“Extra money feels very good and I feel blessed”: Personal Needs Allowance increased for Floridians with disabilities

Press release from Agency for Persons with Disabilities
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), in partnership with the Florida Legislature, memorialized the increase of Personal Needs Allowance (PNA), which is essential funding that promotes community living for those with unique abilities. The Framework for Freedom Budget for Florida Fiscal Year 2023-24 includes funding to advance quality care to help ensure that Florida’s long-term care profession can continue meeting the needs of the state’s vulnerable seniors and people with unique disabilities.
“Florida is leading the way, especially when it comes to prioritizing those with unique abilities and their families,” said APD Director Taylor Hatch. “We are incredibly appreciative of the Governor and First Lady for their leadership and our partnership with the Florida Legislature to ensure the individuals we serve have every opportunity to thrive.”
Effective on August 17, eligible individuals residing in an APD-licensed group home and receiving a social security benefit will receive a minimum monthly benefit of $164.52 a month, compared to the federal rate of $30. No additional action is required on behalf of the eligible individual to receive this increase. The PNA is used to help pay any additional costs the individual may have, such as haircuts, clothing, and toiletries.
“This is a major victory for Floridians with unique abilities,” said Senator Jason Brodeur. “This measure empowers eligible individuals with unique abilities to keep more of the money they deserve in their pockets.”
“Extra money feels very good and I feel blessed,” said George W., an APD Client. “With this help, I am going to get new boots and a cowboy hat to go with it.”
Marxist welfare for people to buy cowboy hats. Great use of our tax dollars. Maybe the Governor should campaign on a promise to take this national.
Why do people like you think you’re paying everyone’s bills. Get a clue.
Well, yes, you have a point. People oughta buy their own cowboy boots.
Is this for people with unique abilities or unique disabilities? The press release contradicts itself. Either way, it’s just another inch towards a complete welfare state. Corporations loves this stuff…more money in their pockets (ie Walmart receives around a fifth to a quarter of all EBT funds).
I appreciate any help we can get from the governor or anyone associated with him and the work he does to help each of us, even the little people who can’t make it to the voting booths all the time.
It’s nice to see at least one person who appreciates this. If people knew that these group homes take theirs whole check for living there. There isn’t much left over for personal needs
And so many people abuse this, our tax millions$$$$. I see people with handicap stickers on their cars that walk perfectly well too many times. Just like our welfare system is being abused by life time welfare parasites.
Sometimes they have back issues and can only walk so far like me.
All systems or their managing agencies are prone to abuse regardless of precautions.
The question becomes, should these systems be judged by the better good they do, their abuse or by them being abused?
I have a handicapped relative in residential care and any increased stipend is surely appreciated but the potential abuse is who and how that money is managed on that person’s behalf.
I’m disabled but live on my own will I be eligible
Cathy they way I read it is only individuals living in a group homensetting.