Published on September 08, 2025
Advocates for older adults and people with disabilities are calling on New York State lawmakers to raise the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for residents residing in nursing facilities. Residents whose nursing home stay is paid for by Medicaid are entitled to a Personal Needs Allowance which is a small portion of the residents’ income that they are allowed to keep to pay for personal expenses that are not covered by Medicaid. Such expenses include clothing, toiletries, snacks, beauty/barber services, cell phone services, writing materials like stamps and stationery, hobby materials and much more.
The current Personal Needs Allowance is $50, and this amount has not been raised since 1988. This figure has not kept pace with the rising cost of living and to put into perspective, $50 in 1988 is equivalent to more than $140 today. This current amount is set by NY state law and must go through a formal budget process in order to be increased. Law makers are urged to include an increase in the PNA in the upcoming state budget, ensuring that residents can live with dignity and meet their most basic personal needs.
The financial hardship forced upon the residents who live in nursing facilities by the $50 PNA is unacceptable. Please call on New York State to include a substantial increase in the PNA along with annual adjustments for inflation. To voice your support please sign the petition by visiting https://forms.office.com/g/urMXCZJy42
The local NYS Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is provided through the Tompkins County Office for the Aging and advocates for people who live in long term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living and board and care homes. This program covers Chemung, Schuyler and Tompkins Counties. To learn more about the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program visit https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Aging/Services-of-Our-Office/Long-Term-Care-Ombudsman-Program
Please visit the Tompkins County Office for the Aging website.
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