Auxiliary Grants are funds administered by the state to supplement social security payments in some limited living situations. Historically, Virginia allowed the supplemental grants only in large institutional settings known as Assisted Living Facilities. In recent years, the Commonwealth expanded the program to allow for the supplemental payments in permanent supportive housing, a more integrated living arrangement.
The legislature is considering a bill to further expand the auxiliary grant program.
HB 1906 (Hope) and SB 1269 (Edwards) will allow the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to provide auxiliary grants to people residing in independent community living. Under the bills, “independent community living” means a housing setting in which an individual lives and receives necessary community-based services to assist with activities of daily living, including activities of daily living, in the least restrictive and most integrated setting practicable. The Senate bill will be in Senate Finance, the House bill has not yet been assigned to a committee.
Related to auxiliary grants, SB 1221 (Obenshain) requires assisted living facilities to have liability insurance. The bill will be in the Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services.
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia is available to educate policymakers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Please let us know of any issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at ga@dlcv.org or info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.