SECTION 1. The fourth paragraph of section 2 of chapter 118 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking said paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following new paragraph:-

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the payment standards for monthly benefits for the program not including the rental allowance shall be increased effective July first of each year beginning with July 1, 2019 by 10 percent above the payment standard in effect in the previous fiscal year until the payment standard for the household size equals 50 percent of the federal poverty level for the household size; provided further, that once the payment standard for the household size equals 50 percent of the federal poverty level for the household size, the payment standard shall be increased effective July first of each year in order that the payment standard shall be no less than 50% of the poverty level for the household size as determined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services;

provided further, that the need standard and the payment amounts shall be further increased by the amount of a clothing allowance in the month for which it is paid and by the rental allowance for households incurring a rent or mortgage expense and not residing in public or subsidized housing.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of chapter 117A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following new paragraph:-

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the payment standards for monthly benefits for the program shall be increased effective July first of each year beginning with July 1, 2019 by 10 percent above the payment standard in effect in the previous fiscal year until the payment standard for the household size equals 50 percent of the federal poverty level for the household size; provided further, that once the payment standard for the household size equals 50 percent of the federal poverty level for the household size, the payment standard shall be increased effective July first of each year in order that the payment standard shall be no less than 50% of the poverty level for the household size as determined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.