HB 454 -- SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD STAMP ASSISTANCE

SPONSOR:  Jetton

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Senior Citizens Advocacy by a vote of 9 to 0.

This bill authorizes the Family Support Division within the
Department of Social Services to assist elderly individuals who
qualify for the federal Food Stamp Program in obtaining
supplemental food stamps.  Subject to appropriation, households
comprised of one or two elderly individuals who are at least 65
years of age will be entitled to receive supplemental assistance.

Qualified households consisting of one eligible elderly
individual will receive supplemental assistance; however, the
benefit combined with the aid the individual receives under the
federal program cannot exceed $30 per month.  Qualified
households of two eligible elderly individuals cannot receive
combined assistance exceeding $60 per month.

The provisions of the bill will expire August 28, 2009.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Greater
than $2,852,942 in FY 2008, Greater than $3,101,668 in FY 2009,
and Greater than $543,038 in FY 2010.  No impact on Other State
Funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that there is a need for additional
food stamp assistance for low-income elderly citizens.
Increasing the assistance helps the low-income elderly live in
their homes longer and keeps them healthier.  Helping the
low-income elderly is the morally right thing to do.

Testifying for the bill were Speaker Jetton; Missouri Association
for Social Welfare; Missouri Alliance of Area Agencies on Aging;
Silver Haired Legislature; and AARP.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am