Nevada sets rules for temporary aid during extraordinary circumstances

The Division of Social Services would provide temporary cash, electronic benefits, vouchers, goods, or other in-kind help through the Silver State General Assistance Program. The program covers eligible people and households experiencing an extraordinary circumstance, such as a major disruption or reduction in public assistance benefits. The Division must operate the program within available funding. People approved for certain means-tested assistance programs would be presumed eligible, but regulations may exclude them for a particular circumstance. Regulations may also make other people eligible for a particular circumstance. The act becomes effective upon passage and approval; assistance would be provided for each extraordinary circumstance under the applicable eligibility rules.

The Division Administrator would set eligibility, application, payment, duration, privacy, and recordkeeping rules for the program. These rules would govern applicants, recipients, the Division, and entities that help administer or provide services under the program. During an extraordinary circumstance requiring quick action, the Administrator may skip the usual 30-day regulation notice process. The Administrator must provide as much advance notice as practicable and post the notice or regulations on the Division's website. Information about applicants and recipients may be used or disclosed only as allowed by state or federal law. The Administrator must submit an annual report about the program to state officials. The rules apply when the program is administered; annual reports are due by September 30 for the preceding fiscal year.

The Division would manage a dedicated account for program money, and state officials could transfer General Fund money into it. The account could receive legislative appropriations, state transfers, grants, gifts, and donations, and its money could be used only for the program. A General Fund transfer requires a Governor-declared extraordinary circumstance. The transfer must leave at least 5 percent of specified proposed state spending in the projected General Fund balance. The State Board of Examiners must review the request, and the Interim Finance Committee must independently approve and set the amount. Grant, gift, and donation money must follow the donor's terms and does not return to the General Fund at the end of the fiscal year. A transfer may occur after the required declaration and state reviews; transferred money remains available only for assistance related to that extraordinary circumstance.