Topic: Hardship Waivers
Sponsor: Representative Phil Phelps (D)
Introduced: October 24, 2017
Status: Enacted December 21, 2017
Effective Date: March 21, 2018
ISSUE WITH CURRENT LAW: As of 2013, the Agency must grant a claimant’s hardship waiver application if the claimant’s disposable household income falls below the Federal Poverty Line. However, the Agency does not currently comply with the 2013 change.
WHAT THE NEW BILL DOES:
- The Agency must grant a claimant’s hardship waiver application if the claimant’s average net household income and household cash assets falls below 150% of the Federal Poverty Line.
- The claimant may only apply for a waiver once every 6 months.
- The Agency must present a written report to the legislature detailing the previous year’s statistics on waivers.
HOW THE NEW BILL HELPS CLAIMANTS:
- Increasing the threshold to 150% will enable more claimants to qualify for hardship waivers.
- The Agency’s written annual report will enable claimants’ advocates to ensure the Agency is complying with the text of the bill and is properly issuing hardship waivers.