PM 05-08-09: Allowing Expenses for Group Home Residents

WAG 05-08-09

For group homes, use a special calculation to determine the amount of medical expense for group home services. See PM 13-01-05-a and WAG 13-01-05.

For shelter expenses, allow the amount the group home states the customer pays for shelter expenses as a housing cost for Food assistance benefits (see PM 13-01-08-a). Also allow the telephone standard as a utility expense if the household pays for their own private telephone.

A resident of a group home does not qualify for use of the Air Conditioning/Heating Standard, Limited Utility Standard, or the Single Utility Standard (see PM 13-01-08-b). A resident of a group home may qualify for the Telephone Standard if they pay for their own private telephone.

Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA)

Residents of group homes licensed under the Community Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act are entitled to keep a Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) from their income prior to shelter and medical expenses being calculated. Effective January 1st 2026, the PNA is subject to increase annually at the same rate as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment that takes place on January 1st of each year.