04/16/2026

Advocacy Action: Engage Resident Councils on Personal Needs Allowance

Since the passage of the SFY 2027-2028 biennial budget last summer, LeadingAge Ohio has heard from members and residents alike who are frustrated with the budget’s omission of assisted living residents from the important increase to the personal needs allowance. Now, we are asking members to engage their residents in advocacy to increase visibility and demand action.

The personal needs allowance, which is the amount of income that a resident is able to keep to pay for small purchases like haircuts, cellular service, or a meal out with friends, became a priority for the DeWine Administration in the months leading up to the budget process, when a resident council wrote to the administration requesting that the amount be increased. The purchasing power of the monthly amount had diminished over time and had not been increased in many years. Once the bill was passed, however, it became clear that the Administration only intended to increase the amount for individuals residing in nursing facilities and not those who are part of the assisted living waiver program. 

This is particularly challenging because individuals in assisted living often have higher personal expenses than those in nursing facilities, and it also serves to discourage moving to a lower-cost care setting. 

LeadingAge Ohio has drafted talking points for members explaining the solution, as well as a draft letter for residents. We strongly encourage members to make these tools available to their resident advocates, including sharing them with their assisted living resident councils. While member advocacy is welcome, we believe that residents will have the strongest voice and impact on the Administration to address this issue. 

Additionally, this week, Representative Click (R-Tiffin) introduced HB 822, which would increase the personal needs allowance for all long-term care settings to $100 per month.