedural right or benefit enforceable at law or in equity by any person, including a corporation. The commissioner shall establish audit protocols for specific providers or categories of service, including, but not limited to: (A) Licensed home health agencies, (B) drug and alcohol treatment centers, (C) durable medical equipment, (D) hospital outpatient services, (E) physician and nursing services, (F) dental services, (G) behavioral health services, (H) pharmaceutical services, (I) emergency and nonemergency medical transportation services, and (J) homemaker companion services. The commissioner shall ensure that the Department of Social Services, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct an audit pursuant to this subsection, has on staff or consults with, as needed, a medical or dental professional who is experienced in the use and review of electronic medical records, and the treatment, billing and coding procedures used by the provider being audited. The commissioner shall ensure that an auditor reviews any electronic medical record associated with a patient chart included in the audit.

(P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; 75-558, S. 2; P.A. 76-242, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 587, 608, 610; P.A. 78-221, S. 1–3; 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 81-41, S. 1, 2; P.A. 82-190, S. 1, 2; P.A. 83-179; P.A. 84-235, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-324; P.A. 88-176; 88-317, S. 71, 107; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 96-169, S. 2; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 45, 165; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 22, 53; P.A. 05-195, S. 1; P.A. 06-196, S. 131; P.A. 07-217, S. 73; P.A. 10-116, S. 1; P.A. 11-25, S. 6; 11-236, S. 5; P.A. 14-162, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 400; P.A. 17-135, S. 1; P.A. 18-76, S. 1–3.)

History: P.A. 75-420 allowed substitution of department of social services for welfare department in P.A. 75-558 which created the section; P.A. 76-242 included vendors providing services to recipients under Title XIX of Social Security Act in prohibitions of Subsec. (a), added reference to hearing in Subsec. (b) and added Subsec. (c) re adoption of regulations and distribution of rules to vendors; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced commissioner and department of social services with commissioner and department of income maintenance; P.A. 78-221 prohibited presenting false claim for payment with intent to defraud and added prohibition against accepting payments in excess of amounts due in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (d) imposing five-year limitation on prosecution; P.A. 81-41 added the requirement in Subsec. (b) that vendors convicted of medical assistance fraud be terminated from the program and provided the procedure for their readmission, and in Subsec. (c) empowered commissioner to adopt regulations re withholding of payments due to offset money previously obtained through error or fraud; P.A. 82-190 extended applicability of Subsec. (b) to include vendors convicted of a crime involving fraud in the aid to families with dependent children program, the state supplement to the Federal Supplemental Security Income Program or any federal or state energy assistance program or general assistance program; P.A. 83-179 defined the term “vendor,” added the exception from termination upon conviction to protect the health and well-being of beneficiaries, added the provisions re ineligibility for reimbursement for goods or services performed by a person convicted of a crime involving fraud in assistance programs and inserted Subsec. (c) re notice of the identity, interest and services performed by such convicted person, relettering remaining Subsecs. accordingly; P.A. 84-235 added the language in Subsec. (b) concerning the suspension or revocation of a franchise or license based on the number of convictions for larceny and amended Subsec. (d) by listing the programs for which administrative sanctions are required; P.A. 85-324 amended Subsec. (b) to clarify the authority of the boards and commissions and the commissioner of health services to take action under Sec. 19a-17 in vendor fraud actions; P.A. 88-176 added the refugee program to Subsecs. (b) and (c), added a provision re the effect of vendor ineligibility for federal financial participation and reduced to one year the time in which a vendor may apply for readmission to the programs in Subsec. (b); P.A. 88-317 amended references to Secs. 4-177 to 4-180 in Subsec. (b) and amended reference to Secs. 4-166 to 4-176 and Ch. 54 in Subsec. (d), to include new sections added to Ch. 54, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-83k transferred to Sec. 17b-99 in 1995; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-169 deleted Subsec. (a) defining vendor fraud, relettering Subsecs. (b) to (d) as (a) to (c), respectively, amended Subsec. (a) to replace reference to larceny with vendor fraud, to delete suspension penalties for vendors convicted of vendor fraud and make revocation of license or franchise the penalty for the first conviction of vendor fraud and to make termination or denial of reimbursement permanent, replacing a one-year period and deleted Subsec. (c) re limits on prosecution; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 added the state-administered general assistance program and the temporary family assistance program to the provisions of this section, effective July 1, 1997; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2 added provisions re a vendor who is convicted of a crime involving fraud in a state-funded child care program and made technical changes in Subsec. (a) for the purpose of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2000; P.A. 05-195 added new Subsec. (d) re audits of service providers by the Department of Social Services, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (d)(7), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-217 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 10-116 amended Subsec. (d) by adding provision in Subdiv. (1) requiring regulations to be appended to audit notification, by making technical changes in Subdivs. (5) and (7), by adding provision in Subdiv. (8) requiring issuance of a final decision, by adding new Subdiv. (9) providing for right to appeal final decision, by redesignating existing Subdiv. (9) as Subdiv. (10) and by adding Subdiv. (11) requiring commissioner to adopt regulations, effective July 1, 2010 (Revisor's note: In 2011, a reference to “subdivision (12)” in Subsec. (d)(1) was changed editorially by the Revisors to “subdivision (11)” for accuracy); P.A. 11-25 made technical changes in Subsec. (d); P.A. 11-236 amended Subsec. (d) by adding exception to audit provisions for service providers for which rates are established under Sec. 17b-340 and, in Subdiv. (9), by restating provision allowing provider to appeal final decision, specifying that final decision is issued pursuant to Subdiv. (8) and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 14-162 amended Subsec. (d) to define “extrapolation” and “universe”, add provision allowing commissioner to consider history of compliance in choosing provider for audit in Subdiv. (2), change from $150,000 to $200,000 the annual aggregate claim amount that may trigger finding based on extrapolation and make a technical change in Subdiv. (3), add provision allowing provider to present evidence at exit conference in Subdiv. (6) and add provisions re free provider training and audit protocols in Subdiv. (11), effective July 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (d) by designating existing provisions re definitions as new Subdiv. (1) and amending same by adding definitions of “clerical error”, “ninety-five per cent confidence level”, “stratified sampling” and “statistically valid sampling and extrapolation methodology”, redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) to (8) as Subdivs. (2) to (9), adding provisions re audit procedures and disclosures and deleting provision re copy of regulations to be appended to notification in redesignated Subdiv. (2), deleting provision re recordkeeping, typographical, scrivener's or computer error in redesignated Subdiv. (3), deleting former Subparas. (A) to (C) and adding provision re extrapolated overpayment in redesignated Subdiv. (4), adding provisions re documentation of evidence re payment and billing errors in redesignated Subdiv. (5), replacing references to review with references to hearing and adding provisions re 90-day deadline and recoupment of overpayment amount in redesignated Subdiv. (9), deleting former Subdiv. (9) re appeal, deleting provisions re adoption of regulations and adding Subpara. (J) re homemaker companion services in Subdiv. (11), and making technical changes, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 17-135 amended Subsec. (d) by adding provision re application of agency policy, guideline, bulletin or manual provision or other criteria to make determination in audit in Subdiv. (2), deleting references to February 1, 2015 and January 1, 2016 in Subdiv. (11), and making technical changes, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 18-76 amended Subsec. (d)(2) by adding clause (iv) re types of information to be reviewed in audit, adding reference to updated medical payment codes, and making technical changes, amended Subsec. (d)(5) by adding provisions re sufficient proof of written order and covered item or service and circumstances under which additional documentation may be sought, and amended Subsec. (d)(11) by adding “standard audit procedures” and provisions re electronic medical record review, effective July 1, 2018.

Annotation to former section 17-83k:

Cited. 14 CA 256.

Annotation to present section:

Fact that department had terminated a provider agreement does not protect provider from sanctions; in order to be sanctioned, provider must have been acting as a provider at the time of the alleged violations of Medicaid rules and regulations; department has the authority to sanction individuals because term “provider”, as defined in the regulations adopted pursuant to section, clearly and unambiguously includes both an institutional entity and an individual; although regulations adopted pursuant to section require a valid and fully completed certification for Medicaid reimbursement, nothing in federal or state law precludes commissioner from examining other relevant evidence to ensure that certifications are valid. 288 C. 790.

Sec. 17b-99a. Audits of long-term care facilities. (a)(1) For purposes of this section, (A) “extrapolation” means the determination of an unknown value by projecting the results of the review of a sample to the universe from which the sample was drawn, (B) “facility” means any facility described in this subsection and for which rates are established pursuant to section 17b-340, and (C) “universe” means a defined population of claims submitted by a facility during a specific time period.

(2) The Commissioner of Social Services shall conduct any audit of a licensed chronic and convalescent nursing home, chronic disease hospital associated with a chronic and convalescent nursing home, a rest home with nursing supervision, a licensed residential care home, as defined in section 19a-490, and a residential facility for persons with intellectual disability which is licensed pursuant to section 17a-227 and certified to participate in the Medicaid program as an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) Not less than thirty days prior to the commencement of any such audit, the commissioner shall provide written notification of the audit to such facility, unless the commissioner makes a good-faith determination that (1) the health or safety of a recipient of services is at risk; or (2) the facility is engaging in vendor fraud under sections 53a-290 to 53a-296, inclusive.

(c) Any clerical error, including, but not limited to, recordkeeping, typographical, scrivener's or computer error, discovered in a record or document produced for any such audit, shall not of itself constitute a wilful violation of the rules of a medical assistance program administered by the Department of Social Services unless proof of intent to commit fraud or otherwise violate program rules is established. In determining which facilities shall be subject to audits, the Commissioner of Social Services may give consideration to the history of a facility's compliance in addition to other criteria used to select a facility for an audit.

(d) A finding of overpayment or underpayment to such facility shall not be based on extrapolation unless (1) there is a determination of sustained or high level of payment error involving the facility, (2) documented educational intervention has failed to correct the level of payment error, or (3) the value of the claims in aggregate exceeds two hundred thousand dollars on an annual basis.

(e) A facility, in complying with the requirements of any such audit, shall be allowed not less than thirty days to provide documentation in connection with any discrepancy discovered and brought to the attention of such facility in the course of any such audit.

(f) The commissioner shall produce a preliminary written report concerning any audit conducted pursuant to this section and such preliminary report shall be provided to the facility that was the subject of the audit not later than sixty days after the conclusion of such audit.

(g) The commissioner shall, following the issuance of the preliminary report pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, hold an exit conference with any facility that was the subject of any audit pursuant to this subsection for the purpose of discussing the preliminary report. Such facility may present evidence at such exit conference refuting findings in the preliminary report.

(h) The commissioner shall produce a final written report concerning any audit conducted pursuant to this subsection. Such final written report shall be provided to the facility that was the subject of the audit not later than sixty days after the date of the exit conference conducted pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, unless the commissioner and the facility agree to a later date or there are other referrals or investigations pending concerning the facility.

(i) Any facility aggrieved by a final report issued pursuant to subsection (h) of this section may request a rehearing. A rehearing shall be held by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, provided a detailed written description of all items of aggrievement in the final report is filed by the facility not later than ninety days following the date of written notice of the commissioner's decision. The rehearing shall be held not later than thirty days following the date of filing of the detailed written description of each specific item of aggrievement. The commissioner shall issue a final decision not later than sixty days following the close of evidence or the date on which final briefs are filed, whichever occurs later. Any items not resolved at such rehearing to the satisfaction of the facility or the commissioner shall be submitted to binding arbitration by an arbitration board consisting of one member appointed by the facility, one member appointed by the commissioner and one member appointed by the Chief Court Administrator from among the retired judges of the Superior Court, which retired judge shall be compensated for his services on such board in the same manner as a state referee is compensated for his services under section 52-434. The proceedings of the arbitration board and any decisions rendered by such board shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396, as amended from time to time, and chapter 54.

(j) The submission of any false or misleading fiscal information or data to the commissioner shall be grounds for suspension of payments by the state under sections 17b-239 to 17b-246, inclusive, and sections 17b-340 and 17b-343, in accordance with regulations adopted by the commissioner. In addition, any person, including any corporation, who knowingly makes or causes to be made any false or misleading statement or who knowingly submits false or misleading fiscal information or data on the forms approved by the commissioner shall be guilty of a class D felony.

(k) The commissioner, or any agent authorized by the commissioner to conduct any inquiry, investigation or hearing under the provisions of this section, shall have power to administer oaths and take testimony under oath relative to the matter of inquiry or investigation. At any hearing ordered by the commissioner, the commissioner or such agent having authority by law to issue such process may subpoena witnesses and require the production of records, papers and documents pertinent to such inquiry. If any person disobeys such process or, having appeared in obedience thereto, refuses to answer any pertinent question put to the person by the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent or to produce any records and papers pursuant thereto, the commissioner or the commissioner's agent may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford or for the judicial district wherein the person resides or wherein the business has been conducted, or to any judge of such court if the same is not in session, setting forth such disobedience to process or refusal to answer, and such court or judge shall cite such person to appear before such court or judge to answer such question or to produce such records and papers.

(l) The commissioner shall provide free training to facilities on the preparation of cost reports to avoid clerical errors and shall post information on the department's Internet web site concerning the auditing process and methods to avoid clerical errors. Not later than April 1, 2015, the commissioner shall establish audit protocols to assist facilities subject to audit pursuant to this section in developing programs to improve compliance with Medicaid requirements under state and federal laws and regulations, provided audit protocols may not be relied upon to create a substantive or procedural right or benefit enforceable at law or in equity by any person, including a corporation. The commissioner shall establish and publish on the department's Internet web site audit protocols for: (1) Licensed chronic and convalescent nursing homes, (2) chronic disease hospitals associated with chronic and convalescent nursing homes, (3) rest homes with nursing supervision, (4) licensed residential care homes, as defined in section 19a-490, and (5) residential facilities for persons with intellectual disability that are licensed pursuant to section 17a-227 and certified to participate in the Medicaid program as intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The commissioner shall ensure that the Department of Social Services, or any entity with which the commissioner contracts to conduct an audit pursuant to this section, has on staff or consults with, as needed, licensed health professionals with experience in treatment, billing and coding procedures used by the facilities being audited pursuant to this section.

(P.A. 11-236, S. 6; P.A. 13-139, S. 3; P.A. 14-162, S. 2; P.A. 17-9, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 135.)

History: P.A. 11-236 effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 13-139 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by substituting “persons with intellectual disability” or “individuals with intellectual disabilities” for “the mentally retarded”; P.A. 14-162 amended Subsec. (a) to define “extrapolation” and “universe” and delete reference to Title XIX, amended Subsec. (c) to add provision allowing commissioner to consider history of compliance in choosing facility for audit, amended Subsec. (d) to change from $150,000 to $200,000 the annual aggregate claim amount that may trigger finding based on extrapolation and make a technical change, amended Subsec. (g) to add provision allowing facility to present evidence at exit conference and added Subsec. (l) re regulations, free training and audit protocols, effective July 1, 2014; P.A. 17-9 amended Subsec. (l) by replacing “disabilities” with “disability”; P.A. 17-9 amended Subsec. (l) by replacing “disabilities” with “disability”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (l) by deleting provision re commissioner to adopt regulations, effective October 31, 2017.

Sec. 17b-99b. Joint report re Medicaid fraud prevention and overpayment recovery. (a) On January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Services, in coordination with the Chief State's Attorney and the Attorney General, shall submit a joint report on the state's efforts in the previous fiscal year to prevent and control fraud, abuse and errors in the Medicaid payment system and to recover Medicaid overpayments, except as otherwise required. The joint report shall include a final reconciled and unduplicated accounting of identified, ordered, collected and outstanding Medicaid recoveries from all sources. No personally identifying information related to any Medicaid claim or payment shall be included in the joint report. Nothing in this section shall require the Department of Social Services, the office of the Chief State's Attorney or the office of the Attorney General to report information that is protected from disclosure under state or federal law or by court rule.

(b) The Department of Social Services shall provide information, including, but not limited to:

(1) Data related to Medicaid audits conducted by the department, including: (A) The number of such audits completed by provider type; (B) the amount of overpayments identified due to such audits; (C) the amount of avoided costs identified due to such audits; (D) the amount of overpayments recovered due to such audits; and (E) the number of such audits resulting in referral to the office of the Chief State's Attorney;

(2) Data related to Medicaid program integrity investigations conducted by the department, including: (A) The number of complaints received by source type and reason; (B) the number of investigations opened by source type and provider type; (C) the number of investigations completed, with outcomes for each investigation by source type and provider type; (D) the amount of overpayments identified due to investigations; (E) the amount of overpayments collected due to investigations; (F) the number of investigations resulting in a referral to the office of the Chief State's Attorney; (G) for each closed investigation, the length of time elapsed between case opening and closing by time ranges, from between (i) less than one month to six months, (ii) seven months to twelve months, (iii) thirteen months to twenty-four months, or (iv) twenty-five or more months; (H) for each investigation resulting in a referral to another agency, the length of time elapsed between case opening and referral for the time ranges described in subparagraph (G) of this subdivision; (I) the number of investigations resulting in suspension of Medicaid payments by provider type; and (J) the number of investigations resulting in suspension of provider enrollment from the Medicaid program by provider type; and

(3) The amount of overpayments collected by recovery contractors by type of contractor.

(c) The Chief State's Attorney shall provide Medicaid information including, but not limited to: (1) The number of investigations opened by source type; (2) the general nature of the allegations by provider type; (3) for each closed case, the length of time elapsed between case opening and closing by the time ranges described in subparagraph (G) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section; (4) the final disposition category of closed cases by provider type; (5) the monetary recovery sought and realized by action, including (A) criminal charges, (B) settlements, and (C) judgments; and (6) the number of referrals declined and reason.

(d) The Attorney General shall provide Medicaid information including, but not limited to: (1) The number of investigations opened by source type; (2) the general nature of the allegations by provider type; (3) for each closed case, the length of time elapsed between case opening and closing by the time ranges described in subparagraph (G) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section; (4) the final disposition category of closed cases by provider type; (5) the monetary recovery sought and realized by action, including (A) civil monetary penalties, (B) settlements, and (C) judgments; and (6) the number of referrals declined and reason.

(e) The joint report shall include third-party liability recovery information for the previous three-year period by fiscal year, including, but not limited to: (1) The total number of claims selected for billing by commercial health insurance and Medicare; (2) the total amount billed for such claims; (3) the number of claims where recovery occurred; (4) the actual amount collected; (5) an explanation of any claim denials by category; (6) the number of files updated with third-party insurance information; and (7) the estimated cost avoidance in the future related to updated files.

(f) The joint report shall include: (1) Detailed and unit specific performance standards, benchmarks and metrics; (2) projected cost savings for the following fiscal year; and (3) new initiatives taken to prevent and detect overpayments.

(g) The Commissioner of Social Services, in coordination with the Chief State's Attorney and the Attorney General, shall submit the joint report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies. Each agency shall also post the joint report on the agency's Internet web site.

(P.A. 13-293, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 13-293 effective July 12, 2013.

Sec. 17b-99c. Audit protocols and procedures. Reports by commissioner. Not later than February 15, 2015, the Commissioner of Social Services shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services on the audit protocols and procedures established pursuant to section 17b-99 and progress concerning the audit protocols and procedures to be established pursuant to section 17b-99a. Not later than February 15, 2016, the commissioner shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services on the implementation of the audit protocols and procedures established pursuant to sections 17b-99 and 17b-99a.

(P.A. 14-162, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 14-162 effective July 1, 2014.

Sec. 17b-100. (Formerly Sec. 17-83l). Fraudulent conveyance for purpose of obtaining assistance. Civil action by commissioner. It shall constitute a fraudulent conveyance as against the state for any person to assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of property for less than fair market value, for the purpose of qualifying for public assistance or state-administered general assistance to a transferee either having knowledge of such purpose, or having knowledge that such conveyance leaves the transferor without sufficient means to support himself on a reasonable standard of health and decency. The Commissioner of Social Services, may institute a civil action (1) to set aside any such conveyance and to recover from the proceeds of such property the cost of any assistance provided to the transferor, or (2) to recover from the proceeds of such conveyance the cost of any assistance provided to the transferor. The commissioner may require that any remaining proceeds be applied to such transferor's future support. The commissioner's total recovery under this section shall not exceed the amount by which the fair market value of such property exceeds the consideration exchanged therefor by the transferee. Such civil action shall be brought in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford or in any other venue otherwise appropriate. In any such action brought to set aside a conveyance or to recover the proceeds of a conveyance, made within twenty-four months before the date of such application for assistance directly or indirectly to a transferee who is a parent, grandparent, descendant or spouse of the transferor, the transferee shall bear the burden of proving that the conveyance was not fraudulent.

(P.A. 80-469, S. 3; P.A. 81-214, S. 7; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-220, S. 4–6; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 46, 165.)

History: P.A. 81-214 added the word “market” in the description of the value of property transferred, deleted definition of “fair value” as consideration such as would be given “in an arm's-length transaction” and decreased the time period effecting the burden of proof in civil actions involving transfers to relatives from 3 years to 24 months; P.A. 88-230 replaced “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain” with “judicial district of Hartford”, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-83l transferred to Sec. 17b-100 in 1995; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997.

See Sec. 17b-600 re eligibility for assistance for the aged, blind or totally disabled.

Annotation to former section 17-83l:

Cited. 208 C. 606.

Sec. 17b-101. (Formerly Sec. 17-83m). State's right of subrogation to right of applicant or recipient of assistance re transfer of property. Civil action by commissioner. In the event that any person applying for or receiving public assistance or state-administered general assistance has any right to rescind, revoke, avoid or otherwise set aside any assignment, transfer or other disposition of property, the state shall be subrogated to such right. The Commissioner of Social Services may bring such civil actions and pursue such other remedies as would have been available to such recipient to enforce such right, for the purposes described in section 17b-100, whether or not such disposition constituted a fraudulent conveyance within the meaning of said section 17b-100.

(P.A. 80-469, S. 4; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 47, 165.)

Annotations to former section 17-83m:

Cited. 208 C. 606; 211 C. 323.

Sec. 17b-102. (Formerly Sec. 17-83n). Regulations providing a financial incentive for reporting vendor fraud. The Commissioner of Social Services shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, on or before September 1, 1996, to provide a financial incentive for the reporting of vendor fraud in any program under the jurisdiction of the Department of Social Services by offering a person up to fifteen per cent of any amounts recovered by the state as a result of such person's report.

(P.A. 83-348, S. 2, 3; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 96-169, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-83n transferred to Sec. 17b-102 in 1995; P.A. 96-169 required the commissioner to adopt regulations “on or before September 1, 1996”, and expanded the provision of a financial incentive for the reporting of vendor fraud from the medical assistance program to any program under the jurisdiction of the Department of Social Services.

Sec. 17b-103. (Formerly Sec. 17-83p). Refunds by vendors to persons eligible for medical assistance. Penalty. (a) Any payment made by or on behalf of an individual who is subsequently found eligible for the Title XIX Medicaid program shall be refunded to the payor (1) to the extent that eligibility under the program overlaps the period for which payment was made, and (2) goods and services for which payment was made are covered by Medicaid. Any vendor who is a provider of goods or services in the medical assistance program shall, upon receiving notice of an individual's eligibility for the Title XIX Medicaid program, refund any such sums received or accepted. The Department of Social Services shall reimburse the vendor at the state rate of payment.

(b) Any vendor who wilfully refuses to refund payments under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalties for violation of subsection (a) of section 17b-99.

(P.A. 87-379; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)

Sec. 17b-104. (Formerly Sec. 17-2). State supplementation to the Supplemental Security Income Program. Temporary family assistance program standard of need, payment standards. State-administered general assistance program annual payment standard increase. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall administer the program of state supplementation to the Supplemental Security Income Program provided for by the Social Security Act and state law. The commissioner may delegate any powers and authority to any deputy, assistant, investigator or supervisor, who shall have, within the scope of the power and authority so delegated, all of the power and authority of the Commissioner of Social Services. The standard of need for the temporary family assistance program shall be fifty-five per cent of the federal poverty level. The commissioner shall make a reinvestigation, at least every twelve months, of all cases receiving aid from the state, except that such reinvestigation may be conducted every twenty-four months for recipients of assistance to the elderly or disabled with stable circumstances, and shall maintain all case records of the several programs administered by the Department of Social Services so that such records show, at all times, full information with respect to eligibility of the applicant or recipient. In the determination of need under any public assistance program, such income or earnings shall be disregarded as federal law requires, and such income or earnings may be disregarded as federal law permits. In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall disregard from income (1) Aid and Attendance pension benefits granted to a veteran, as defined under section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, and (2) any tax refund or advance payment with respect to a refundable credit to the same extent such refund or advance payment would be disregarded under 26 USC 6409 in any federal program or state or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds. The commissioner shall encourage and promulgate such incentive earning programs as are permitted by federal law and regulations.

(b) On July 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall increase the payment standards over those of the previous fiscal year under the state-administered general assistance program by the percentage increase, if any, in the most recent calendar year average in the consumer price index for urban consumers over the average for the previous calendar year, provided the annual increase, if any, shall not exceed five per cent, except that the payment standards for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, June 30, 2013, June 30, 2016, June 30, 2017, June 30, 2018, June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021, shall not be increased.

(c) On and after July 1, 2022, the payment standards for families receiving assistance under the temporary family assistance program shall be equal to seventy-three per cent of the standards of need established for said program under subsection (a) of this section.

(d) For a family living in subsidized housing, income shall be attributed to such family which shall be eight per cent of the payment standard for such family.

(1949 Rev., S. 2614; 1953, 1955, S. 1448d; 1961, P.A. 316; February, 1965, P.A. 344, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 314, S. 2; 562; 744, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 730, S. 9; 1971, P.A. 642, S. 1; P.A. 74-244; S.A. 74-31, S. 16, 22; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; 75-547; P.A. 76-269, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-591, S. 1, 3; 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 78-192, S. 3, 7; P.A. 80-385, S. 1, 3; P.A. 81-449, S. 1, 11; P.A. 82-91, S. 6, 38; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-8, S. 1, 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-34, S. 5, 8; P.A. 84-470, S. 1, 4; P.A. 85-367, S. 2, 5; 85-505, S. 17, 21; P.A. 88-156, S. 7; 88-201, S. 1, 3; 88-317, S. 67, 107; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 1, 63; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 1, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 1, 41; P.A. 95-194, S. 2, 33; 95-351, S. 11, 30; P.A. 96-128; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 48, 165; P.A. 99-279, S. 6, 45; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 55, 58, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 03-19, S. 38; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 60; P.A. 04-76, S. 11; P.A. 05-280, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 2; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5, S. 36; P.A. 11-44, S. 77; P.A. 12-208, S. 9; P.A. 14-161, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 375; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 40; P.A. 19-117, S. 291; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 328; P.A. 22-118, S. 236.)

History: 1961 act gave commissioner power to make regulations; 1965 act provided income and earnings be disregarded as federal law requires; 1967 acts allowed disregard of income or earnings “as federal law permits”, required encouragement of incentive earning programs, gave to a cost of living commission the determination of standards of assistance and deleted duty to collect support from relatives; 1969 act rewrote regulation-making power provision and required issuance of regulations on or before January 1, 1970, required semiannual redetermination and revision of assistance standards and added proviso re aid to dependent children; 1971 act replaced semiannual redetermination with periodic redetermination of standards of need rather than assistance, required standards to meet federal requirements rather than to carry out state policy and deleted proviso re aid to dependent children; P.A. 74-244 replaced periodic redetermination with annual redetermination, required standards to reflect changes in living costs using Consumer Price Index and required report to general assembly; S.A. 74-31 added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re aid to dependent children, deleted reference to state paupers in previous provisions, now Subsec. (a), replaced chapter 48 reference with chapter 54, added proviso re aid to dependent children program and required standards to fulfill state as well as federal law; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 75-547 clarified provision re amount of grant in Subsec. (c); P.A. 76-269 replaced former provisions of Subsec. (c) re shelter component of assistance and deleted proviso in Subsec. (a) which had referred to previous Subsec. (c); P.A. 77-591 deleted exception re shelter component in Subsec. (b) and changed applicable year from 1975 to 1978; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-192 rephrased Subsec. (b) making increase applicable to standard of need rather than payment level, including family cases under general assistance program and changing applicable year to 1979; P.A. 80-385 changed rate of increase from 10% to 7% for year 1980 in Subsec. (b) and added proviso re “disregards”; P.A. 81-449 amended Subsec. (b) to increase the standard of need by 5% over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1981, replacing previous 7% increase; P.A. 82-91 amended Subsec. (b) to increase the standard of need by 3% over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1982, replacing previous year's reference to 5% increase in standard of need over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1981; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-8 amended Subsec. (b) to change the date from “June 30, 1982” to “June 30, 1983”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-34 amended Subsec. (b) to add reference to state program established pursuant to Sec. 17-83o; P.A. 84-470 amended Subsec. (b) to provide for an increase in the standard of need on July 1, 1984, based on the increase in the “most recent calendar year average to average consumer price index for urban consumers for the U.S. city average over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984”; P.A. 85-367 entirely replaced Subsec. (b) re increase in standard of need for fiscal year 1984-1985 with new provisions applicable to increase for fiscal year 1985-1986; P.A. 85-505 replaced prior provisions of Subsec. (b) re increase in standard of need with new provisions re increases for 1986, 1987 and 1988 and provided for the first time a cap on increases; P.A. 88-156 deleted obsolete language in Subsec. (a), deleted Subsec. (c) re payment of shelter component to recipients of aid to dependent children program, and specified the current programs the commissioner is required to administer; P.A. 88-201 authorized the annual increase of the standard of need in Subsec. (b); P.A. 88-317 amended Subsec. (c) to update reference to Secs. 4-166 to 4-176 to include new section added to Ch. 54, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date, but failed to take effect, Subsec. (c) having been deleted by P.A. 88-156; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 amended Subsec. (b) to delete language re increase in standard of need for fiscal year 1985-1986 to remove the needy student provision and to place a cap on the annual increase for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 amended Subsec. (b) by eliminating the increase in the standard of need for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-418 in Subsec. (a) required the commissioner to establish payment standards for the AFDC and general assistance programs, replacing provisions requiring annual computation of standards of need based on federal Regional Consumer Price Index, in Subsec. (b) changed the words “standard of need” to “payment standards”, added provision requiring that payment standards not be increased until after the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, and required that the payment standards in effect on January 1, 1994, be equal to the standards of need in effect July 1, 1993, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-2 transferred to Sec. 17b-104 in 1995; P.A. 95-194 amended Subsec. (b) by adding the fiscal years ending June 30, 1996, and June 30, 1997, to the list of years in which payment standards shall not be increased, added Subsec. (c) lowering the payment standard on and after July 1, 1995, added Subsec. (d) providing that families in subsidized housing be required to count the value of such housing as income in determining the benefit payment, effective June 29, 1995; P.A. 95-351 amended Subsec. (c) by requiring payment standards apply to recipients of general assistance, amended Subsec. (d) by requiring that effective January 1, 1996, families subject to time limited benefits pursuant to Sec. 17b-112(b) and living in subsidized housing have their benefit payment reduced by 8% of the payment standard, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-128 amended Subsec. (a) to allow for reinvestigations of elderly or disabled recipients of assistance with stable circumstances every 24 months; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 amended Subsec. (b) by adding the fiscal years ending June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, to the list of years in which payment standards shall not be increased, replaced Subsec. (d) with a provision requiring a family living in subsidized housing to have income attributed to it at a rate of 8% of the standard of need if such family is subject to fill the gap budgeting and 8% of the payment standard for families not subject to such budgeting and added a definition of fill the gap budgeting and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-279 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes and Subsec. (b) to require the commissioner to increase payment standards under the aid to families with dependent children program and to provide that the payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2000, and June 30, 2001, effective July 1, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that the payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003, and amended Subsec. (d) to provide that for a family living in subsidized housing, income shall be attributed to such family which shall be 8% of the payment standard for such family, deleting provisions re “fill the gap budgeting”, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; P.A. 03-19 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective May 12, 2003; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsecs. (a) to (c), inclusive, by deleting references to “general assistance program” and making conforming changes; P.A. 05-280 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending on June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, effective July 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “On and after January 1, 1994,” and amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “1988” with “2007”, deleting “aid to families with dependent children program” and deleting specified fiscal years when the payment standard was not increased, effective July 1, 2007; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re payment standards for fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2011, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re payment standards for fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-208 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re income disregard for veterans' Aid and Attendance pension benefits, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 14-161 amended Subsec. (c) to delete reference to state-administered general assistance program, effective July 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b) to add “June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017,”, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019,”, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (b) to add “June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021,” and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2019; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (2) re disregard of certain tax refunds or advance payments and designating existing provision re disregard of Aid and Attendance Pension benefits granted to veterans as Subdiv. (1), effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-118 amended Subsec. (a) by changing standard of need for temporary family assistance program from standard based on cost of living to standard based on 55 per cent of the federal poverty level and deleting requirement commissioner establish standard of need for state-administered general assistance program, amended Subsec. (b) by eliminating annual payment standard increase for temporary family assistance program and amended Subsec. (c) by replacing “July 1, 1995” with “July 1, 2022” and changing temporary family assistance payment standard from 73 per cent of AFDC standard to 73 per cent of standard of need in Subsec. (a) and making technical changes, effective July 1, 2022.

See Sec. 4-67c re establishment of uniform fee schedule applicable to practitioners of the healing arts and allied professions and callings under chapters 370 to 383 and vendors of sickroom supplies, etc.

See Sec. 4a-16 re disposition of estates of public assistance beneficiaries or state institution patients.

See Sec. 17b-198 re standards for granting of general assistance and medical assistance.

See Sec. 47-65 re assistance to Indians living on reservations.

Annotations to former section 17-2:

Cited. 170 C. 258; 177 C. 344; 214 C. 256; 222 C. 69.

Cited. 6 CA 47.

Cited. 34 CS 586.

Regulation of commissioner implementing requirements of Sec. 17-109(e), providing eligibility could be found if “fair value or reasonable consideration” was received in disposition of property, did not exceed his authority. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 273. Client appealing fair hearing under aid to dependent children program has no right to inquire whether commissioner has fairly complied with his duties hereunder. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 291. Gives commissioner authority to make regulations to administer programs and fulfill his responsibilities. 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 354.

Sec. 17b-105. (Formerly Sec. 17-2d). Authority to furnish transportation out of state for recipients of aid. The Department of Social Services may furnish any person who is cared for at the expense of the state or any town with transportation to any other state or country if such person has in such other state or country legally responsible relatives who are able, or friends who are willing, to aid in his support, or if he has any other private means of support in such other state or country, provided the Commissioner of Social Services determines that the interest of the state and the welfare of such person will be promoted thereby.

(1963, P.A. 501, S. 3; February, 1965, P.A. 564, Subs. (b); P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)

History: 1965 act made no change in this section; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare department and commissioner with department and commissioner of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced social services department and commissioner with department and commissioner of income maintenance, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-2d transferred to Sec. 17b-105 in 1995.

Sec. 17b-105a. Supplemental nutrition assistance program. Authority of commissioner to seek waiver and implement federal options. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall seek a waiver from federal law to allow persons who live in an area in which (1) the unemployment rate is greater than ten per cent, or (2) there is an insufficient number of jobs to provide such persons with employment, to be exempt from the three-month participation limit of the supplemental nutrition assistance program implemented pursuant to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement vehicle evaluation provisions in accordance with 7 CFR 273.8(f)(4).

(c) The Commissioner of Social Services, pursuant to 7 USC 2014(e)(6), shall implement the federal option to mandate the use of a standard utility allowance, to be used in place of actual utility costs, for purposes of calculating the excess shelter deduction of applicants for, or recipients of, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits. Pursuant to 7 USC 2014(e)(6)(C)(iii)(III), the commissioner shall not prorate a standard utility allowance based upon the fact that an assisted household shares the utility with an individual who is not a member of the assisted household.

(P.A. 97-194, S. 1, 2; P.A. 02-37, S. 1; P.A. 03-36, S. 1; P.A. 05-141, S. 2; P.A. 07-63, S. 1; P.A. 09-9, S. 18.)

History: P.A. 97-194 effective June 26, 1997; P.A. 02-37 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and made a technical change therein and added Subsec. (b) requiring commissioner to implement federal option allowing applicants and recipients of food stamps to retain a car valued up to the limit established under the temporary family assistance program, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 03-36 added new Subsec. (c) re implementation of standard utility allowance by commissioner; P.A. 05-141 amended Subsec. (c) to replace “7 CFR 273.9” with “7 USC 2014(e)(6)” and to prohibit commissioner from prorating standard utility allowance when assisted household shares utility with an individual who is not a member of the assisted household, effective June 24, 2005; P.A. 07-63 amended Subsec. (b) by substituting “vehicle evaluation provisions in accordance with 7 CFR 273.8(f)(4)” for former provision that permitted commissioner to implement federal option to allow food stamp applicants or recipients to retain a car valued up to limit established under temporary family assistance program, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 09-9 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance” and replacing “Food Stamp Act of 1977” with “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008” and amended Subsec. (c) by replacing “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

See Sec. 17b-112 re temporary family assistance program.

Sec. 17b-105b. Supplemental nutrition assistance benefit extensions. The Department of Social Services shall be required to pursue the maximum supplemental nutrition assistance benefit extensions permitted by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 7, Part 273, Section 273.12, for those households leaving the temporary assistance for needy families program.

(P.A. 02-37, S. 2; P.A. 05-288, S. 69; P.A. 09-9, S. 19.)

History: P.A. 05-288 made a technical change, effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

See Sec 17b-112 re temporary family assistance program.

Sec. 17b-105c. Supplemental nutrition assistance program. Authority of commissioner to implement policy. The Commissioner of Social Services, in accordance with federal law, may implement policy to simplify program administration and increase payment accuracy in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, while in the process of adopting such policy as regulation, provided notice of such policy is published in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementation.

(June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 75; P.A. 09-9, S. 20.)

History: June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-105d. Supplemental nutrition assistance program. Outreach. Work-study programs. (a) The Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the member agencies of the Child Poverty and Prevention Council, may work with local governments, institutions of higher education, community action agencies and other entities to continue and expand efforts, within available appropriations, to enroll eligible individuals in the supplemental nutrition assistance program and to enroll eligible supplemental nutrition assistance participants in education, employment and training activities.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services, within available appropriations, shall incorporate into existing efforts coordinated outreach to increase awareness and utilization of the supplemental nutrition assistance program by eligible individuals, including, but not limited to, recipients of home-delivered and congregate meals and recipients of public assistance.

(c) For the purpose of determining eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program pursuant to the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended from time to time, the Department of Social Services, to the extent permitted under federal law, shall consider any student enrolled in an institution of higher education in the state to be participating in a state or federally financed work-study program if such student receives approval of work-study as part of a financial aid package to attend such institution of higher education, regardless of whether such student has received his or her work-study program assignment.

(P.A. 08-161, S. 6; P.A. 09-9, S. 37; P.A. 13-250, S. 1; P.A. 22-101, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 13-250 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re outreach to increase awareness and use of supplemental nutrition assistance program, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 22-101 added Subsec. (c) re eligibility through participation in a work-study program, effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 17b-105e. Definitions. As used in sections 17b-105e to 17b-105i, inclusive:

(1) “Poverty reduction strategies” means a coordinated set of actions which may include, but is not limited to, job search and work experience; education and training, including adult basic education, high school equivalency preparation, adult literacy classes, vocational training and post-secondary education; payment of tuition; case management; related services that improve employability; income safety net services; quality child care during work and job training; family support; and reentry programs, that are based on best practices and aimed at reducing poverty or the risk of poverty for individuals and families (A) who are living in census tracts with high poverty rates, (B) whose incomes are at or below two hundred per cent of the federal poverty level, and (C) who are in one or more of the following target populations: (i) Adolescent parents, (ii) older adolescents and young adults, or (iii) low-income working families; and

(2) “Supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training community collaborative” means a consortium of public and private providers, established pursuant to section 17b-105g, to implement poverty reduction strategies.

(P.A. 08-161, S. 1; P.A. 09-9, S. 32.)

History: P.A. 09-9 amended Subdiv. (2) by replacing “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-105f. Supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training program. (a) The Department of Social Services shall administer a supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training program, authorized under the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended from time to time, to provide employment and training activities, support services and other programs and services for recipients of the supplemental nutrition assistance program. The program shall provide for the receipt of federal matching funds to the state from the United States Department of Agriculture for funds expended on behalf of supplemental nutrition assistance recipients by state agencies, local governments, nonprofit entities, institutions of higher education and other eligible supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training providers for employment and training activities that qualify for such matching funds under federal law and regulations. The department shall seek to maximize the use of the federal matching funds provision under the program to the fullest extent permitted by federal law.

(b) Federal grants received under the program shall be used in accordance with federal law and regulations to fund supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training activities.

(c) The department shall select providers whose employment and training activities qualify for reimbursement under federal law and regulations to participate in the federal matching funds provision of the supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training program. Providers shall be selected in a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Social Services. In selecting providers, the department shall give priority to providers who are members of a supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training community collaborative and whose strategies are aligned with the recommendations of the Child Poverty and Prevention Council and its plan to reduce child poverty developed pursuant to section 4-67x.

(d) The department shall distribute to providers pursuant to subsection (c) of this section federal matching funds in accordance with section 17b-105h. Such funds shall be used for poverty reduction strategies.

(e) (1) Not later than July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall consult with the Department of Social Services for the purpose of identifying any educational program offered at an institution of higher education governed by said boards that qualifies as an employment and training program that increases a student's employability and complies with the requirements for an exemption, as specified in 7 CFR 273.5(b)(11), as amended from time to time, from the supplemental nutrition assistance program eligibility rule in 7 CFR 273.5(a), as amended from time to time. In identifying such educational programs, the department and said boards shall seek to maximize the number and types of employment and training programs offered at the institution of higher education governed by said boards.

(2) Any independent institution of higher education in the state may, in such institution's discretion, consult with the Department of Social Services for the purposes set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(f) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Department of Social Services, the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut shall each post, and regularly update, on their Internet web site, the list of educational programs offered at each institution of higher education governed by said boards that has been identified as an employment and training program pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of this section.

(P.A. 08-161, S. 2; P.A. 09-9, S. 33; P.A. 22-101, S. 5.)

History: P.A. 09-9 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance” and replacing “Food Stamp Act of 1977” with “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008”, and amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) by replacing “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 22-101 added Subsec. (e) re identification of employment and training programs and Subsec. (f) re posting a list of employment and training programs, effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 17b-105g. Selection of supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training community collaboratives to receive federal matching funds. Establishment and composition of collaborative. Use of funds. (a) The Department of Social Services shall select among qualified supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training community collaboratives to receive federal matching funds in accordance with section 17b-105h. To be considered for receipt of such funds, each collaborative shall demonstrate its capacity to implement poverty reduction strategies to the department in such form and in such manner as the Commissioner of Social Services prescribes. Each collaborative shall identify (1) its priorities for reducing child poverty in such municipality or region, (2) how funds that are received by the collaborative will be utilized, (3) community partners and resources utilized to support poverty reduction strategies, and (4) its capacity to collect relevant data and measure outcomes.

(b) Each supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training community collaborative shall establish a governance structure, determine membership and identify or establish a fiscal agent. A collaborative shall consist of at least five member entities representing institutions of higher education, regional workforce development boards, social services nonprofit agencies, business associations, philanthropic organizations, municipalities, community action agencies or other community partners. A majority of the membership of each collaborative shall be supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training providers.

(c) Funds provided to a supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training community collaborative shall be used to implement poverty reduction strategies in a municipality or region. Such strategies shall be aligned with the recommendations of the Child Poverty and Prevention Council and its plan to reduce child poverty developed pursuant to section 4-67x.

(P.A. 08-161, S. 3; P.A. 09-9, S. 34.)

History: P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance” throughout, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-105h. Use and distribution of supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training federal matching funds. (a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, the Department of Social Services may use such funds from the federal matching funds received by the state pursuant to section 17b-105f as are needed for operating expenses and to employ one staff position for purposes directly related to the administration of the matching funds provision for the supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training program, and for any fiscal year thereafter may use such funds as are necessary to operate and administer said program.

(b) The remaining federal matching funds received by the state pursuant to section 17b-105f shall be used for poverty reduction strategies and distributed in the following manner: Seventy-five per cent of such remaining funds shall be provided to supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training providers whose expenditures generated the federal matching funds on a pro-rata basis, pursuant to section 17b-105f; and twenty-five per cent of such remaining funds shall be provided to supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training community collaboratives selected pursuant to section 17b-105g for implementation of poverty reduction strategies.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any regional community-technical college that participated in the food stamp employment and training program pursuant to a memorandum of agreement entered into between the college and the Department of Social Services prior to October 1, 2008, during the term of such agreement. Such colleges shall retain the amount of federal matching funds provided for in the memorandum of agreement for the term of such agreement. Following the expiration of such agreement, the terms of this section shall apply.

(P.A. 08-161, S. 4; P.A. 09-9, S. 35; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5, S. 59; P.A. 10-32, S. 63.)

History: P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance” throughout, effective May 4, 2009; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5 added Subsec. (c) exempting regional community-technical colleges that participated in the program under an agreement with department prior to October 1, 2008, until the expiration of agreement, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective May 10, 2010.

Sec. 17b-105i. Report re supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training federal matching funds. On or before January 15, 2009, and annually thereafter from January 15, 2010, to January 15, 2014, inclusive, the Commissioner of Social Services shall report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations, and to the Child Poverty and Prevention Council on the amount of federal matching funds received by the state pursuant to section 17b-105f, the amount used by the Department of Social Services for operating and administrative expenses, the amounts distributed to providers and supplemental nutrition assistance employment and training community collaboratives pursuant to section 17b-105h, the use of such federal matching funds, including the population served, and the programs' outcomes using a results-based accountability framework.

(P.A. 08-161, S. 5; P.A. 09-9, S. 36.)

History: P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-106. (Formerly Sec. 17-12f). State supplement to Supplemental Security Income Program. Adult payment standards. State supplement payments for certain residents in long-term care facilities. (a) On July 1, 1989, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall increase the adult payment standards over those of the previous fiscal year for the state supplement to the federal Supplemental Security Income Program by the percentage increase, if any, in the most recent calendar year average in the consumer price index for urban consumers over the average for the previous calendar year, provided the annual increase, if any, shall not exceed five per cent, except that the adult payment standards for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1993, June 30, 1994, June 30, 1995, June 30, 1996, June 30, 1997, June 30, 1998, June 30, 1999, June 30, 2000, June 30, 2001, June 30, 2002, June 30, 2003, June 30, 2004, June 30, 2005, June 30, 2006, June 30, 2007, June 30, 2008, June 30, 2009, June 30, 2010, June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, June 30, 2013, June 30, 2016, June 30, 2017, June 30, 2018, June 30, 2019, June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021, shall not be increased. Effective October 1, 1991, the coverage of excess utility costs for recipients of the state supplement to the federal Supplemental Security Income Program is eliminated. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commissioner may increase the personal needs allowance component of the adult payment standard as necessary to meet federal maintenance of effort requirements.

(b) The commissioner shall provide a state supplement payment for recipients of Medicaid and the federal Supplemental Security Income Program who reside in long-term care facilities sufficient to increase their personal needs allowance to seventy-five dollars per month. Such state supplement payment shall be made to the long-term care facility to be deposited into the personal fund account of each such recipient. For the purposes of this subsection, “long-term care facility” means a licensed chronic and convalescent nursing home, a chronic disease hospital, a rest home with nursing supervision, an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities or a state humane institution.

(P.A. 78-192, S. 1, 2, 7; P.A. 80-385, S. 2, 3; P.A. 81-449, S. 2, 5, 11; P.A. 82-91, S. 7, 38; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-8, S. 2, 3; P.A. 84-470, S. 2, 4; P.A. 85-367, S. 3, 5; 85-505, S. 18, 21; P.A. 89-296, S. 5, 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 2, 63; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 3, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 4, 41; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 32, 53; July 13 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 3, 9; P.A. 95-351, S. 13, 30; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 49, 165; P.A. 98-239, S. 4, 35; P.A. 99-279, S. 7, 45; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 56, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 61; P.A. 05-243, S. 1; 05-280, S. 38; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 3; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5, S. 37; P.A. 11-44, S. 78; P.A. 13-139, S. 4; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 376; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 569; P.A. 19-117, S. 292; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 317.)

History: P.A. 80-385 reduced rate of increase from 10% to 7% for fiscal year ending June 30, 1980, and added proviso re disregards; P.A. 81-449 increased the payment standards by 5% over the standards for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1981, replacing previous 7% increase and deleted reference to the Connecticut Assistance and Medical Aid Program for the Disabled; P.A. 82-91 amended section to increase the payment standards by 3% over the standards for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1982, replacing previous year's reference to 5% increase in payment standards over the standards for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1981; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-8 changed the date from “June 30, 1982” to “June 30, 1983”; P.A. 84-470 provided for an increase in the adult payment standards on July 1, 1984, based on the percentage increase in the “most recent calendar year average to average consumer price index for urban consumers for the U.S. city average over the standard for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984”; P.A. 85-367 replaced previous provisions re increase in adult payment standards for fiscal year 1984-1985 with new provisions applicable to fiscal year 1985-1986; P.A. 85-505 replaced prior provisions re increase in adult payment standards with new provisions for increases in 1986, 1987 and 1988 and for the first time imposed a cap on increases; P.A. 89-296 deleted obsolete date references; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 required a reduction in the unearned income disregard for recipients of the state supplement to the federal supplemental security income, placed a hold on the adult payment standards for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992, held the general assistance maximum shelter payment levels to the federal maximums, except that for the payments already being made reductions are to be suspended for six months, eliminated the provision for excess utility costs for recipients of state supplement and redefined “single room occupancy”; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 changed the amount by which the commissioner shall reduce the unearned income disregard to up to 9.5%, eliminated the increase in the standard of need for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, and deleted provisions re maximum payment levels for shelter and consideration of single room occupancies under the general assistance program; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-418 eliminated the increase in the adult payment standard for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1994, and June 30, 1995, effective July 1, 1993; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 deleted provision directing commissioner to reduce unearned income disregard by up to 9.5%, effective July 1, 1992, and substituted provision directing commissioner to reduce disregard by 7%, effective July 1, 1994; July 13 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 added provision directing commissioner to increase unearned income disregard to a level not exceeding that in effect on July 30, 1994, if sufficient funds are available within department and are transferred to appropriate accounts, effective July 15, 1994; Sec. 17-12f transferred to Sec. 17b-106 in 1995; P.A. 95-351 provided that the adult payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 1996, and June 30, 1997, effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 provided the adult payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 1998, and June 30, 1999, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-239 divided the Sec. into two Subsecs., inserting new provisions as Subsec. (b), requiring the Commissioner of Social Services to provide a state supplement payment for recipients of Medicaid and the federal supplemental security income program who reside in long-term care facilities sufficient to increase their personal needs allowance to $50 per month, specifying where such payment shall be deposited, providing for an increase in such allowance effective July 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, and defining “long-term care facility”, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 99-279 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the adult payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2000, and June 30, 2001, effective July 1, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the adult payment standards shall not increase in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005, and to add provision authorizing commissioner to increase the personal needs allowance component of the adult payment standard as needed to meet federal maintenance of effort requirements, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 05-243 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re 1985 payment standards, deleting 1994 provision that required commissioner to reduce the appropriate unearned income disregard for program recipients by 7% and adding provision requiring commissioner to increase the unearned income disregard for program recipients by an amount equal to the federal cost-of-living adjustment, if any, provided to recipients of federal Supplemental Security Income Program benefits for the corresponding calendar year, and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 8, 2005; P.A. 05-280 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, effective July 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2009, effective July 1, 2007; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, and June 30, 2011, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that adult payment standards shall not be increased for fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013, and amended Subsec. (b) by changing date from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 2011, increasing personal needs allowance from $50 to $60 per month and deleting provision re annual allowance increase, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-139 amended Subsec. (b) by substituting “individuals with intellectual disabilities” for “the mentally retarded”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) to add “June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017,”, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re increase in unearned income disregard by amount equal to cost-of-living adjustment, adding “June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019,” and making a technical change, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (a) to add “June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021,” and make a technical change effective July 1, 2019; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing personal needs allowance from $60 to $75, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 17b-106a. Adult payment standards for state supplement to Supplemental Security Income program. Personal needs allowance. Increase. Section 17b-106a is repealed, effective February 28, 2003.

(May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 55; P.A. 03-2, S. 57.)

Sec. 17b-107. (Formerly Sec. 17-12g). Emergency assistance program: Administration, eligibility, regulations. Section 17b-107 is repealed, effective April 29, 2008.

(P.A. 78-192, S. 5–7; P.A. 79-524; P.A. 88-127; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 5, 41; P.A. 95-348, S. 1, 2; P.A. 08-29, S. 4.)

Sec. 17b-108. (Formerly Sec. 17-12k). Cross-matching of recipients' records. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall conduct annual cross-matches of all or a selected group of the records of recipients of public assistance and state-administered general assistance with the records of other agencies or financial institutions in this state and in bordering states to determine whether such recipients are eligible for and are receiving correct amounts of assistance. The selection of which groups of recipients and which records to cross-match shall be based on criteria established by the commissioner. Financial institutions shall furnish such information as the commissioner determines is necessary to conduct a feasible cross-match pursuant to this section and shall respond to requests for information and cross-matching data within forty-five days of the request by the commissioner.

(b) Financial institutions shall not discriminate against recipients selected for cross-matching pursuant to this section.

(P.A. 83-354, S. 3, 4; P.A. 85-505, S. 8, 21; P.A. 92-13; P.A. 95-194, S. 20, 33; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 50, 165.)

History: P.A. 85-505 specified that cross-match be conducted at least annually, authorized use of identifying information of depositors other than social security numbers and added provisions re criteria for selection of groups to cross-match and re information furnished by financial institutions and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) prohibiting discrimination by institutions against persons selected for cross-matching and requiring semiannual reports by income maintenance commissioner; P.A. 92-13 amended Subsec. (a) to remove the requirement that regulations be adopted and deleted Subsec. (c) re reporting requirements; Sec. 17-12k transferred to Sec. 17b-108 in 1995; P.A. 95-194 amended Subsec. (a) by requiring the commissioner to conduct cross-matches annually in this state and in bordering states and made a technical change, effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997.

Sec. 17b-109. (Formerly Sec. 17-12m). Photo identification cards. The Commissioner of Social Services may provide photo identification cards to recipients of assistance under the temporary family assistance program and to heads of households and their authorized representatives in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. The commissioner may contract with public or private organizations for the provision of such cards.

(P.A. 85-505, S. 10, 21; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 51, 165; P.A. 06-114, S. 1; P.A. 09-9, S. 21.)

History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-12m transferred to Sec. 17b-109 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced a reference to aid to families with dependent children with temporary family assistance and deleted the July 1, 1986 deadline date by which the photo identification cards were to be distributed, thereby extending the program, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 06-114 made issuance of photo identification cards discretionary rather than mandatory, deleted reference to “assistance checks” and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-110. (Formerly Sec. 17-12o). Special need payment program. Eligibility. Regulations. Section 17b-110 is repealed, effective July 1, 1995.

(P.A. 88-254, S. 1, 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 56; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-194, S. 32, 33.)

Sec. 17b-111. Transferred to Chapter 319t, Sec. 17b-190.

Sec. 17b-111a. State-wide data bank of general assistance recipients. Section 17b-111a is repealed, effective March 1, 2004.

(P.A. 95-194, S. 14, 33; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97.)

Sec. 17b-111b. Regulations re general assistance. Section 17b-111b is repealed, effective October 1, 2004.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 143, 165; P.A. 04-76, S. 59.)

Sec. 17b-112. Temporary family assistance program. (a) The Department of Social Services shall administer a temporary family assistance program under which cash assistance shall be provided to eligible families in accordance with the temporary assistance for needy families program, established pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The Commissioner of Social Services may operate portions of the temporary family assistance program as a solely state-funded program, separate from the federal temporary assistance for needy families program, if the commissioner determines that doing so will enable the state to avoid fiscal penalties under the temporary assistance for needy families program. Families receiving assistance under the solely state-funded portion of the temporary family assistance program shall be subject to the same conditions of eligibility as those receiving assistance under the federal temporary assistance for needy families program. Under the temporary family assistance program, benefits shall be provided to a family for not longer than twenty-one months, except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. For the purpose of calculating said twenty-one-month time limit, months of assistance received on and after January 1, 1996, pursuant to time limits under the aid to families with dependent children program, shall be included. For purposes of this section, “family” means one or more individuals who apply for or receive assistance together under the temporary family assistance program. If the commissioner determines that federal law allows individuals not otherwise in an eligible covered group for the temporary family assistance program to become covered, such family may also, at the discretion of the commissioner, be composed of (1) a pregnant woman, or (2) a parent, both parents or other caretaker relative and at least one child who is under the age of eighteen, or who is under the age of nineteen and a full-time student in a secondary school or its equivalent. A caretaker relative shall be related to the child or children by blood, marriage or adoption or shall be the legal guardian of such a child or pursuing legal proceedings necessary to achieve guardianship. If the commissioner elects to allow state eligibility consistent with any change in federal law, the commissioner may administratively transfer any qualifying family cases under the cash assistance portion of the state-administered general assistance program to the temporary family assistance program without regard to usual eligibility and enrollment procedures. If such families become an ineligible coverage group under the federal law, the commissioner shall administratively transfer such families back to the cash assistance portion of the state-administered general assistance program without regard to usual eligibility and enrollment procedures to the degree that such families are eligible for the state program.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall exempt a family from such time-limited benefits for circumstances including, but not limited to: (1) A family with a needy caretaker relative who is incapacitated or of an advanced age, as defined by the commissioner, if there is no other nonexempt caretaker relative in the household; (2) a family with a needy caretaker relative who is needed in the home because of the incapacity of another member of the household, if there is no other nonexempt caretaker relative in the household; (3) a family with a caretaker relative who is not legally responsible for the dependent children in the household if such relative's needs are not considered in calculating the amount of the benefit and there is no other nonexempt caretaker relative in the household; (4) a family with a caretaker relative caring for a child who is under one year of age if there is no other nonexempt caretaker relative in the household; (5) a family with a pregnant or postpartum caretaker relative if a physician has indicated that such relative is unable to work and there is no other nonexempt caretaker relative in the household; (6) a family with a caretaker relative determined by the commissioner to be unemployable and there is no other nonexempt caretaker relative in the household; and (7) minor parents attending and satisfactorily completing high school or high school equivalency programs.

(c) A family who is subject to time-limited benefits may petition the Commissioner of Social Services for six-month extensions of such benefits. The commissioner shall grant not more than two extensions to such family who has made a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of the program and despite such effort has a total family income at a level below the payment standard, or has encountered circumstances preventing employment including, but not limited to: (1) Domestic violence or physical harm to such family's children; or (2) other circumstances beyond such family's control. The commissioner shall disregard ninety dollars of earned income in determining applicable family income. The commissioner may grant a subsequent six-month extension if each adult in the family meets one or more of the following criteria: (A) The adult is precluded from engaging in employment activities due to domestic violence or another reason beyond the adult's control; (B) the adult has two or more substantiated barriers to employment including, but not limited to, the lack of available child care, substance abuse or addiction, severe mental or physical health problems, one or more severe learning disabilities, domestic violence or a child who has a serious physical or behavioral health problem; (C) the adult is working thirty-five or more hours per week, is earning at least the minimum wage and continues to earn less than the family's temporary family assistance payment standard; or (D) the adult is employed and works less than thirty-five hours per week due to (i) a documented medical impairment that limits the adult's hours of employment, provided the adult works the maximum number of hours that the medical condition permits, or (ii) the need to care for a disabled member of the adult's household, provided the adult works the maximum number of hours the adult's caregiving responsibilities permit. Families receiving temporary family assistance shall be notified by the department of the right to petition for such extensions. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commissioner shall not provide benefits under the state's temporary family assistance program to a family that is subject to the twenty-one month benefit limit and has received benefits beginning on or after October 1, 1996, if such benefits result in that family's receiving more than sixty months of time-limited benefits unless that family experiences domestic violence, as defined in Section 402(a)(7)(B), P.L. 104-193. For the purpose of calculating said sixty-month limit: (I) A month shall count toward the limit if the family receives assistance for any day of the month, provided any months of temporary family assistance received during the public health emergency declared by Governor Ned Lamont related to the COVID-19 pandemic shall not be included, and (II) a month in which a family receives temporary assistance for needy families benefits that are issued from a jurisdiction other than Connecticut shall count toward the limit.

(d) Under said program, no family shall be eligible that has total gross earnings exceeding the federal poverty level, however, in the calculation of the benefit amount for eligible families and previously eligible families that become ineligible temporarily because of receipt of workers' compensation benefits by a family member who subsequently returns to work immediately after the period of receipt of such benefits, earned income shall be disregarded up to the federal poverty level. Except when determining eligibility for a six-month extension of benefits pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the commissioner shall disregard the first fifty dollars per month of income attributable to current child support that a family receives in determining eligibility and benefit levels for temporary family assistance. Any current child support in excess of fifty dollars per month collected by the department on behalf of an eligible child shall be considered in determining eligibility but shall not be considered when calculating benefits and shall be taken as reimbursement for assistance paid under this section, except that when the current child support collected exceeds the family's monthly award of temporary family assistance benefits plus fifty dollars, the current child support shall be paid to the family and shall be considered when calculating benefits.

(e) A family receiving assistance under said program shall cooperate with child support enforcement, under title IV-D of the Social Security Act. A family shall be ineligible for benefits for failure to cooperate with child support enforcement.

(f) A family leaving assistance at the end of (1) said twenty-one-month time limit, including a family with income above the payment standard, or (2) the sixty-month limit shall have an interview for the purpose of being informed of services that may continue to be available to such family, including employment services available through the Labor Department. Such interview shall include (A) a determination of benefits available to the family provided by the Department of Social Services; and (B) a determination of whether such family is eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance or Medicaid. Information and referrals shall be made to such a family for services and benefits including, but not limited to, the earned income tax credit, rental subsidies emergency housing, employment services and energy assistance.

(g) Notwithstanding section 17b-104, commencing on July 1, 2023, the Commissioner of Social Services shall provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment in temporary family assistance benefits equal to the most recent percentage increase in the consumer price index for urban consumers whenever funds appropriated for temporary family assistance lapse at the close of any fiscal year and such adjustment has not otherwise been included in the budget for the assistance program, provided the increase would not create a budget deficiency in succeeding years. The commissioner shall provide a prorated benefit increase from such available lapsed funds in any fiscal year when such funds are not sufficient to cover a cost-of-living adjustment in accordance with this subsection.

(h) An applicant or recipient of temporary family assistance who is adversely affected by a decision of the Commissioner of Social Services may request and shall be provided a hearing in accordance with section 17b-60.

(P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 16, 41; 93-435, S. 59, 95; P.A. 95-194, S. 1, 33; 95-351, S. 1, 30; P.A. 96-262, S. 2, 11; 96-268, S. 1, 34; P.A. 97-295, S. 20, 25; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 1, 165; P.A. 98-262, S. 14, 22; P.A. 99-279, S. 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 12, 15, 61, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 125, 129, 131; P.A. 03-2, S. 13; 03-28, S. 1; 03-268, S. 5; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 80; P.A. 04-16, S. 2; 04-258, S. 27; P.A. 07-160, S. 1; P.A. 09-9, S. 22; P.A. 10-179, S. 79; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 327.)

History: P.A. 93-418 effective July 1, 1993 (Revisor's note: P.A. 93-262 and 93-435 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993); P.A. 95-194 added Subsec. (b) authorizing the department to seek waivers to modify existing research and demonstration programs, effective June 29, 1995; P.A. 95-351 made a technical change in Subsec. (b)(11), effective June 29, 1995; P.A. 96-262 amended Subsec. (b) to add a provision allowing the commissioner to encourage a recipient to undertake employment in preschool child care programs, child day care centers, group day care homes and family day care homes, effective July 1, 1996, and applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 1997; P.A. 96-268 made a technical correction in Subsec. (b)(7), effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 97-295 deleted Subsec. (b)(11) re opportunity certificates, effective July 8, 1997, and applicable to tax returns filed for income years commencing on or after January 1, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 deleted obsolete provisions of the research and programs designed to support self-sufficiency and family unity for recipients of aid to families with dependent children, inserted new Subsecs. (a) to (k), inclusive, establishing the temporary family assistance program providing cash assistance to eligible families in accordance with the temporary assistance for needy families program established pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-262 revised effective date of P.A. 97-295, but without affecting this section; P.A. 99-279 amended Subsec. (e)(1) to provide that earned income shall be disregarded up to the federal poverty level in the calculation of the benefit amount for “previously eligible families that become ineligible temporarily because of receipt of workers' compensation benefits by a family member who subsequently returns to work immediately after the period of receipt of such benefits” and to make a technical change; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (c) to limit 6-month benefit extensions to not more than three, and add provisions re conditions under which commissioner may grant a fourth or a subsequent 6-month extension, limiting benefits for certain families to 60 months and calculating 60-month limit and amended Subsec. (e) to add provision re $50 per month disregard, effective October 1, 2001, and amended Subsec. (g) to add two Subdiv. designators and to require family leaving assistance at end of the 60-month limit to have an interview, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 made technical changes in Subsec. (c), effective July 1, 2001, and revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; P.A. 03-2 amended Subsec. (c) by reducing the number of 6-month benefit extensions that the commissioner may grant from three to two and deleting “a fourth or” re commissioner's authority to grant subsequent benefit extensions, effective July 1, 2003; P.A. 03-28 amended Subsec. (c)(2)(D)(ii)(II) by replacing “temporary family assistance benefits” with “temporary assistance for needy families benefits”, deleted former Subsec. (d) re transitional Medicaid eligibility, redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) to (h) as Subsecs. (d) to (g), deleted former Subsec. (i) re “Reach for Jobs First” demonstration waiver and utilization of control group, and deleted former Subsec. (k) re regulations to be adopted by November 15, 1997; P.A. 03-268 deleted former Subsec. (j) re annual report of commissioner to human services and appropriations committees on funding required to support programs funded by the temporary assistance to needy families block grant; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions allowing the commissioner to administratively transfer certain families qualifying for state-administered general assistance cash benefits into a temporary family assistance coverage group should the commissioner determine that changes in federal law permit such families not previously eligible to become covered, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-16 made a technical change in Subsec. (a); P.A. 04-258 amended Subsec. (d) by changing “child support” to “current child support” re income disregard and adding provision re treatment of current child support received in excess of $50 per month as relates to eligibility and calculation of benefits, effective June 1, 2004; P.A. 07-160 amended Subsec. (a) by permitting commissioner to operate portions of temporary family assistance program as a solely state-funded program, separate from federal temporary assistance for needy families program, if commissioner determines that doing so will enable the state to avoid federal fiscal penalties and by providing that families receiving assistance under a solely state-funded program shall be subject to same eligibility conditions as those receiving assistance under federal program, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 09-9 amended Subsec. (f) to replace “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 10-179 deleted former Subsec. (d)(3) re establishment of disqualification penalty, effective May 7, 2010; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (b)(4) by eliminating requirement child be born not more than 10 months after family enrollment, amended Subsec. (c)(2)(D)(ii)(I) by exempting assistance provided during COVID-19 public health emergency, amended Subsec. (d) by deleting former Subdiv. (2) re cap on benefits for family with infant born more than 10 months after enrollment and deleting Subdiv. (1) designator, made technical changes and added Subpara. designators in Subsec. (f), added new Subsec. (g) re cost-of-living adjustment and redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (h), effective November 1, 2021.

(1) “Victim of domestic violence” means a person who has been abused or subjected to extreme cruelty by: (A) Physical acts that resulted in or were threatened to result in physical injury; (B) sexual abuse; (C) sexual activity involving a child in the home; (D) being forced to participate in nonconsensual sexual acts or activities; (E) threats of or attempts at physical or sexual abuse; (F) mental abuse; or (G) neglect or deprivation of medical care; and

(2) “Work activity” means subsidized or unsubsidized employment, job training, education, work placement assistance or community service program.

(b) For purposes of this section, allegations of domestic violence by a victim may be sufficient to establish domestic violence where the Department of Social Services has no independent, reasonable basis to find the applicant or recipient not credible. Upon alleging domestic violence an applicant or recipient may be required to provide a sworn statement or to submit to the department any evidence of such violence available to the applicant or recipient. Evidence of domestic violence may include, but is not limited to: (1) Police, government agency or court records; (2) documentation from a shelter worker, legal, medical, clerical or other professional from whom the applicant or recipient has sought assistance in dealing with domestic violence; or (3) a statement from an individual with knowledge of the circumstances which provide the basis for the claim of domestic violence.

(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall notify applicants and recipients of temporary family assistance, who are past or present victims of domestic violence or at risk of further domestic violence, of the following:

(1) Referrals available to counseling and supportive services, including, but not limited to, shelter services, medical services, domestic abuse hotlines, legal counseling and advocacy, mental health care and financial assistance; and

(2) Procedures to voluntarily and confidentially identify eligibility for referrals to such counseling and supportive services.

(d) The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement policies and procedures necessary to notify such applicants and recipients of the information specified in subsection (c) of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner prints notice of intention to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementing such policies and procedures. Final regulations shall be submitted to the legislative regulation review committee no later than November 15, 1997. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subsection shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.

(e) The Commissioner of Social Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish a domestic violence training program for employees of the Department of Social Services and any contractors with said department who work with applicants or recipients of temporary family assistance.

(f) For the purpose of establishing said training program, the commissioner may consult with domestic violence organizations or experts.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 2, 165; P.A. 13-214, S. 8.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 13-214 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to redefine “victim of domestic violence” by substituting “abused” for “battered”.

Sec. 17b-112b. Exemptions and extensions for applicants and recipients of temporary family assistance who are victims of domestic violence. Standards and procedures. Regulations. (a) An applicant or recipient who is a past or present victim of domestic violence or at risk of further domestic violence, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 17b-112a, shall, for good cause: (1) Be excused from failing to participate in a work activity; or (2) be exempted from child support enforcement requirements pursuant to subsection (e) of section 17b-112. Such an applicant or recipient may, for good cause, be granted an extension of cash assistance beyond twenty-one months, provided the domestic violence experienced is of sufficient magnitude to reasonably render the individual unable to obtain or maintain employment.

(b) Such standards and procedures for the determination of good cause shall include, but not be limited to, the following provisions:

(1) A finding of good cause for failure to participate in a work activity shall be made if (A) the applicant or recipient has physical injuries caused by abuse or psychological effects of abuse prohibiting such applicant or recipient to work, (B) a work activity is disrupted due to domestic violence, including civil or criminal legal proceedings related to such domestic violence, (C) the abuser actively interferes with the applicant's or recipient's work activity, attendance at work activity or child care arrangements, or (D) a work activity location puts the applicant or recipient at risk of further domestic violence;

(2) The commissioner shall find good cause whenever mandatory work activity or child support enforcement requirements would result in the inability or increased difficulty of an applicant or recipient to escape or prevent domestic violence;

(3) The finding of good cause shall not prohibit such applicant or recipient from voluntary participation in any work activity;

(4) A written, confidential procedure for the transmittal of the denial of a request for a finding of good cause to an applicant or recipient; and

(5) Access to a fair hearing procedure if an applicant or recipient is denied a request for a finding of good cause.

(c) An applicant or recipient may be required to seek an order of protection, attend counseling or take other actions to escape or prevent domestic violence, unless such an action would further the risk of continued or renewed violence.

(d) The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement policies and procedures necessary for the determination of good cause for the purpose of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner prints notice of intention to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementing such policies and procedures. Final regulations shall be submitted to the legislative regulation review committee no later than November 15, 1997. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subsection shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 3, 165; P.A. 03-28, S. 3.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 03-28 amended Subsec. (a) to replace reference to Sec. 17b-112(f) with reference to Sec. 17b-112(e).

Sec. 17b-112c. Alien eligibility for temporary family assistance or state-administered general assistance. (a) Qualified aliens, as defined in Section 431 of Public Law 104-193, who do not qualify for federally-funded cash assistance, other lawfully residing immigrant aliens or aliens who formerly held the status of permanently residing under color of law shall be eligible for solely state-funded temporary family assistance or cash assistance under the state-administered general assistance program, provided other conditions of eligibility are met. An individual who is granted assistance under this section must pursue citizenship to the maximum extent allowed by law as a condition of eligibility unless incapable of doing so due to a medical problem, language barrier or other reason as determined by the Commissioner of Social Services. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any qualified alien or other lawfully residing immigrant alien or alien who formerly held the status of permanently residing under color of law who is a victim of domestic violence or who has intellectual disability shall be eligible for assistance under this section.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section: (1) A qualified alien admitted into the United States on or after August 22, 1996, or other lawfully residing immigrant alien determined eligible for temporary family assistance or cash assistance under the state-administered general assistance program prior to July 1, 1997, or other lawfully residing immigrant alien or alien who formerly held the status of permanently residing under color of law, shall remain eligible, and (2) a qualified alien, other lawfully residing immigrant alien admitted into the United States on or after August 22, 1996, other lawfully residing immigrant alien or an alien who formerly held the status of permanently residing under color of law and not determined eligible prior to July 1, 1997, shall be eligible for such assistance subsequent to six months from establishing residency in this state.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a qualified alien or other lawfully residing immigrant alien or alien who formerly held the status of permanently residing under color of law who is a victim of domestic violence or who has intellectual disability shall be eligible for assistance under this section.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 144, 165; P.A. 99-279, S. 9, 45; P.A. 00-83, S. 1, 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 17, 19, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 111, 112, 127, 129, 131; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 24; P.A. 04-258, S. 15; P.A. 13-139, S. 22.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-279 amended Subsec. (b) to extend from July 1, 1999, to July 1, 2001, the eligibility of certain qualified aliens or other lawfully residing immigrant aliens for temporary family assistance, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 00-83 amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions re certain aliens eligible for solely state-funded temporary family assistance, assistance under “Reach for Jobs First” or cash assistance under the state-administered general assistance program, to delete reference to qualified aliens “admitted into the United States prior to August 22, 1996”, to delete provisions re qualified aliens admitted into the United States on or after August 22, 1996, and not determined eligible for assistance prior to July 1, 1997, to provide that an alien who formerly held status of permanently residing under color of law who is a domestic violence victim or who has mental retardation shall be eligible for assistance under this section, and to make conforming technical changes, amended Subsec. (b)(1) to add reference to cash assistance under the state-administered general assistance program and to provide that other lawfully residing immigrant aliens who formerly held status of permanently residing under color of law shall remain eligible for assistance until July 1, 2001, and amended Subsec. (b)(2) to add reference to other lawfully residing immigrant alien or alien who formerly held such status and to delete provisions re eligibility of individual qualified under Title IV of Public Law 104-93, effective July 1, 2000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate provision re “Reach for Jobs First” program and to prohibit commissioner from accepting new applications for assistance under subsection as of July 2, 2001, and amended Subsec. (b) to delete July 1, 2001, eligibility termination date in Subdivs. (1) and (2) and to delete exception for otherwise qualified individuals in Subdiv. (2), effective July 2, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 changed deadline for applications under Subsec. (a) to June 30, 2002, and added Subsec. (c) re eligibility of qualified aliens or other lawfully residing immigrants who are the victims of domestic violence or who have mental retardation, effective July 1, 2001, and also revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7 amended Subsec. (a) to extend the deadline for certain aliens to apply for assistance until June 30, 2003, effective August 15, 2002; P.A. 04-258 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision that prohibited commissioner from accepting new applications for assistance after June 30, 2003, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 13-139 amended Subsecs. (a) and (c) by substituting “intellectual disability” for “mental retardation”.

Sec. 17b-112d. Eligibility for temporary assistance for needy families or supplemental nutrition assistance program for person convicted of controlled substance felony. A person convicted of any offense under federal or state law, on or after August 22, 1996, which (1) is classified as a felony, and (2) has as an element the possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance, as defined in Subsection (6) of 21 USC 802, shall be eligible for benefits pursuant to the temporary assistance for needy families program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program pursuant to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, if such person has completed a sentence imposed by a court. A person shall also be eligible for said benefits if such person is satisfactorily serving a sentence of a period of probation or is in the process of completing or has completed a sentence imposed by the court of mandatory participation in a substance abuse treatment program or mandatory participation in a substance abuse testing program.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 123, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 23.)

History: June 18 P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 replaced “food stamp” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, replaced “Food Stamp Act of 1977” with “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008” and made a technical change, effective May 4, 2009.

Sec. 17b-112e. Safety net services. Regulations. (a) The Department of Social Services shall provide safety net services for certain families identified as having significant barriers to employment and families who are at risk of losing benefits under the temporary family assistance program or no longer receiving program benefits. To be eligible for safety net services, such families shall: (1) Have been identified as having significant barriers to employment during the initial assessment by the department's eligibility worker or during the first twelve months of employment services by an employment services case manager; (2) have made a good faith effort to seek and maintain employment but have not been able to do so or be at risk of failing to complete the employment services program; (3) have exhausted their eligibility for temporary family assistance program benefits; or (4) not be eligible for six-month extensions of temporary family assistance benefits due to: (A) The receipt of two sanctions from the department during the first twenty months of the twenty-one-month time limit of said temporary family assistance program; or (B) the determination by the department that such a family has not made a good faith effort to seek and maintain employment.

(b) Said safety net shall consist of services provided through the existing community service delivery network with additional resources provided by the Department of Social Services. Services shall be provided in-kind or through vendor or voucher payment. Services may include the following: (1) Food, shelter, clothing and employment assistance; (2) eviction prevention; (3) an in-depth family needs assessment; (4) intensive case management that includes visits to the family's home; (5) continuous monitoring for child abuse or neglect; and (6) for families at risk of losing benefits under the temporary family assistance program, individual performance contracts administered by the Labor Department that require job training, job searching, volunteer work, participation in parenting programs or counseling or any other requirements deemed necessary by the Labor Commissioner.

(c) Families successfully meeting the program requirements established by the individual performance contracts in subdivision (6) of subsection (b) of this section prior to the end of the twenty-one-month time limit shall be considered to have made a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of the program for the purposes of qualifying for a six-month extension, provided they have made a good faith effort to comply with the individual performance contract or have not incurred a sanction subsequent to completing the individual performance contract.

(d) The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement policies and procedures necessary for the purposes of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner prints notice of intention to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementing such policies and procedures. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subsection shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 6, 165; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 57, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 03-19, S. 39; P.A. 07-160, S. 2; P.A. 09-8, S. 16.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to make a technical change, amended Subsec. (b)(5) to require that individual performance contracts be administered by the Labor Department and require job training, job searching, volunteer work, participation in parenting programs or counseling or any other requirements deemed necessary by the Labor Commissioner, in lieu of Commissioner of Social Services, and amended Subsec. (d) to delete requirement that final regulations be submitted to the legislative regulation review committee no later than November 15, 1997, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; P.A. 03-19 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective May 12, 2003; P.A. 07-160 amended Subsec. (a) by revising categories of families eligible for safety net services to include families identified as having significant barriers to employment, families who have made a good faith effort to seek and maintain employment but who have not been able to do so and families who have exhausted their eligibility for temporary family assistance program benefits and by making technical changes, amended Subsec. (b) by adding “an in-depth family needs assessment” as service provided, by specifying that intensive case management includes visits to the family's home and by making technical changes, and amended Subsec. (c) by changing internal reference from Subdiv. (5) to Subdiv. (6), effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 09-8 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 17b-112f. Safety net services account. Regulations. (a) There is established a safety net services account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. Any moneys collected under the contribution system established under section 12-743 shall be deposited by the Commissioner of Revenue Services into the account. This account may also receive moneys from public and private sources or from the federal government. All moneys deposited in the account shall be used by the Department of Social Services or persons acting under a contract with the department to fund services provided pursuant to section 17b-112e. Expenditures from the account in any fiscal year for the promotion of the contribution system or the account shall not exceed ten per cent of the amount of moneys raised during the previous fiscal year, provided such limitation shall not apply to an expenditure of not more than fifteen thousand dollars from the account on or before July 1, 1997, to reimburse expenditures made on or before said date, with prior written authorization of the Commissioner of Social Services, by private organizations to promote the contribution system and safety net account.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to provide for distribution of funds available pursuant to this section and section 12-743.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 5, 165.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997.

Sec. 17b-112g. Diversion assistance program for families. Eligibility. Notification of benefits and services. Regulations. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall offer immediate diversion assistance designed to prevent certain families who are applying for monthly temporary family assistance from needing such assistance. Diversion assistance shall be offered to families that (1) upon initial assessment are determined eligible for temporary family assistance, (2) demonstrate a short-term need that cannot be met with current or anticipated family resources, and (3) with the provision of a service or short-term benefit, would be prevented from needing monthly temporary family assistance. Within resources available to the Department of Social Services, a person who requests diversion assistance on the basis of being a victim of domestic violence, as defined in section 17b-112a, shall be deemed to satisfy subdivision (2) of this subsection and shall not be subject to the requirements of subdivision (3) of this subsection. In determining whether the family of such a victim of domestic violence satisfies the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection and the appropriate amount of diversion assistance to provide, the commissioner shall not include as a member of the family the spouse, domestic partner or other household member credibly accused of domestic violence by such victim, nor shall the commissioner count the income or assets of such a spouse, domestic partner or other household member. For purposes of this subsection, allegations of domestic violence may be substantiated by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of section 17b-112a.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall establish (1) a simplified eligibility determination process for diversion assistance, and (2) an expedited procedure to deliver benefits pursuant to this section. Diversion assistance shall be provided not later than fifteen calendar days from the date the applicant signs a request for diversion assistance. An application for temporary family assistance shall be withdrawn if the Commissioner of Social Services and the applicant agree that diversion assistance would prevent the family from needing temporary family assistance and such diversion assistance is provided. In no event shall the amount of diversion assistance be greater than the cash assistance equivalent of three months of temporary family assistance for such family.

(c) Diversion assistance may include, but not be limited to, employment services, child care assistance, transportation assistance, housing assistance, utilities assistance, clothing assistance and assistance with purchasing or maintaining tools necessary for employment.

(d) A family receiving diversion assistance shall be ineligible to receive monthly temporary family assistance payments for a period of three months from the date of application for temporary family assistance, except that such family shall be eligible to receive temporary family assistance payments within such period if the Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee, in the commissioner's sole discretion, determines that the family has experienced undue hardship. A family that is subject to the twenty-one-month benefit limit under temporary family assistance shall have diversion assistance count as three months toward such limit. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a family receiving diversion assistance that later qualifies for temporary family assistance from qualifying for a six-month extension available to recipients of temporary family assistance who did not receive diversion assistance.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 17b-77 and to the extent permitted by federal law, families shall not be required to assign their right to receive child support payments to the state while receiving diversion assistance.

(f) The Commissioner of Social Services shall inform each applicant of the specific benefits and services the family will receive through diversion assistance and the benefits available to such family under temporary family assistance. If the applicant consents to diversion assistance, the applicant may rescind the request for such assistance within three business days of the request for diversion assistance.

(g) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a family receiving diversion assistance from being eligible for other social service programs administered by the Department of Social Services including, but not limited to, supplemental nutrition assistance, child care assistance, medical assistance and transitional child care and medical assistance benefits.

(h) The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement the policies and procedures necessary to carry out the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided notice of intent to adopt the regulations is published in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days after implementation. Such policies and procedures shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.

(P.A. 98-239, S. 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 16, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 09-9, S. 24; P.A. 21-78, S. 13.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (a) to limit Subdiv. (1) to initial assessment, amended Subsec. (b) to designate simplified eligibility determination process as Subdiv. (1) and to add Subdiv. (2) re expedited procedure and made technical changes for the purposes of gender neutrality in Subsecs. (d) and (f); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; P.A. 09-9 amended Subsec. (g) by replacing “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance”, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 21-78 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions on diversion assistance for domestic violence victims, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 17b-112h. Disbursement of federal funds received from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund. (a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Services shall disburse all federal funds received by the Department of Social Services for benefits or services previously provided that qualify for reimbursement under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund provision of Section 403 of the Social Security Act as follows:

(1) The Commissioner of Social Services shall deposit any funds received for reimbursement for expenditures not originally funded from the General Fund in the General Fund. Such funds shall be credited to a nonlapsing account in the Department of Social Services. Eighty per cent of the first two hundred fifty thousand dollars of such funds provided as reimbursement for benefits or services previously provided by a service provider using funding sources other than the General Fund shall be paid to each provider of such benefits or services for the purpose of providing additional benefits or services under the temporary assistance for needy families program, as approved by the department. The remaining twenty per cent of such reimbursed funds shall be deposited into the General Fund as revenue. Any such reimbursement in excess of two hundred fifty thousand dollars per service provider shall be shared equally between the service provider and the state. The service provider's share shall be used to provide additional benefits or services under the state's temporary assistance for needy families program, as approved by the department. The state's share of any such reimbursement shall be deposited into the General Fund as revenue and shall be used for any purpose permitted under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program pursuant to Section 403(c) of the Social Security Act.

(2) The Commissioner of Social Services shall deposit any funds received for reimbursement for expenditures originally funded from the General Fund through a contract with a human service provider in the General Fund. Such funds shall be credited to a nonlapsing account in the Department of Social Services. Thirty per cent of such funds provided as reimbursement for benefits or services previously provided shall be paid to each provider of such benefits or services for the purpose of providing additional benefits or services under the temporary assistance for needy families program, as approved by the department. The remaining seventy per cent of such reimbursement shall be deposited into the General Fund as revenue and shall be used for any purpose permitted under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program pursuant to Section 403(c) of the Social Security Act.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the Commissioner of Social Services shall deposit any funds for reimbursement received by the Department of Social Services for prior expenditures for subsidized employment services provided under the Jobs First program, in the General Fund. Such funds shall be credited to a nonlapsing account in the Department of Social Services. The commissioner shall use such funds to fund additional subsidized employment services under the temporary assistance for needy families program.

(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Services shall deposit all federal funds received by the Department of Social Services as an advance payment of the eighty per cent federal share for benefits and services to be provided under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund provision of Section 403 of the Social Security Act for expenditures not funded from the General Fund in the General Fund. Such funds shall be credited to a nonlapsing account in the Department of Social Services. Such funds shall be used to pay for benefits or services under the temporary assistance for needy families program, for programs operated by service providers that qualify under the provisions of Section 403 of the Social Security Act, as approved by the department, and for which the service provider provides the twenty per cent nonfederal share of such program's cost. Any advance payment of the eighty per cent federal share for benefits and services to be provided under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund provision of Section 403 of the Social Security Act for expenditures to be funded from the General Fund shall be deposited in the General Fund as revenue and shall be used for any purpose permitted under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program pursuant to Section 403(c) of the Social Security Act.

(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall designate and contract with a fiscal intermediary to administer the distribution of funds to service providers under this section. The commissioner shall pay the costs associated with such contract from (1) the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund advance payments and the service provider's twenty per cent nonfederal share of the program's cost on a proportionate basis, (2) the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund reimbursement revenue, notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this section, or (3) funding sources available to the Department of Social Services other than the General Fund.

(P.A. 10-185, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 10-185 effective June 8, 2010.

Sec. 17b-112i. Maximization of federal funds available from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Fund. (a) The Department of Social Services shall maximize federal fund opportunities from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Fund established pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, P.L. 111-5, in order to assist families facing unemployment, housing crises, increasing debt, homelessness or other hardships. The department shall seek to utilize, in accordance with the provisions of federal law:

(1) The nonrecurrent, short-term benefits category of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Fund for eligible purposes, including, but not limited to, housing, transportation, work expenses, family safety, low birth weight reduction, food and nutrition. The benefits funded pursuant to this subdivision may include, but not be limited to, mortgage assistance, eviction relief, car repair, work clothes, domestic violence services, home visitation and on-the-job training; and

(2) The subsidized employment category of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Fund for eligible purposes, including, but not limited to, youth employment programs and the alleviation of specific labor shortages and state worker shortages where the jobs created help families apply for state services.

(b) The department shall work with the private sector, including philanthropic, business and nonprofit agencies as well as any consortium of such groups, for eligible purposes and as third-party participants to qualify for, access and maximize federal funding from said emergency fund through donation, in-kind spending and training of subsidized workers.

(P.A. 10-133, S. 7; P.A. 11-25, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 10-133 effective June 8, 2010; P.A. 11-25 made a technical change in Subsec. (a).

See Sec. 4-165c re immunity of the state and its officials, employees and agents.

Sec. 17b-112j. Jobs First program. Modification of approved work activities. Section 17b-112j is repealed, effective July 1, 2016.

(P.A. 10-133, S. 8; P.A. 11-25, S. 8; P.A. 16-131, S. 7.)

Sec. 17b-112k. Pilot program to serve persons receiving temporary family assistance program benefits and participating in Jobs First program. Section 17b-112k is repealed, effective June 23, 2021.

(P.A. 11-44, S. 165; 11-61, S. 155; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 25; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 493.)

Sec. 17b-112l. Initiative for two-generational service delivery to encourage educational, health and workforce readiness and self-sufficiency. (a) There is established a two-generational initiative to disrupt cycles of poverty and advance family economic self-sufficiency. The initiative shall collaborate across public and private sectors to support early childhood care and education, health and workforce readiness and economic self-sufficiency across two generations in the same household. Households may include, but need not be limited to, children and their mothers, fathers, noncustodial parents and other primary caregivers.

(b) The Office of Early Childhood shall serve as the two-generational initiative's coordinating agency. The initiative may include review and consideration of the following, within available appropriations, to attain family economic mobility and success:

(1) Coordination and delivery of programs that improve access to services and equity in opportunity to achieve family economic success. Such programs may include, but need not be limited to, early learning programs, adult education, child care, housing, apprenticeship and job training, transportation, financial literacy, health and mental health services, and sufficiently supported pathways to family-sustaining workforce opportunities, offered at one location, whenever possible; and

(2) Alignment of state and federal resources around the family including the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant funds, and services to equip such families with the tools and skills needed to overcome obstacles and engage opportunities.

(c) Implementation of the initiative shall foster the comprehensive two-generational service delivery approach for early care and education and workforce readiness in learning communities that may include, but need not be limited to, New Haven, Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, Norwalk, Meriden, Windham, Enfield, Waterbury and Bridgeport. The initiative shall be implemented in partnership with parent and family leaders to determine the priorities and challenges of low-income households. Coordinators of the initiative shall foster a peer-to-peer exchange and technical assistance in best practices between learning communities that shall be shared with the advisory board established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The staff of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall serve as the administrative staff to the learning communities.

(d) A Two-Generational Advisory Board shall be established as part of the initiative to advise the state, the legislature and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management on how to foster family economic self-sufficiency in low income households through a comprehensive two-generational service delivery approach for early child care, education and workforce readiness. The board shall work in partnership with philanthropic organizations, as available, to provide support, technical assistance, guidance and best practices to the participating communities in the initiative designated pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The board shall consist of (1) one member of the General Assembly appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall serve as a cochairperson; (2) one member of the Senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall serve as a cochairperson; (3) one member representing the interests of business or trade organizations appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (4) one member with expertise on issues concerning physical and mental health appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (5) one member with expertise on issues concerning children and families appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (6) one member of the General Assembly appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (7) one member appointed by the Governor; (8) representatives of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations and scholars who are experts in two-generational programs and policies, including, but not limited to, at least one such representative and scholar with experience in developing strategies to achieve racial equity and social justice; (9) parent or family leaders representing low-income households selected by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, who shall constitute one-fourth of the board; and (10) other business and academic professionals as needed to achieve goals for two-generational systems planning, evaluations and outcomes selected by the cochairpersons. The Chief Court Administrator, or the Chief Court Administrator's designee, shall serve as ex-officio members of the advisory board. The staff of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall serve as the organizing and administrative staff of the advisory board.

(e) Not later than July 1, 2020, pursuant to the advisory authority established in section 3-125, the Office of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Two-Generational Advisory Board, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the Chief Data Officer appointed pursuant to section 4-67p and the Connecticut Preschool through Twenty and Workforce Information Network, established pursuant to section 10a-57g, shall develop a uniform interagency data sharing protocol to remove legal barriers to promote cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration under this section to the fullest extent permitted under state and federal laws.

(f) Not later than December 31, 2020, and annually thereafter, the Two-Generational Advisory Board, in consultation with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, shall file a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, education, housing, human services, labor, public health, transportation and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies. The report shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) Shared indicators and goals for interagency collaboration developed pursuant to section 1 of public act 19-78*, (2) improvements in Two-Generational Initiative service coordination and streamlined resources, (3) methods of improved family engagement to assure continuous feedback from family leaders regarding the priorities and challenges of low income households, and (4) recommendations to (A) improve systems, policy, culture, program, budget or communications issues among agencies and service providers on the local and state levels to achieve two-generational success; (B) eliminate barriers to two-generational success; and (C) improve data sharing within and between agencies to inform systems and policy direction to achieve family economic success.

(g) Within available appropriations, parent and family participants of the Two-Generational Initiative may be compensated for time and travel related to Two-Generational Advisory Board meetings and Two-Generational Initiative activities related to asset building, leadership and community engagement.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 401; P.A. 16-79, S. 1; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 153; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 141; P.A. 18-19, S. 1; 18-129, S. 2; P.A. 19-78, S. 2; 19-117, S. 124.)

*Note: Section 1 of public act 19-78 is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-79 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re persons who may be included in households, add provision re pilot sites to be informed by members of low-income households and peer-to-peer exchange and add provision defining “Greater Hartford”, amended Subsec. (b)(1) to add “, including, but not limited to, health and mental health services,”, amended Subsec. (c) to add provisions re member representing interests of business or trade organizations, member with expertise on issues concerning children and families, member of transportation committee, member of education committee and not more than 6 members of low-income households, amended Subsec. (e) to add references to education, housing, public health and transportation committees, delete former Subdivs. (1) to (4) re report to detail numbers of families served, adults who have obtained jobs, children who have improved academically and adults who have received and completed job training and enrolled and obtained certificates or degrees in educational courses, add new Subdivs. (1) to (5) re statements in report and redesignate existing Subdivs. (5) and (6) re cost of program and recommendations to expand program, respectively, as Subdivs. (6) and (7), and made technical changes, effective June 1, 2016; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (c) by making a technical change and replacing “Commission on Children” with “Commission on Women, Children and Seniors”, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re pilot program, adding reference to initiative, replacing reference to academic and job readiness support services with provisions re two-generational service delivery approach, and promotion of systemic change, substantially amended Subsec. (b) including by adding provisions re Office of Early Childhood to serve as two-generational initiative's coordinating agency and matters for initiative's review and consideration, deleted provisions re workforce liaison, deleted former Subsecs. (c) and (d) re interagency working group and coordinators of two-generational programs, respectively, added new Subsec. (c) re initiative to foster comprehensive two-generational service delivery approach for early care and education and workforce readiness in learning communities, added new Subsec. (d) re Two-Generational Advisory Council, amended Subsec. (e) by replacing provisions re information to be included in report with provisions re same, and made technical and conforming changes, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 18-19 added new Subsec. (e) re facilitation of data sharing, redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec.(f) and amended same to add reference to labor committee, add Subdiv. (4) re recommendations on improved data sharing, and make a technical change, effective May 25, 2018; P.A. 18-129 amended Subsec. (b)(2) by designating existing provision re the household as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re coordinated state-wide reading plan for students in kindergarten to grade three, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-78 substantially amended Subsec. (a) including by replacing “foster family economic self-sufficiency in low-income households through a comprehensive two-generational service delivery approach” with “disrupt cycles of poverty and advance family economic self-sufficiency”, replacing “promote systemic change to create conditions across local and state public sector agencies and private sector” with “collaborate across public and private sectors” and adding reference to children, substantially amended Subsec. (b) including by deleting reference to executive branch, adding “to attain family economic mobility and success”, adding reference to apprenticeship, adding “sufficiently supported pathways to family-sustaining workforce opportunities”, replacing reference to state and local support systems around the household with reference to state and federal resources around the family and deleting provisions re coordinated state-wide reading plan for certain students, development of long-term plan to coordinate, align and optimize service delivery of relevant programs state wide and partnerships between state and national philanthropic organizations; amended Subsec. (c) by replacing “informed by members of low-income households within these communities” with “implemented in partnership with parent and family leaders to determine the priorities and challenges of low-income households”, and adding reference to learning communities, deleting former Subsecs. (d), (e) and (f) re Two-Generational Advisory Council, adding new Subsec. (d) re Two-Generational Advisory Board, adding new Subsec. (e) re uniform interagency data sharing protocol to promote collaboration, adding new Subsec. (f) re report by Two-Generational Advisory Board, adding Subsec. (g) re compensation for parent and family participants of Two-Generational Initiative, and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2019 (Revisor's note: Pursuant to P.A. 19-117, “Commission on Women, Children and Seniors” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity”); P.A. 19-117 amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) by replacing “Commission on Women, Children and Seniors” with “Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity”, effective July 1, 2019.

Sec. 17b-112m. Integration of Even Start into planning and implementation of state-wide, two-generational initiative. It is intended that Even Start be integrated into the coordinated state planning and implementation of the state-wide, two-generational initiative of the Office of Early Childhood.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 32, 568.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 effective October 31, 2017.

Sec. 17b-113. Rate paid to recipients. Section 17b-113 is repealed, effective July 1, 1997.

(P.A. 93-418, S. 17, 41; P.A. 95-194, S. 3, 33; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 164, 165.)

Sec. 17b-114. (Formerly Sec. 17-83q). Return of security deposits. Subject to federal approval, as a condition of receiving a special need benefit to cover the cost of a security deposit, a recipient of assistance under the temporary family assistance program or the state-administered general assistance program or the program of state supplementation to the Supplemental Security Income Program shall sign an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Services stating that the security deposit and accrued interest, less the value of any damages suffered by the landlord due to the recipient's failure to comply with his obligations as a tenant pursuant to section 47a-21, shall be paid by the landlord to the Department of Social Services when the recipient vacates the housing for which the deposit is paid. The recipient shall notify the commissioner of the date such housing is vacated. If the landlord claims the right to withhold all or part of the security deposit or interest, the landlord shall comply with the applicable provisions of section 47a-21, except any notice required shall be sent to the tenant and to the Commissioner of Social Services. If the landlord fails to return the deposit to the Department of Social Services or to account to the department for any amount withheld within the time limits set forth in section 47a-21, the department may refer the matter to the Department of Administrative Services for payment to the state of the deposit, interest and such other damages as are available to tenants under said section. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of section 47a-21, for purposes of taking such action on behalf of the state, the Department of Administrative Services is not required to give notice of a forwarding address. A recipient of a special need benefit to cover the cost of a security deposit who agrees the deposit shall be returned to the department pursuant to this section shall be eligible for a subsequent such special need benefit at any time the recipient meets the eligibility criteria for the special need benefit for emergency housing set forth in subsection (a) of section 17b-808.

(P.A. 92-159; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 53, 165; P.A. 00-68, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-83q transferred to Sec. 17b-114 in 1995. June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 00-68 substituted “Department of Administrative Services” for “Bureau of Collection Services” and “the landlord” for “he”.

Secs. 17b-114a to 17b-114n. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 17b-114o. Submission of federal TANF expenditure report to legislative committees. The expenditure report relative to the temporary assistance for needy families block grant required to be submitted by the Commissioner of Social Services to the federal Department of Health and Human Services shall be transmitted to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies within forty-five days of the date of such submission. Such report for the last quarter of the fiscal year shall include the identification of unliquidated obligations either identified in previous quarterly reports for the same fiscal year and claimed before the prior quarterly report or those not yet claimed by the commissioner for the purposes of receiving federal reimbursement. In the event that such report identifies any unliquidated obligations, the commissioner shall notify said committees of the commissioner's intention concerning the disposition of such unliquidated obligations, which may include establishing or contributing to a reserve account to meet future needs in the temporary family assistance program.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 34, 53; P.A. 01-195, S. 78, 181.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2 effective July 1, 2000; P.A. 01-195 made a technical change, effective July 11, 2001.

GENERAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 17b-115. (Formerly Sec. 17-272). “Town” and “selectmen” defined. Section 17b-115 is repealed, effective July 1, 1997.

(1949 Rev., S. 2584; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 164, 165.)

(1949 Rev., S. 2585; 1961, P.A. 345, S. 1; 425, S. 1; P.A. 75-407; P.A. 82-214, S. 4, 6; 82-236, S. 2, 3; P.A. 83-575, S. 1. 10; P.A. 84-168, S. 2; P.A. 86-415, S. 5; P.A. 89-239, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 36, 63; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 5, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 20, 34, 41; P.A. 95-194, S. 7, 15, 33; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 54, 165; P.A. 99-279, S. 10, 45; P.A. 00-83, S. 2, 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 108, 131; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 48, 53; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97.)

Secs. 17b-118 and 17b-118a. Transferred to Chapter 319t, Secs. 17b-195 and 17b-196, respectively.

Sec. 17b-118b. Restrictions on eligibility for general assistance of persons aged eighteen to twenty-one living with and as dependents of their parents. Section 17b-118b is repealed, effective October 1, 2004.

(P.A. 95-194, S. 17, 33; P.A. 04-76, S. 59.)

Sec. 17b-119. Transferred to Chapter 319t, Sec. 17b-197.

Secs. 17b-120 and 17b-121. (Formerly Secs. 17-273d and 17-274a). Emergency shelter services for general assistance recipients. Regulations on medical treatment. Sections 17b-120 and 17b-121 are repealed, effective March 1, 2004.

(P.A. 83-532, S. 2, 3; 83-575, S. 3, 10; P.A. 84-159, S. 1; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 7, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97.)

Sec. 17b-122. (Formerly Sec. 17-277). Reimbursement by paupers. When any person has been supported, in whole or in part, by any town, such person shall be liable to pay for such support the cost of such support or a reasonable amount thereof and, on his failure so to do, his executor, administrator or conservator shall be so liable, if he has sufficient assets in his hands belonging to the estate of such person; and such amount may be recovered in a civil action, and the statute of limitations shall not be pleaded therein.

(1949 Rev., S. 2588; 1953, S. 1426d; 1961, P.A. 425, S. 2.)

History: 1961 act deleted provision for town selectmen being overseers of the poor; Sec. 17-277 transferred to Sec. 17b-122 in 1995.

See Sec. 17b-128 re town's claim against proceeds of cause of action.

See Sec. 17b-132 re sale of property of deceased person whom town has supported.

Annotations to former section 17-277:

Selectmen have power to settle an account for supplies to pauper and such settlement is evidence of pauper's settlement. 29 C. 113. Powers of selectmen to restrain pauper. 34 C. 132; 71 C. 724. They cannot collect and discharge debts of paupers. 38 C. 191. One selectman has no power to submit question of settlement to arbitration. 54 C. 34.

Sec. 17b-123. (Formerly Sec. 17-278). Request for support. Application review process. Notification by applicant of change in circumstances. Section 17b-123 is repealed, effective March 1, 2004.

(1949 Rev., S. 2589; 1959, P.A. 603; P.A. 76-301, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; P.A. 83-575, S. 5, 10; P.A. 84-49; P.A. 85-63; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 9, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-194, S. 10, 33; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 57, 165; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97.)

Sec. 17b-124. (Formerly Sec. 17-279). Disclosure by person controlling property. (a) Each person having in his possession or control any property of any person applying for or receiving such support, or being indebted to him, or having knowledge of any property or income, including wages, belonging to him, and any officer having control of the books and accounts of any corporation which has possession or control of any property or income, including wages, belonging to any person applying for or receiving such support or is indebted to him, shall, upon presentation by such selectmen or any of them or their attorney of a certificate signed by them or him stating that such person has applied for or is receiving support from the town, make full disclosure to such selectmen or attorney as to any such property or income, including wages, or indebtedness. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars and shall pay just damages to the town injured thereby.

(b) Each person having in his possession or control any property of any person for whom an application has been filed for medical assistance under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, or being indebted to him, or having knowledge of any property or income, including wages, belonging to him, or having knowledge of any other information relevant to such person's eligibility for such assistance, and any officer having control of the books and accounts of any corporation which has possession or control of any property or income, including wages, belonging to any such person, or is indebted to him, or having knowledge of such information, shall, upon presentation by a medical provider or its attorney of a signed certificate stating that an application signed by such person has been made for medical assistance, make full disclosure to such provider as to any such property or income, including wages or indebtedness or such other information relevant to such person's eligibility. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars and shall pay just damages to the provider injured thereby.

(1949 Rev., S. 2590; P.A. 88-156, S. 16; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 23, 89; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 46; P.A. 19-118, S. 30.)

History: P.A. 88-156 added income, including wages, to what constitutes property; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 added Subsec. (b) re disclosure by person controlling property of person who has applied for medical assistance under this chapter; Sec. 17-279 transferred to Sec. 17b-124 in 1995; (Revisor's note: The references in Subsec. (b) to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive,” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act; P.A. 19-118 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.

See Sec. 36a-42 re requirement that a financial institution disclose financial records in response to a certificate issued by a medical provider or its attorney under Subsec. (b) of this section.

Sec. 17b-125. (Formerly Sec. 17-280). Eligibility for town relief of owner of real property. (a) No resident of a town shall be deemed to be ineligible to receive relief from such town by reason of having an interest in real property, provided such real property (1) is maintained as such resident's primary home, or (2) would not be counted in determining eligibility for assistance under the state supplement program, medical assistance program, temporary family assistance program or supplemental nutrition assistance program, and provided such resident shall deliver to such town, through its board of selectmen, an agreement executed and acknowledged in the form and manner required for the transfer of an interest in real property to reimburse such town for all amounts so paid to such resident or expended by such town on his behalf for maintenance, care or support, with interest at the rate of four per cent per annum. Such agreement shall describe by metes and bounds, and by street number and lot number, if any, the real property in which such beneficiary has an interest and shall be recorded in the land records of the town or towns in which such real property is located, and shall constitute a lien on such real property which may, at any time during which such amounts remain unpaid, be foreclosed in an action brought by such town in a court of competent jurisdiction, and such lien shall have precedence over all subsequently recorded encumbrances, except tax liens or other municipal liens of such towns. Such lien shall be released by such town by its board of selectmen upon payment of the amount, plus interest, by it secured. The board of selectmen of such town is authorized to adjust, remit or cancel, in whole or in part, any interest accruing under such lien, provided such procedure shall be deemed necessary and beneficial to such town by such selectmen and shall be so voted at a meeting of such selectmen and a record of such vote entered in the minutes of the meetings of such board. Such board of selectmen is also authorized to release such lien without payment of the amount secured thereby, in whole or in part, provided such procedure shall be deemed necessary and beneficial to the town by such selectmen and shall be so voted at a meeting of such selectmen and a record of such vote entered in the minutes of the meetings of such board. Upon the sale, after foreclosure, of such real estate, or any part thereof, and after complete satisfaction to such town of the amount secured by such lien, plus interest, together with all costs and expenses, any balance remaining shall be paid over by such selectmen to such resident or, if he is deceased, to his estate. The board of selectmen of such town is authorized to execute, on behalf of the town, all releases, deeds and other instruments necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Upon written request therefor, the selectmen shall forthwith issue to the applicant a statement of the amount due to be paid to cancel such lien. No such lien shall be valid and enforceable after the expiration of forty years from the date it was recorded.

(b) Any lien created pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section after October 1, 1964, shall continue to be valid and enforceable notwithstanding the expiration of fifteen years from the date it was recorded.

(1949 Rev., S. 2591; 1957, P.A. 161; P.A. 79-26; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 10, 89; P.A. 93-418, S. 10, 41; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 58, 165; P.A. 09-9, S. 25; P.A. 10-32, S. 64.)

History: P.A. 79-26 raised limitation on lien's validity from 15 to 40 years and added Subsec. (b); May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 added Subsec. (a)(1) and (2) re limitations on eligibility of person having an interest in real property; P.A. 93-418 made a technical correction, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-280 transferred to Sec. 17b-125 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 09-9 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “food stamps” with “supplemental nutrition assistance” and making a technical change, effective May 4, 2009; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective May 10, 2010.

Sec. 17b-126. (Formerly Sec. 17-281). Lien against real property. If any person receiving such aid neglects or refuses to sign such agreement, the selectmen are authorized to file a lien against such property, or against the real property of any legally liable relative of any person receiving aid or support under sections 17b-194, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, to secure the disbursements of such town made prior to filing such lien and any disbursements thereafter made, and such lien from the time of filing shall have the same force and effect and may be foreclosed in the same manner as any agreement provided for in section 17b-125.

(1949 Rev., S. 2592; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 39, 63; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 48; P.A. 19-118, S. 31.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 amended section to authorize a lien against property owned by a legally liable relative of a person receiving aid or support; Sec. 17-281 transferred to Sec. 17b-126 in 1995; (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive,” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 deleted reference to Sec. 17b-221 that was repealed by the same act; P.A. 19-118 deleted reference to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.

Sec. 17b-127. (Formerly Sec. 17-282). General assistance fraud. Penalty. Forfeiture of privileges of participation in program. Termination upon conviction. Readmission. (a) No vendor of goods or services sold to or performed for any beneficiary of assistance under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-263, and 17b-689b shall, with intent to defraud, present for payment any false claim for goods or services performed, or accept payment for goods or services performed, which exceeds the amounts due for goods or services performed.

(b) Any person or vendor who defrauds or assists in defrauding any town as to the support of its paupers, or deceives the selectmen thereof in obtaining support for any person not entitled to the same, or is found in violation of subsection (a) of this section, shall be subject to (1) the penalties for larceny under sections 53a-122 to 53a-125b, inclusive, depending on the amount involved and (2) repayment to a town for the defrauded amount. In addition, any such person or vendor shall be subject to forfeiture of privileges of participation in the program provided under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-263, and 17b-689b. Any person or vendor who is convicted of violating this section shall be terminated from participation in such program, effective upon conviction. No vendor so terminated shall be readmitted to such program.

(c) Any person who defrauds the town to obtain any monetary award to which such person is not entitled, assists another person in so defrauding the town or with intent to defraud, or violates any other provision of sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, shall be subject to the penalties for larceny under sections 53a-122 and 53a-123, depending on the amount involved. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be terminated from participation in the program for a period of at least one year.

(1949 Rev., S. 2593; P.A. 76-301, S. 2; P.A. 84-464, S. 1; 84-471, S. 1, 3; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 12, 89; P.A. 95-194, S. 21, 33; 95-351, S. 6, 30; P.A. 96-169, S. 10; P.A. 02-89, S. 30; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 49; P.A. 19-118, S. 32.)

History: P.A. 76-301 increased maximum fine from $500 to $1,000; P.A. 84-464 added Subsec. (a) on vendor fraud and made the existing section Subsec. (b), specifying that vendors are subject to the penalty and adding the language on forfeiture of privileges of participation, termination effective upon conviction and readmission; P.A. 84-471 replaced fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year or both, with reference to penalties for larceny under Secs. 53a-122 to 53a-125b, inclusive, depending on amount involved; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provision for hearing prior to forfeiture of participation in program and added Subsec. (b) re person who defrauds the town to obtain monetary award to which he is not entitled; Sec. 17-282 transferred to Sec. 17b-127 in 1995; P.A. 95-194 added Subsec. (b)(2) providing for repayment to a town for the defrauded amount, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-351 required that a person found in violation of Subsec. (a) be subject to both Subdivs. (1) and (2), effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-169 amended Subsec. (b) to delete a reference to a three-year prohibition for a vendor terminated from participation in such program being readmitted to such program, thereby prohibiting him from being readmitted; (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive”, were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 and 17b-689b” or “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); P.A. 02-89 amended Subsecs.(a) and (b) to replace references to Sec. 17b-133 with references to Sec. 17b-132, reflecting the repeal of Sec. 17b-133 by the same public act, and amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act (Revisor's note: In 2005, references to repealed Sec. 17b-118b were deleted editorially by the Revisors in Subsecs. (a) and (b)); P.A. 19-118 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting reference to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.

Annotations to former section 17-282:

Cited. 209 C. 801; 213 C. 233.

Cited. 14 CA 272.

Sec. 17b-128. (Formerly Sec. 17-283). Reimbursement of towns or municipalities for relief. Recovery of overpayments. (a) Any person who receives relief from any town or municipality of this state shall be liable to reimburse such town or municipality for any moneys or relief received. Section 52-576 shall not be a bar to a recovery under this section.

(b) Any town that overpays a person receiving financial assistance under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, shall recover such overpayment from such person's ongoing assistance. The amount of such recovery shall not exceed ten per cent of such person's ongoing benefit in any month.

(1949 Rev., S. 642; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 13, 89; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 50; P.A. 19-118, S. 33.)

History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16 added Subsec. (b) re recovery of overpayments; Sec. 17-283 transferred to Sec. 17b-128 in 1995 (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive”, were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act; P.A. 19-118 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.

See Sec. 17b-122 re reimbursement of town by pauper.

Cited. 38 CA 522.

Sec. 17b-129. (Formerly Sec. 17-283a). Town's claim against proceeds of cause of action. Assignment of interest in estate to the town. Limitation. (a) If any beneficiary of aid under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, has a cause of action, a town that provided aid to such beneficiary shall have a claim against the proceeds of such cause of action for the amount of such aid or fifty per cent of the proceeds received by such beneficiary after payment of all expenses connected with the cause of action, whichever is less, which shall have priority over all other unsecured claims and unrecorded encumbrances. Such claim shall be a lien, subordinate to any interest the state may possess under section 17b-94*, against the proceeds from such cause of action, for the amount established in accordance with this section, and such lien shall have priority over all other claims except attorney's fees for such causes of action, expenses of suit, costs of hospitalization connected with the cause of action by whomever paid, over and above hospital insurance or other such benefits, and, for such period of hospitalization as was not paid for by the town, physician's fees for services during any such period as are connected with the cause of action over and above medical insurance or other such benefits. Where the state also has a claim against the proceeds of such cause of action under section 17b-94*, the total amount of the claims by the state under said section and the town under this subsection shall not exceed fifty per cent of the proceeds received by the recipient after the allowable expenses and the town's claim shall be reduced accordingly. The proceeds of such causes of action shall be assignable to the town for payment of such lien irrespective of any other provision of law except section 17b-94*. Upon presentation to the attorney for the beneficiary of an assignment of such proceeds executed by the beneficiary or his conservator or guardian, such assignment shall constitute an irrevocable direction to the attorney to pay the town in accordance with its terms.

(b) In the case of an inheritance of an estate by a beneficiary of aid under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive, fifty per cent of the assets of the estate payable to the beneficiary or the amount of such assets equal to the amount of assistance paid, whichever is less, shall be assignable to the town. Where the state also has an assignment of such assets under section 17b-94*, the total amount of the claims of the state under said section and the town under this subsection shall not exceed fifty per cent of the assets of the estate payable to the beneficiary and the town's assigned share shall be reduced accordingly. The Court of Probate shall accept any such assignment executed by the beneficiary and filed by the town with the court prior to the distribution of such inheritance, and to the extent of such inheritance not already distributed, the court shall order distribution in accordance therewith. If the town receives any assets of an estate pursuant to any such assignment, the town shall be subject to the same duties and liabilities concerning such assigned assets as the beneficiary.

(c) No claim shall be made, or lien applied, against any payment made pursuant to chapter 135, any payment made pursuant to section 47-88d or 47-287, any moneys received as a settlement or award in a housing or employment or public accommodation discrimination case, any court-ordered retroactive rent abatement, including any made pursuant to subsection (e) of section 47a-14h, or section 47a-4a, 47a-5 or 47a-57, or any security deposit refund pursuant to subsection (d) of section 47a-21 paid to a beneficiary of assistance under sections 17b-122, 17b-124 to 17b-132, inclusive, 17b-136 to 17b-138, inclusive, 17b-194 to 17b-197, inclusive, 17b-222 to 17b-250, inclusive, 17b-263, 17b-340 to 17b-350, inclusive, 17b-689b and 17b-743 to 17b-747, inclusive.

(P.A. 77-378; P.A. 81-69, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-277; P.A. 88-131; P.A. 91-225; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97; P.A. 04-76, S. 51; P.A. 07-44, S. 2; P.A. 08-45, S. 2; P.A. 19-118, S. 34.)

*Note: Section 17b-94 was repealed effective July 1, 2022, by section 514 of public act 22-118.

History: P.A. 81-69 removed the limitation that the town's claim against the proceeds of a cause of action be for only the “nonreimbursable” amount paid to beneficiary; P.A. 85-277 added option of claim for 50% of proceeds received by beneficiary after payment of expenses if less than the amount of aid and added Subsec. (b) re assignment of estate assets to town; P.A. 88-131 limited the amount a town and the state may claim of the proceeds of a cause of action received by a recipient in Subsec. (a) and limited the amount a town and the state may claim re the assignment of interest of a beneficiary in an estate in Subsec. (b); P.A. 91-225 added Subsec. (c) re prohibition on claims made or liens applied against certain payments to beneficiaries; Sec. 17-283a transferred to Sec. 17b-129 in 1995; (Revisor's note: The references to “17b-115 to 17b-138” and “17b-689 to 17b-693, inclusive,” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “17b-116 to 17b-138” and “17b-689, 17b-689b”, respectively, to reflect the repeal of certain sections by section 164 of June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, in repealing Secs. 17b-19, 17b-62 to 17b-65, inclusive, 17b-116, 17b-116a, 17b-116b, 17b-117, 17b-120, 17b-121, 17b-123, 17b-134, 17b-135, 17b-220, 17b-259 and 17b-287, authorized deletion of internal references to said sections in this section, effective March 1, 2004; P.A. 04-76 amended Subsecs. (a) to (c), inclusive, by deleting references to Secs. 17b-118b and 17b-221 that were repealed by the same act; P.A. 07-44 amended Subsec. (c) by adding “any moneys received as a settlement or award in a housing or discrimination case”, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 08-45 amended Subsec. (c) by exempting moneys received as settlement or award in public accommodation discrimination case from town's claim against proceeds of a cause of action; P.A. 19-118 amended Subsecs. (a) to (c) by deleting references to Sec. 17b-256, effective July 1, 2019.

Sec. 17b-130. (Formerly Sec. 17-284). Claims for supplies or assistance furnished to pauper. No individual shall have any claim against a town for supplies or assistance furnished to a pauper against the express directions of the selectmen and no individual, except a medical provider, shall have any such claim before he has given notice of the condition of such pauper to one of the selectmen of the town where the pauper resides.

(1949 Rev., S. 2594; 1971, P.A. 232; P.A. 83-575, S. 6, 10.)

History: 1971 act deleted provision placing paupers under control of selectmen; P.A. 83-575 added the exception for a medical provider, effective April 1, 1984; Sec. 17-284 transferred to Sec. 17b-130 in 1995.

Annotations to former section 17-284:

No recovery from town for support of person if such person has property. 4 C. 553; 5 C. 244; 34 C. 264; 68 C. 139. Notice to selectmen of the town where the pauper resides is indispensable. 6 C. 72. What constitutes “notice”. 18 C. 189; 43 C. 53; 112 C. 406. Selectmen not necessarily confined in the exercise of their powers to the limits of their own towns. 71 C. 724. Disclaimer by town to hospital fell short of express direction not to furnish aid. 112 C. 407. Cited. 139 C. 472; 146 C. 686; 149 C. 219.

Compliance with notice provisions of section is condition precedent to right of physician or hospital to recover against town for services rendered to resident thereof unable to pay for such services. 33 CS 765.

Sec. 17b-131. (Formerly Sec. 17-286). Funeral and burial allowance for indigent persons or beneficiaries under the state-administered general assistance program. Reductions. Disclosure of information regarding liquid assets. (a) When a person in any town, or sent from such town to any licensed institution or state humane institution, dies or is found dead therein and does not leave sufficient estate and has no legally liable relative able to pay the cost of a proper funeral and burial, or upon the death of any beneficiary under the state-administered general assistance program, the Commissioner of Social Services shall give to such person a proper funeral and burial, and shall pay a sum not exceeding one thousand three hundred fifty dollars as an allowance toward the funeral expenses of such decedent. Said sum shall be paid, upon submission of a proper bill, to the funeral director, cemetery or crematory, as the case may be. Such payment for funeral and burial expenses shall be reduced by (1) the amount in any revocable or irrevocable funeral fund, (2) any prepaid funeral contract, (3) the face value of any life insurance policy owned by the decedent that names a funeral home, cemetery or crematory as a beneficiary, (4) the net value of all liquid assets in the decedent's estate, and (5) contributions in excess of three thousand four hundred dollars toward such funeral and burial expenses from all other sources including friends, relatives and all other persons, organizations, agencies, veterans' programs and other benefit programs. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 17b-90, whenever payment for funeral, burial or cremation expenses is reduced due to liquid assets in the decedent's estate, the commissioner may disclose information concerning such liquid assets to the funeral director, cemetery or crematory providing funeral, burial or cremation services for the decedent.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and section 17b-84, the Commissioner of Social Services shall, upon submission of a proper bill, pay the maximum amount authorized under subsection (a) of this section to a funeral director, cemetery or crematory if the Chief Medical Examiner, or the Chief Medical Examiner's designee, certifies that, after an investigation, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was unable to locate any person with a connection to the decedent, including a relative or friend, who was willing to take possession of the decedent's remains, and that the decedent's remains were therefore transferred to such funeral director, cemetery or crematory for disposition.

(c) The Commissioner of Social Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 2596; 1949, S. 543b; 1953, 1955, S. 1428d; 1963, P.A. 438, S. 8; February, 1965, P.A. 625, S. 7; 1967, P.A. 151, S. 7; 1969, P.A. 730, S. 38; 1971, P.A. 691; 1972, P.A. 154, S. 2; P.A. 77-604, S. 11, 84; P.A. 78-337, S. 9, 11; P.A. 86-290, S. 4, 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 40, 63; P.A. 95-194, S. 11, 33; P.A. 96-209, S. 3; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 48; P.A. 04-16, S. 4; P.A. 06-188, S. 18; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 384; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 45; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 186; P.A. 19-117, S. 312; P.A. 22-58, S. 58.)

History: 1963 act raised funeral expenses from $150 to $200 and total expense from $300 to $400; 1965 act raised total burial expense to $450; 1967 act raised total burial expense to $500, substituted a “proper” for a “decent” burial and deleted casket description; 1969 act increased funeral expense limit to $250 and total expense limit to $600; 1971 act deleted reference to reimbursement from other towns; 1972 act replaced specific dollar limits on funeral and burial lot costs with reference to “the sum established” under Sec. 17-82n; P.A. 77-604 replaced incorrect reference to Sec. 17-82n with reference to Sec. 17-82q; P.A. 78-337 lumped funeral and burial expenses together with reference to Sec. 17-82q; P.A. 86-290 substituted reference to Sec. 17-81i for reference to Sec. 17-82q; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 amended section to reduce the expenses paid by the town for funeral and burial by the amount of any contributions, entitlements or benefit programs; Sec. 17-286 transferred to Sec. 17b-131 in 1995; P.A. 95-194 changed the maximum allowance towards funeral expenses that a selectman or public official may pay from “the amount established under 17b-84” to $1,200 and amended Subdiv. (4) by lowering the amount of contributions from all other sources from $3,600 to $2,000, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-209 amended Subdiv. (4) by increasing amount of exempted contributions from $2,000 to $2,800; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 substituted “chief executive officer” for “selectmen, or the public official charged with the administration of general assistance” re person responsible for giving a proper funeral and burial, changed “may” to “shall” re payment of sum not exceeding $1,200 toward funeral expenses, deleted “On and after October 1, 1991”, provided that “The Commissioner of Social Services shall reimburse such town for such burial”, deleted provision treating burial expenses as general assistance expenditure and deleted provision imposing $25 fine on any person burying or causing to be buried any person in violation of section, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-16 replaced reference to “chief executive officer of such town” with reference to “Commissioner of Social Services” re person responsible for giving proper funeral and burial and deleted provision re commissioner reimbursing town for burial expenses; P.A. 06-188 increased maximum funeral and burial allowance from $1,200 to $1,800 and provided that such allowance is payable “upon the death of any beneficiary under the state-administered general assistance program”, effective July 1, 2006; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 reduced state funeral and burial allowance from $1,800 to $1,400 and increased from $2,800 to $3,200 the amount that may be contributed to such cost before state subsidy is reduced, effective July 1, 2015; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 designated existing provisions re commissioner to give certain persons proper funeral and burial and payment of sum for same as Subsec. (a) and amended same to reduce maximum payment from $1,400 to $1,200, add new Subdiv. (4) re net value of liquid assets in decedent's estate, redesignate existing Subdiv. (4) re contributions from other sources as Subdiv. (5) and amend same to increase $3,200 to $3,400 and replace “veterans' and other benefit programs and other” with “veterans programs and other benefit programs”, and make technical changes, and added Subsec. (b) re adoption of regulations, effective July 1, 2016; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by adding “that names a funeral home, cemetery or crematory as a beneficiary”, and adding provision re disclosure of information regarding liquid assets whenever payment is reduced due to such assets, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 19-117 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing burial allowance from $1,200 to $1,350, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 22-58 added new Subsec. (b) re payments to funeral director, cemetery or crematory upon Chief Medical Examiner's certification and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c).

Annotation to former section 17-286:

Cited. 119 C. 151.

Sec. 17b-132. (Formerly Sec. 17-288). When property of deceased person whom town has supported may be sold. When any person supported at the expense of any town dies, leaving personal estate not exceeding fifty dollars in value, the selectmen of such town may sell it for the use of such town, unless some person interested in such estate takes out administration thereon within ninety days after such death.

(1949 Rev., S. 2598.)

History: Sec. 17-288 transferred to Sec. 17b-132 in 1995.

Sec. 17b-133. (Formerly Sec. 17-289). Establishment of almshouses; removal of mentally ill persons. Section 17b-133 is repealed, effective October 1, 2002.

(1949 Rev., S. 2599; 1955, S. 1431d; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 54; P.A. 02-89, S. 90.)

Secs. 17b-134 and 17b-135. (Formerly Secs. 17-292 and 17-292i). Reimbursement of towns; liability of pharmaceutical manufacturers for rebates. Reimbursement of municipalities for general assistance. Sections 17b-134 and 17b-135 are repealed, effective March 1, 2004.

(1949 Rev., 2603; 1953, S. 1434d; 1957, P.A. 202, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 35; 572, S. 3; 1961, P.A. 321; 425, S. 3; 517, S. 122; 1963, P.A. 68; 1967, P.A. 566, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 128, S. 1; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 76-301, S. 3; 76-356; 76-435, S. 28, 82; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 608, 610; P.A. 80-395, S. 3, 7; P.A. 81-214, S. 3; 81-449, S. 8, 11; P.A. 82-147, S. 3, 4; 82-214, S. 5, 6; P.A. 83-575, S. 8, 10; 83-587, S. 33, 96; P.A. 84-223, S. 1; P.A. 85-66, S. 1; 85-564, S. 6, 12; P.A. 86-415, S. 7; P.A. 88-317, S. 73, 107; P.A. 89-187, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-235; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 41, 42, 63; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 14, 68, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-395, S. 2; 93-418, S. 11, 13, 41; P.A. 94-127, S. 1, 2; P.A. 94-213, S. 6; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 72, 130; P.A. 95-194, S. 12, 23, 29, 33; 95-351, S. 5, 20, 30; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 59, 60, 165; P.A. 98-239, S. 20, 35; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 43, 53; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 97.)

Sec. 17b-136. (Formerly Sec. 17-293). Interstate transportation. Admission to state mental hospital. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services is authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states regarding the interstate transportation of poor and indigent persons and to arrange with the selectmen and institutional authorities for the acceptance and support of persons receiving public aid in other states in accordance with the terms of such reciprocal agreements.

(b) If such poor or indigent person is mentally ill, the superintendent or director of any state-operated facility as defined in section 17a-458 is authorized to admit and hold such person in accordance with the provisions of section 17a-502, except that the certificate required may be signed by a physician licensed in the sending state or may be signed by a commissioned medical officer of the United States armed forces or Public Health Service acting in the performance of his official duties. The superintendent or director may make application for the commitment of such person in the court of probate having jurisdiction in the town where such hospital is located and the Commissioner of Administrative Services shall collect, from the person or persons liable for his support, the amount expended for the support and benefit of such person in the manner provided in section 17b-223.

(1949 Rev., S. 2604; 1949, S. 1436d; 1949, 1955, S. 1438d; 1949, June, 1955, S. 1439d; 1959, P.A. 215; 1967, P.A. 314, S. 7; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 70, 608, 610; P.A. 81-93, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)

History: 1959 act provided that mental health commissioner rather than welfare commissioner institute commitment proceedings and deleted requirement they be recommended by person in charge of state hospital; 1967 act substituted commissioner of finance and control for welfare commissioner as the collecting agent in Subsec. (b); P.A. 75-420 generally replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with commissioner of administrative services and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance; P.A. 81-93 amended Subsec. (b) to conform the process for the commitment of mentally ill persons transported from another state to the process provided in Sec. 17-183 for the commitment of persons under an emergency certificate, except that the required certificate may be signed by a physician in the sending state, and transferred responsibility for the initiation of commitment proceedings from the commissioner of mental health to the superintendent or director of the facility; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-293 transferred to Sec. 17b-136 in 1995.

Annotation to former section 17-293:

Cited. 149 C. 223.

Sec. 17b-137. (Formerly Sec. 17-303). Disclosure of property of recipients of state aid, care or child support enforcement services. Disclosure of property of persons liable to support recipients or subject to IV-D support case investigation. Access to records. Automated data match system. High-volume automated administrative enforcement. (a)(1)(A) Any person who has in his possession or control any property of any person applying for or presently or formerly receiving aid or care or child support enforcement services, as defined in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, from the state or who is indebted to such applicant or recipient or has knowledge of any insurance, including health insurance or property currently or formerly belonging to him, or information pertaining to eligibility for such aid or care or services, and any officer who has control of the books and accounts of any corporation which has possession or control of any property belonging to any person applying for or receiving such aid or care or services or who is indebted to him, or has knowledge of any insurance, including health insurance or any person having in his employ any such person, shall, upon presentation by the Commissioner of Social Services, or the Commissioner of Administrative Services, or the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or a support enforcement officer of the Superior Court, or any person deputized by any of them, of a certificate, signed by him, stating that such applicant, recipient or employee has applied for or is receiving or has received such aid or care or services from the state, make full disclosure to such commissioner, such officer or such deputy of any such property, insurance, wages, indebtedness or information. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subparagraph, any health insurer, including a self-insured plan, group health plan, as defined in Section 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, service benefit plan, managed care organization, health care center, pharmacy benefit manager, dental benefit manager, third-party administrator or other party that is, by statute, contract or agreement, legally responsible for payment of a claim for a health care item or service, which may or may not be financially at risk for the cost of a health care item or service, shall, upon request of the Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee, provide any and all information in a manner and format prescribed by the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, to identify, determine or establish third-party coverage, including all information necessary to determine during what period a person, his or her spouse or his or her dependents may be, or may have been, covered by a health insurer and the nature of the coverage that is or was provided by the health insurer, including the name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, identifying number of the plan, plan type, types of covered services, effective dates of coverage and termination date for the policy holder. Such information shall be provided by such health insurer to the Commissioner of Social Services or the commissioner's designee not later than ninety days after the commissioner or the designee's initial request, and not less frequently than monthly thereafter. Such information shall also be provided by such health insurer to all third-party administrators, pharmacy benefit managers, dental benefit managers or other entities with which the health insurer has an arrangement to adjudicate claims for a health care item or service.

(B) At the request of the Commissioner of Social Services, any health insurer, including a self-insured plan, group health plan, as defined in Section 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, service benefit plan, managed care organization, health care center, pharmacy benefit manager, dental benefit manager, third-party administrator or other party that is, by statute, contract or agreement, legally responsible for payment of a claim for a health care item or service, which may or may not be financially at risk for the cost of a health care item or service, shall be required to allow the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, to conduct automated data matches to identify insurance coverage for recipients and the parents of recipients who are minors.

(2) (A) Such disclosure may be obtained in like manner of the property, wages or indebtedness of any person who is either: (i) Liable for the support of any such applicant or recipient, including the parents of any child receiving aid or services through the Department of Children and Families, or one adjudged or acknowledged to be the parent of a child; or (ii) the subject of an investigation in a IV-D support case, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231. Any company or officer who has control of the books and accounts of any corporation shall make full disclosure to the IV-D agency, as defined in subdivision (12) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, or to the support enforcement officer of the Superior Court of any such property, wages or indebtedness in all support cases, including IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231.

(B) The Commissioner of Social Services, the Commissioner of Administrative Services, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection or a support enforcement officer of the Superior Court, or any person deputized by any of them, may compel, by subpoena, the attendance and testimony under oath of any person who refuses to disclose in accordance with the provisions of this section, or of any person who is either: (i) Liable for the support of any such applicant or recipient; or (ii) the subject of an investigation in a IV-D support case, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, who refuses to disclose his own financial circumstances, and may so compel the production of books and papers pertaining to such information.

(C) The Commissioner of Social Services may subpoena the financial records of any financial institution concerning property of any person applying for or presently or formerly receiving aid or care from the state or who is indebted to such applicant or recipient. The Commissioner of Social Services may subpoena such records of any parent or parents of any child applying for or presently or formerly receiving assistance under the aid to families with dependent children program, the temporary family assistance program or the state-administered general assistance program.

(D) The commissioner, or a support enforcement officer of the Superior Court, or the person deputized by the commissioner or officer shall set a time and place for any examination under this subdivision, and any person summoned who, without reasonable excuse, fails to appear and testify or to produce such books and papers shall be fined fifty dollars for each such offense.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the IV-D agency shall have access, including automated access in the case of records maintained in automated data bases, to information contained in the following:

(A) Records of other state and local government agencies, including: (i) Vital statistics, including records of marriage, birth, death and dissolution of marriage; (ii) state and local tax and revenue records, including information on residence address, employer, income and assets; (iii) records concerning real and titled personal property; (iv) records of occupational and professional licenses and records concerning the ownership and control of corporations, partnerships and other business entities; (v) employment security records; (vi) records of agencies administering public assistance programs; (vii) records of the Department of Motor Vehicles; and (viii) records of the Department of Correction.

(B) Certain records held by private entities with respect to individuals who owe or are owed support, or against or with respect to whom a support order is sought, consisting of: (i) The names and addresses of such individuals and the names and addresses of the employers of such individuals, as appearing in customer records of public utilities, cable television companies, and cellular mobile telephone and other wireless telecommunications service providers, pursuant to a subpoena issued under subsection (a) of this section; and (ii) information, including information on assets and liabilities, on such individuals held by financial institutions.

(2) (A) The IV-D agency shall safeguard all information secured by or made available to it pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and shall not further disclose any such information except in connection with the administration of the title IV-D program.

(B) Any entity that provides access to or discloses any information in accordance with this subsection shall be relieved of any liability to any person for any such provision or disclosure.

(c) (1) The IV-D agency and financial institutions, as defined in section 469A(d)(1) of the Social Security Act, doing business in this state shall enter into agreements to develop and operate a data match system, using automated data exchanges to the maximum extent feasible, in which each such financial institution is required to provide for each calendar quarter the name, record address, Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number and other identifying information for each noncustodial parent who maintains an account at such institution and who owes past-due support, as identified by the IV-D agency by name and Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number. Upon completion of such matches, the commissioner shall reimburse such financial institutions for the reasonable documented costs of conducting the matches. For the purposes of this section, “account” means a demand deposit account, checking or negotiable withdrawal order account, savings account, time deposit account or money-market mutual fund account.

(2) A financial institution shall not be liable to any person for (A) disclosing information to the IV-D agency pursuant to this subsection, (B) encumbering or surrendering any assets held by such institution in response to a notice issued under subsections (d) and (e) of section 52-362d, or (C) any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(d) (1) For the purposes of this subsection, “high-volume automated administrative enforcement” means the identification of assets, through automated data matches with financial institutions and other entities, as provided in this section and required by federal law, and the seizure of such assets in accordance with subsections (d) and (e) of section 52-362d.

(2) The IV-D agency shall: (A) Use high-volume automated administrative enforcement, as defined in subdivision (1) of this subsection, to the same extent as in intrastate cases; and (B) promptly report the results of such enforcement procedure to the requesting state.

(3) Support Enforcement Services or the IV-D agency may, by electronic or other means, transmit to another state a request for assistance in enforcing support orders administratively, in a manner similar to this subsection, which request shall: (A) Include information that shall enable the state to which the request is transmitted to compare the information about the cases to the information data bases of such state; and (B) constitute a certification by this state (i) of the amount of support under an order the payment of which is in arrears, and (ii) that this state has complied with all procedural due process requirements applicable to each case.

(4) If the IV-D agency provides assistance under this subsection to another state concerning a case, such case shall not be considered transferred to the caseload of the IV-D agency.

(5) The IV-D agency shall maintain records of: (A) The number of requests for assistance received under this subsection; (B) the number of cases for which such agency collected support in response to such requests; and (C) the amount of such collected support.

(1949 Rev., S. 2621; 1951, 1953, S. 1453d; 1961, P.A. 262; 1967, P.A. 314, S. 8; 1971, P.A. 780; P.A. 73-18; P.A. 74-183, S. 215, 291; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 76-436, S. 184, 681; P.A. 77-614, S. 70, 587, 608, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 128, 136; P.A. 79-220; 79-631, S. 16, 111; P.A. 81-61, S. 4; 81-70; P.A. 83-295, S. 12; P.A. 90-213, S. 18, 56; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 12, 63; P.A. 93-262, S. 37, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 61, 165; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7, S. 9, 38; P.A. 99-193, S. 4, 16; P.A. 01-91, S. 2; P.A. 06-149, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2, S. 18; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4, S. 120; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 12-119, S. 4; P.A. 21-15, S. 95.)

History: 1961 act applied section to include persons receiving “care” from the state, added requirement for disclosure of “insurance or” property “currently or formerly” owned, added fathers of illegitimate children to those liable and deleted minimum of $10 for fine; 1967 act added the commissioner of finance and control as an enforcing agent for the section; 1971 act included reference to circuit court family relations officers and required disclosure of corporation books and accounts relating to property, wages or indebtedness in support cases; P.A. 73-18 made provisions applicable to persons currently or formerly receiving aid and included parents of children receiving aid under chapter 301 in liability; P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court with court of common pleas and family relations division with family relations office; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with commissioner of administrative services and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of income maintenance; P.A. 78-303 included commissioner of public safety as enforcing agency and in subpoena power; P.A. 79-220 included commissioner of human resources in enforcement power and clarified subpoenas to be made by income maintenance and human resources commissioners; P.A. 79-631 made technical correction; P.A. 81-61 deleted the provision that the commissioner of income maintenance may subpoena financial records “under the provisions of sections 36-9j, 36-9k and 36-9l”; P.A. 81-70 specified health insurance as property subject to disclosure; P.A. 83-295 replaced “family relations officer” with “family relations caseworker or support enforcement officer”; P.A. 90-213 deleted provisions relating to the responsibilities of the family relations caseworker; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 required insurance companies to conduct automated data matches to identify insurance coverage for recipients and parents of minor recipients and authorized reimbursement of companies for expenses of conducting the match; P.A. 93-262 replaced references to commissioners of income maintenance and human resources with commissioner of social services and deleted provision re human resources commissioner's right to obtain disclosures re assistance cases, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-303 transferred to Sec. 17b-137 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7 amended Subsec. (a) by adding references to child enforcement support services and IV-D agency and IV-D support cases and added Subsec. (b) re access of IV-D agency to vital statistics, tax and revenue records, assets, real and titled personal property records, records re occupational and professional licenses, records re corporations, employment security, public assistance, motor vehicles and Department of Correction, financial report and provisions re disclosure safeguards and liabilities and added Subsec. (c) re agreement re data match system between IV-D agency and financial institution, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-193 added Subsec. (d) re high-volume automated administrative enforcement, effective June 23, 1999; P.A. 01-91 amended Subsec. (d)(3) by changing “The Support Enforcement Division” to “Support Enforcement Services”; P.A. 06-149 amended Subsec. (a) to insert Subdiv. and Subpara. designators and make provisions of Subdivs. (2)(A) and (B) applicable to any person who is the subject of an investigation in a IV-D support case, amended Subsec. (b)(1)(B) to reference records held by cellular mobile telephone and other wireless telecommunications service providers, and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-2 amended Subsec. (a)(1)(A) by adding provisions re obligation of a health insurer who is legally responsible for payment of a health care item or service to provide information necessary to identify, determine or establish third party health insurance coverage, and amended Subsec. (a)(1)(B) by replacing “insurance companies licensed to do business in Connecticut” with “any health insurer” and provision delineating various entities that are deemed a health insurer, by deleting “when compatible data elements are available” re situations when a health insurer is required to conduct automated data matches, and by providing that any health insurer may be required to allow commissioner a designee to conduct automated data matches, effective July 1, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4 amended Subsec. (a)(1)(A) by making a technical change, effective July 1, 2007; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-119 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to make a technical change, add references to third-party administrator re any health insurer, require that information provided to commissioner include date of birth, Social Security number, plan type, types of services, dates of coverage and termination date and add provision re time periods for information to be provided to commissioner in Subpara. (A), and to add reference to third-party administrator re any health insurer and delete references to health insurer conducting and being reimbursed for data matches in Subpara. (B), effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 21-15 amended Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(i) by replacing “father of an illegitimate child” with “parent of a child”, effective January 1, 2022.

See Sec. 17b-745 re admissibility of evidence obtained under this section.

See Secs. 36a-42 and 36a-43 re disclosure of financial records by banks.

Sec. 17b-137a. Social Security number to be recorded on license applications, certain documents and death certificate. Confidentiality. (a) The Social Security number of the applicant shall be recorded on each (1) application for a license, certification or permit to engage in a profession or occupation regulated pursuant to the provisions of title 19a, 20 or 21; (2) application for a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit completed pursuant to subsection (a) of section 14-44c; and (3) application for a marriage license made under section 46b-25.

(b) The Social Security number of any individual who is subject to a dissolution of marriage decree, dissolution of civil union decree, support order or parentage determination or acknowledgment shall be placed in the records relating to the matter.

(c) The Social Security number of the deceased person shall be recorded on each death certificate completed in accordance with subsection (b) of section 7-62b.

(d) Any Social Security number of any individual on any record or document required pursuant to this section shall not be disclosed except as provided under section 17b-137.

(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7, S. 34, 38; P.A. 05-10, S. 17; P.A. 09-13, S. 15; P.A. 21-15, S. 94.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 05-10 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to apply provisions to an application for a civil union license under Sec. 46b-38hh and amended Subsec. (b) to apply provisions to the number of an individual subject to a dissolution of civil union decree; P.A. 09-13 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to delete reference to application for civil union license under Sec. 46b-38hh, effective October 1, 2010; P.A. 21-15 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “paternity” with “parentage”, effective January 1, 2022.

Sec. 17b-138. (Formerly Sec. 17-304). Conveyance of land by Commissioner of Social Services or his designee or Commissioner of Administrative Services. Any real estate to which title has been taken by foreclosure, or which has been conveyed to the state in lieu of foreclosure, on a claim of the Department of Social Services or the Commissioner of Administrative Services, may be sold, transferred or conveyed for the state by the Commissioner of Social Services or his designee or the Commissioner of Administrative Services, as the case may be, with the approval of the Attorney General, and either commissioner or the designee of the Commissioner of Social Services may, in the name of the state, execute deeds for such purpose.

(1955, S. 1454d; 1967, P.A. 314, S. 9; P.A. 77-604, S. 12, 84; 77-614, S. 70, 587, 608, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 83-127; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-435, S. 59, 95.)

History: 1967 act added the commissioner of finance and control; P.A. 77-604 replaced welfare department with department of social services in accordance with provisions of P.A. 75-420; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 replaced commissioner of finance and control with commissioner of administrative services and, effective January 1, 1979, added reference to department of income maintenance, successor agency to department of social services, but retained reference to social services because claims under former agency may still exist; P.A. 83-127 authorized income maintenance commissioner's designee to sell, transfer or convey real estate for the state and to execute deeds for such purposes; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-435 authorized the Revisors to delete the words “or income maintenance” in the phrase “department of social services or income maintenance”, effective June 28, 1993; Sec. 17-304 transferred to Sec. 17b-138 in 1995.

Secs. 17b-139 to 17b-178. Reserved for future use.

OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES.
CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGORS

Sec. 17b-179. (Formerly Sec. 17-578). Office of Child Support Services. Duties. Determination of parents' financial liability. Use of unemployment compensation for child support obligations. Recovery of costs. Fees. Electronic funds transfer and debit card access for support payments. Regulations. Annual report to General Assembly re child support enforcement program. (a) There is created within the Department of Social Services the Office of Child Support Services. The office shall be administered by a director and shall act as the single and separate organizational unit to coordinate, plan and publish the state child support enforcement plan for the implementation of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, as amended, as required by federal law and regulations. The office shall provide for the development and implementation of all child support services, including the administration of withholding of earnings, in accordance with the provisions of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, as amended.

(b) (1) The Commissioner of Social Services shall investigate the financial condition of the parent or parents of: (A) Any child applying for or receiving assistance under (i) the temporary family assistance program pursuant to section 17b-112, which may be referred to as “TFA” for the purposes of this section, or (ii) the Medicaid program pursuant to section 17b-261, (B) any child seeking IV-D child support enforcement services pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (h) of this section, and (C) any child committed to the care of the Commissioner of Children and Families who is receiving payments in the foster care program and for whom a referral to the Office of Child Support Services is made under section 46b-130, and shall determine the financial liability of such parent or parents for the child.

(2) The Office of Child Support Services may, upon notice to the obligor and obligee, redirect payments for the support of all such children to either the state of Connecticut or the present custodial party, as their interests may appear, provided neither the obligor nor the obligee objects in writing within ten business days from the mailing date of such notice. Any such notice shall be sent by first class mail to the most recent address of such obligor and obligee, as recorded in the state case registry pursuant to section 46b-218, and a copy of such notice shall be filed with the court or family support magistrate if both the obligor and obligee fail to object to the redirected payments within ten business days from the mailing date of such notice. All payments shall be distributed as required by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.

(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (2) of this subsection or subparagraph (F) of subdivision (1) of subsection (u) of section 46b-231, the Office of Child Support Services or a support enforcement agency under cooperative agreement with the Office of Child Support Services shall redirect payments for the support of children described in subparagraphs (A)(i) and (C) of subdivision (1) of this subsection to the state of Connecticut effective on the date of the assistance grant. Upon such redirection, the Office of Child Support Services or support enforcement agency shall notify the obligor and obligee as described in subdivision (2) of this subsection if assistance is being received by a new custodial party on behalf of such child and, if an objection to redirection is received in accordance with said subdivision (2), shall refund to the obligee of the support order any money retained by the state during the period of redirection that is due such obligee.

(c) The Office of Child Support Services shall enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate officials of the Judicial Branch and law enforcement officials to assist in administering the child support enforcement plan and with respect to other matters of common concern in the area of child support enforcement. Officers of the Judicial Branch and law enforcement officials authorized and required to enter into cooperative agreements with the Office of Child Support Services include, but are not limited to, officials of the Superior Court and the office of the Attorney General. Such cooperative agreements shall contain performance standards to address the mandatory provisions of both state and federal laws and federal regulations concerning child support.

(d) The Office of Child Support Services shall have authority to determine on a periodic basis whether any individuals who owe child support obligations are receiving unemployment compensation. In IV-D cases, the office may authorize the collection of any such obligations owed by an individual receiving unemployment compensation through an agreement with the individual or a court order pursuant to section 52-362, under which a portion of the individual's unemployment compensation is withheld and forwarded to the state acting by and through the IV-D agency. As used in this section, “unemployment compensation” means any compensation payable under chapter 567, including amounts payable by the administrator of the unemployment compensation law pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance or allowances with respect to unemployment.

(e) The Office of Child Support Services shall enter into purchase of service agreements with other state officials, departments and agencies which do not have judicial or law enforcement authority, including, but not limited to, the Commissioner of Administrative Services, to assist in administering the child support enforcement plan. The Office of Child Support Services shall have authority to enter into such agreements with the Labor Commissioner and to withhold unemployment compensation pursuant to subsection (d) of this section and section 31-227.

(f) The Office of Child Support Services shall have the sole responsibility to make referrals to the federal Parent Locator Service established pursuant to 88 Stat. 2353 (1975), 42 USC 653, as amended, for the purpose of locating deserting parents.

(g) The Office of Child Support Services shall have the sole responsibility to make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly for needed program legislation to ensure implementation of Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, as amended.

(h) (1) The Office of Child Support Services shall provide, or arrange to provide through one or more of the state officials, departments and agencies, the same services for obtaining and enforcing child support orders in cases in which children are not beneficiaries of TFA, Medicaid or foster care as in cases where children are the beneficiaries of TFA, Medicaid or foster care. Such services shall also be made available to residents of other states on the same terms as to residents of this state. Support services in cases other than TFA, Medicaid or foster care will be provided upon application to the Office of Child Support Services by the person seeking to enforce a child support obligation and the payment of an application fee, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (i) of this section.

(2) In addition to the application fee, the Office of Child Support Services may assess costs incurred for the establishment, enforcement or modification of a support order in cases other than TFA, Medicaid or foster care. Such assessment shall be based on a fee schedule adopted by the Department of Social Services pursuant to chapter 54. The fee schedule to be charged in such cases shall be made available to any individual upon request. The Office of Child Support Services shall adopt procedures for the notification of Superior Court judges and family support magistrates when a fee has been assessed upon an obligee for support services and a Superior Court judge or a family support magistrate shall order the obligor to pay any such assessment to the Office of Child Support Services. In cases where such order is not entered, the obligee shall pay an amount based on a sliding scale not to exceed the obligee's ability to pay. The Department of Social Services shall adopt such sliding scale pursuant to chapter 54.

(3) The Office of Child Support Services shall also, in the case of an individual who never received temporary assistance for needy families and for whom the state has collected at least five hundred fifty dollars of support in a one-year period, impose an annual fee of thirty-five dollars for each case in which services are furnished. The annual fee shall be (A) retained by the state from the support collected on behalf of the individual, but not from the first five hundred fifty dollars collected, (B) paid by the individual applying for the services, (C) recovered from the noncustodial parent, or (D) paid by the state.

(i) In child support cases other than TFA, Medicaid or foster care, the state shall impose an application fee in an amount necessary to comply with federal law and regulations under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, which fee shall be paid by the state. The amount of such fee shall be established by regulations adopted, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, by the Commissioner of Social Services and shall not exceed twenty-five dollars or such higher or lower amount as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services may determine to be appropriate for any fiscal year to reflect increases or decreases in administrative costs. The court in which a child support obligation is sought to be enforced may order the obligor to reimburse the state for such application fee. Recipients of TFA, Medicaid or foster care whose eligibility for aid is terminated shall be entitled to continuation of child support enforcement services without requiring an application or the payment of an application fee.

(j) (1) The Commissioner of Social Services may accept for deposit in the General Fund all allotments of federal funds, and shall conform to federal requirements necessary for the receipt of federal matching grants that are not prohibited by the general statutes, including, but not limited to, distribution of collected support and operation of an automated centralized collection and disbursement unit, which shall be known as the “State Disbursement Unit”.

(2) The commissioner may implement electronic funds transfer for all support payments processed through the State Disbursement Unit. The commissioner may establish a debit account at a financial institution, as defined in section 469A(d)(1) of the Social Security Act, for any recipient of support payments whose support payments are processed through the State Disbursement Unit and who does not establish and designate an account for the receipt of such payments by electronic funds transfer. Deposits to such account shall be limited to such support payments and accessible solely by means of a debit card that may be used to make purchases at participating retail outlets and obtain cash at automated teller machines. Any fees incurred for the use of such debit card, other than fees prohibited by this subsection or by agreement between the commissioner and the financial institution implementing the debit account, shall be the sole responsibility of the recipient of support payments for whom such account was established.

(3) No debit card system authorized under subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be implemented, and no contract to implement such system may be entered into by the commissioner, unless such system or contract provides that the financial institution holding the debit account: (A) Imposes no charges to recipients of support payments for use of the debit card at (i) a point of sale terminal, or (ii) an automated teller machine, including an automated teller machine outside of the financial institution's network, for withdrawals from the account up to the maximum number of withdrawals specified in such contract; (B) assures the availability of a substantial number of in-network automated teller machines in all regions of the state in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this subdivision; (C) provides the recipient, without fee: (i) An adequate mechanism for promptly determining on and after the date a deposit is made that a deposit has been received and credited to the recipient's account, and (ii) account balance information by telephone or on the financial institution's Internet web site; (D) provides the recipient, without fee, regular written monthly account transaction statements which, at the recipient's option, may be received by mail or on the financial institution's Internet web site; (E) provides to recipient accounts the full protections of Regulation E of the Federal Reserve Board, 12 CFR Part 205, as from time to time amended; (F) to the extent that fees are permitted, prohibits the assessment of fees against recipients that are not assessed by the financial institution against other users of debit cards; and (G) provides customer service to recipients in languages other than English.

(4) The commissioner, or the financial institution if such contract so requires, shall provide the recipient with a notice at the initial issuance of the debit card and at least annually thereafter that conforms to the requirements specified in this subdivision and is limited to the type of debit card account authorized by subdivision (2) of this subsection. The notice shall be in plain language and in an easily readable and understandable format and shall identify (A) all service and penalty fees and their amounts; (B) the procedure for reporting and replacing a lost or stolen debit card and the allocation of liability for its unauthorized use; (C) the procedure for reporting account errors and the allocation of liability for such errors; (D) the procedure for obtaining funds when a debit card is lost or stolen; (E) the possibility, if any, of overdrafts; and (F) other similar consumer information.

(k) Investigators employed by the Department of Social Services shall, pursuant to authority granted to such investigators by the commissioner, make service of any summons, subpoena or citation in IV-D support cases in the Superior Court or in the Family Support Magistrate Division. Investigators at the time of service shall coordinate with the clerk of the Superior Court and the assistant clerk of the Family Support Magistrate Division in setting a date for appearance before the court. When serving process issued by such court, the date for such appearance before the court shall be not less than twelve days from the date of service.

(l) The Office of Child Support Services shall arrange to provide a single centralized automated system for the reporting of collections on all accounts established for the collection of all IV-D support orders. Such reporting shall be made available to the Family Support Magistrate Division and to all state agencies which have a cooperative agreement with the IV-D agency. Such automated system shall include a state case registry which complies with federal law and regulations. The state case registry shall contain information on each support order established or modified in this state.

(m) The Commissioner of Social Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, which shall establish performance standards to address the mandatory provisions of both state and federal laws and federal regulations concerning child support as well as establish additional standards that may be deemed necessary in order to enhance child support enforcement.

(n) Each year, on or before April first, the IV-D agency, in accordance with section 11-4a, shall submit to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary and human services an assessment report on the administration and performance of the child support enforcement program during the preceding federal fiscal year. Such report may be submitted in electronic form.

(P.A. 76-334, S. 1, 12; P.A. 77-452, S. 53, 72; 77-614, S. 70, 521, 610; P.A. 79-190; 79-374, S. 2; 79-439, S. 1, 2; P.A. 80-70, S. 1; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 81-6, S. 1, 4; P.A. 82-325, S. 4, 6, 7; 82-433, S. 1; P.A. 85-548, S. 2; P.A. 86-359, S. 25, 44; P.A. 88-34; P.A. 89-302, S. 2, 7; P.A. 90-213, S. 17, 56; P.A. 91-391, S. 2; P.A. 92-253, S. 8; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-2, S. 2, 6; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 85, 117; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-329, S. 4, 14; 93-396, S. 2; 93-435, S. 59, 95; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 62, 165; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7, S. 10, 38; P.A. 99-193, S. 5; P.A. 03-89, S. 2; P.A. 03-268, S. 6; P.A. 06-149, S. 2, 3; P.A. 07-247, S. 2; P.A. 11-214, S. 2–4; 11-219, S. 1; P.A. 14-177, S. 1; P.A. 16-13, S. 4, 5; P.A. 18-98, S. 1; P.A. 21-148, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 77-452 deleted reference to court of common pleas in Subsec. (b); P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with commissioner of administrative services and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced commissioner and department of social services with commissioner and department of human resources; Sec. 17-2j transferred to Sec. 17-31i in 1979; P.A. 79-190 added new Subsec. re commissioner's investigation of parents' financial status and determination of their financial liability; P.A. 79-374 inserted new Subsec. re referrals to federal parent location service and deleted reference to deposit of federal funds in special identification account in Subsec. (a); P.A. 79-439 inserted new Subsec. re service agreements with other agencies, Subsecs. were presumably designated on basis of date of passage; P.A. 80-70 added Subsec. (b)(2) re children in care of children and youth services commissioner; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 81-6 added Subsecs. (g) and (h) re acceptance of federal funds and re collection fee; P.A. 82-325 deleted Subsec. (h) which had authorized the state to impose a collection fee upon the child and support obligation in non-AFDC cases in an amount necessary to comply with federal law and regulations; P.A. 82-433 added provisions re withholding of unemployment compensation to fulfill child support obligations in new Subsec. (d) and in Subsec. (e), formerly (d), relettering remaining Subsecs. accordingly and deleting references to human resources department as parent agency of child support enforcement unit; P.A. 85-548 amended Subsec. (a) by including administration of garnishment of earnings as function of the Connecticut child enforcement unit and inserted new Subsec. (h) re provision of child support enforcement services in non-AFDC cases by Connecticut child support enforcement unit, relettering former Subsec. (h) accordingly; P.A. 86-359 created bureau of child support enforcement within the department of human resources to be administered by a director, amended Subsec. (h) to provide for recovery of costs, in addition to application fee, in non-AFDC cases and added Subsecs. (j) and (k) re powers of investigators and provision of centralized automated system for reporting of collections on all accounts for IV-D support orders; P.A. 88-34 amended Subsec. (j) by changing date of appearance from not less than 14 days to 12 days from date of service; P.A. 89-302 amended Subsec. (a) by changing “garnishment” to “withholding”; P.A. 90-213 added provision in Subsec. (c) requiring cooperative agreements to contain performance standards, in Subsec. (d) provided the child support enforcement bureau with responsibility for IV-D cases and deleted the provision providing them with responsibility for non-aid-to-families-with-dependent-children cases, in Subsecs. (h) and (j) made technical changes, added a new Subsec. (l) allowing the commissioner of human services to adopt regulations establishing performance standards, added a new Subsec. (m) requiring the IV-D agency to submit a report detailing its activities as they relate to performance standards and a new Subsec. (n) requiring the legislative program review and investigations committee to review the components of the IV-D system; Sec. 17-31i transferred to Sec. 17-578 in 1991; P.A. 91-391 added new Subsec. (o) re review of support order in AFDC support case by Connecticut child support enforcement bureau and initiation of modification action before family support magistrate if substantial deviation from guidelines; P.A. 92-253 amended Subsec. (h) by changing “recover” to “assess”, adding provision that assessment shall be based on sliding fee schedule adopted by department of human resources, replacing “may order” with “shall order” and “reimburse the obligee for charges paid” with “pay such assessment”, and adding provision that where order is not entered, obligee shall pay amount based on sliding scale not to exceed obligor's ability to pay; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-2 added Subsec. (p) re late payment fees; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 amended Subsec. (h) to change reference to Subsec. (c) from (b) of Sec. 52-259; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-262 and 93-435 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-329 deleted former Subsec. (p) re late payment fees, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 93-396 added a Subdiv. in Subsec. (b) requiring the commissioner to investigate the parent or parents of any child seeking IV-D child support enforcement services and added a provision giving the bureau of child support enforcement authority to redirect payments to the state of Connecticut in certain circumstances, inserted new Subsec. (i) requiring the state to impose an application fee in non-AFDC child support cases, relettering former Subsecs. (i) to (l) as (j) to (m), respectively, deleted former Subsecs. (m) and (n) re duties of program review and investigations committee and former Subsec. (o) concerning a request by a parent for the Connecticut child support enforcement bureau to review the support order and initiate an action before a family support magistrate to modify such order and inserted new Subsec. (n) requiring the IV-D agency to submit report to judiciary and human services committees of the general assembly, relettering former Subsec. (p) as (o); Sec. 17-578 transferred to Sec. 17b-179 in 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 required the commissioner to investigate the parents of any child applying for or receiving assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families program, replaced “AFDC” with “TANF”, effective July 1, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-7 amended Subsec. (h) by making services available to residents of other states, amended Subsec. (j) by including distribution of collected support and operation of automated centralized collection and disbursement unit and amended Subsec. (l) by adding provision re state case registry of orders and modification which complies with federal law to be included in automated system on or before October 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-193 amended Subsec. (j) by adding reference to the State Disbursement Unit; P.A. 03-89 amended Subsec. (h) by deleting “by such person” re payment of application fee for support services in non-TANF support cases and amended Subsec. (i) by requiring the state to pay application fee for support services in non-TANF support cases and providing that the court may order child support obligor to reimburse the state for application fee; P.A. 03-268 amended Subsec. (n) to redefine content of annual assessment report submitted by IV-D agency, change due date of report from January first to April first, add reference to Sec. 11-4a and add “federal” re preceding fiscal year; P.A. 06-149 amended Subsec. (b) to make technical changes, insert new Subdiv. designators (1) and (2) and substitute Subpara. designators (A) to (C), inclusive, for existing Subdiv. designators (1) to (3), inclusive, amended Subsec. (b)(2) to reference the present custodial party, objection by the obligor or obligee and notice to the obligor and obligee, and to require that all payments be distributed as required by Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, and amended Subsec. (j) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and make technical changes therein and add Subdivs. (2), (3) and (4) re electronic funds transfer, debit card systems and contracts with financial institutions, effective June 6, 2006; P.A. 07-247 amended Subsec. (h) by dividing existing provisions into Subdivs. (1) and (2) and adding Subdiv. (3) re annual fee of $25 for services provided to individual who never received temporary assistance for needy families and for whom the state has collected at least $500 of support in a one-year period; P.A. 11-214 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to delete “for needy families” re temporary family assistance program and substitute “TFA” for “TANF”, amended Subsecs. (c) to (h) and (l) to substitute “Bureau of Child Support Enforcement” for “Connecticut Child Support Enforcement Bureau”, amended Subsecs. (h) and (i) to reference “TFA, Medicaid or foster care”, amended Subsec. (n) to provide that report may be submitted in electronic form, and made technical and conforming changes; P.A. 11-219 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to delete references to Secs. 17b-81, 17b-807 and 17b-808, to substitute “TFA” for “TANF”, delete “for needy families” re temporary family assistance program, add reference to Sec. 17b-112 and add reference to the Medicaid program in Subpara.(A), to add reference to Subsec. (h)(1) in Subpara. (B) and to add provision re referral made under Sec. 46b-130 in Subpara. (C), and added Subsec. (b)(3) re redirection of payments, objections and refunds; P.A. 14-177 amended Subsec. (l) by adding provisions re Bureau of Child Support Enforcement to establish, maintain and update a list of delinquent child support obligors and publish on Department of Social Services' web site the names, addresses and amounts owing of the 100 individuals having the highest delinquent child support obligations, and by defining “delinquent child support obligor”; P.A. 16-13 changed “Bureau of Child Support Enforcement” to “Office of Child Support Services” in Subsecs. (a) to (h) and (l), and made conforming changes, effective May 6, 2016; P.A. 18-98 amended Subsec. (h)(3) by increasing annual fee from $25 to $35 and amount exempted from fee from $500 to $550, effective April 1, 2019; P.A. 21-148 amended Subsec. (l) by eliminating requirement the office keep and publish a list of delinquent obligors, effective July 1, 2021.

Cited. 37 CA 105.

Sec. 17b-179a. Information sharing between Departments of Social Services and Revenue Services re assets and income of child support obligors. (a) On a quarterly basis, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, the Department of Social Services shall compile a list of child support obligors who have no visible earnings and shall transmit such list to the Department of Revenue Services. The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall promptly identify any such individuals who have any reported assets or income and transmit to the Department of Social Services the name, address and Social Security number of such individuals together with information on reported assets or income available for such individuals.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services and the Commissioner of Revenue Services shall enter into a purchase of service agreement which establishes procedures necessary for the administration of subsection (a) of this section.

(P.A. 96-268, S. 10, 34; P.A. 10-32, S. 160.)

History: P.A. 96-268 effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective May 10, 2010.

Sec. 17b-179b. Arrearage adjustment program. Factors for consideration. The Commissioner of Social Services shall establish an arrearage adjustment program in which the past due support owed by any obligor assigned and payable to the state acting by and through the IV-D agency may be adjusted. The commissioner, in deciding whether to adjust any arrearage of an obligor, shall consider among other factors, the likelihood of compliance with support obligations, the noncustodial parent's involvement in the life of any such child and any other contribution to the emotional well-being of any such child.

(P.A. 01-207, S. 11, 12.)

History: P.A. 01-207 effective July 1, 2001.

PART II

TEMPORARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE

Sec. 17b-180. (Formerly Sec. 17-85). Eligibility. Consideration of stepparent's income. Section 17b-180 is repealed, effective July 1, 1997.

(1949 Rev., S. 2894; 1949, 1951, 1953, S. 1622d; 1957, P.A. 34, S. 2; 58, S. 2; 1959, P.A. 633; 1961, P.A. 383, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 69, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 784, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 730, S. 6; P.A. 73-39, S. 1; P.A. 77-565; P.A. 79-510; P.A. 80-469, S. 1; P.A. 81-214, S. 2; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 81-5, S. 1, 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-34, S. 6, 8; P.A. 92-211, S. 1; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 164, 165.)

Sec. 17b-180a. Expedited application and eligibility determination. The Department of Social Services shall implement an expedited application and eligibility determination process for the temporary family assistance program to reduce state-administered general assistance program expenditures for those applicants potentially eligible for temporary family assistance.

(P.A. 95-194, S. 24, 33; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 63, 165; P.A. 04-76, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 95-194, S. 24 effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced references to aid to families with dependent children with temporary family assistance, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 04-76 replaced reference to “general assistance program” with reference to “state-administered general assistance program”.

(1961, P.A. 538, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 536; February, 1965, P.A. 409, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 131, S. 1; 784, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 730, S. 7; P.A. 75-399, S. 1, 2; 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 76-385, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 608, 610; Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 81-5, S. 2, 6; P.A. 82-43, S. 4; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-34, S. 1, 7, 8; P.A. 85-505, S. 2, 21; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 8, 41; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 164, 165.)

Sec. 17b-183. (Formerly Sec. 17-86f). Minor recipients of temporary family assistance allowed to retain assets for future identifiable education expenses. The Commissioner of Social Services shall allow a minor who is a recipient of temporary family assistance to retain assets for future identifiable education expenses.

(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 36, 89; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 64, 165.)

Sec. 17b-184. Client advisory board. Report. Section 17b-184 is repealed, effective July 1, 2021.

(P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 18, 41; 93-435, S. 59, 95; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 65, 165; P.A. 21-148, S. 12.)

Sec. 17b-185. Immunizations and health screenings for children; assistance from commissioner. Upon receipt of an application for benefits under the temporary family assistance program, the Commissioner of Social Services shall assist such applicants in securing age-appropriate and timely immunizations and health screenings for their children. A parent seeking assistance under such program shall be referred to the appropriate health agency where such immunizations and screenings are available.

(P.A. 94-90, S. 2; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 66, 165.)

History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced a reference to aid to families with dependent children with temporary family assistance, effective July 1, 1997.

Secs. 17b-186 to 17b-189. Reserved for future use.