State lawmaker proposes increase for nursing home allowance

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SYRACUSE — Nursing home residents would see an increase in their Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) which can be used for such general expenses as toiletries, haircuts and personal items like clothing and shoes, under a proposal by State Sen. John W. Mannion, D-50, Syracuse.

The current PNA — which ranges from $35-$90 per month depending on circumstances such as being a veteran — has not changed since being set in 1988.

Mannion’s bill, which was announced on Tuesday, proposes small increases in the PNA for a typical nursing home resident and would range from $50 to $128 per month. This proposed increase is based on the rise in inflation since the allowance was last raised, the announcement said.

“Senior citizens and nursing home residents deserve to live with dignity and respect — and that includes having the resources they need to cover their personal expenses without worry,” Mannion said. “The PNA has not increased in over three decades — it is well past time that we address this significant quality-of-life issue on behalf of New York’s seniors.”