For people who live in nursing homes, all of their income except for $50 a month goes to the nursing home to pay for their care. This $50, called a Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) has not been increased in almost 40 years; 1988. $50 is not a livable amount of money and has not kept pace with inflation or the rising cost of everyday goods.

The financial hardship forced upon our elders who live in nursing homes by the $50 PNA is not acceptable. They should not struggle to afford basic comforts of living, for example, clothing, toiletries, personal phone, favorite food, birthday cards, and more.

Federal law allows New York State to set the PNA up to $200 per month. Prior attempts have been made to increase the PNA. Those attempts have failed as they have not made it into the New York State Budget.

This year there are 2 Bills S4744 and A2048, I petition you as my representative to do what is necessary to get one of these bills enacted in the budget. This is a long overdue adjustment to the PNA for our residents.

The time is now to advocate and call on New York State to include a substantial increase in the PNA along with annual adjustments for inflation!