Residents; contribution to support.

(1)(a) Each resident of the home who receives a pension, compensation, or gratuity from the United States Government, or income from any other source of more than $100 per month, with adjustments in accordance with paragraph (b), shall contribute to his or her maintenance and support while a resident of the home in accordance with a schedule of payment determined by the administrator and approved by the director. The total amount of such contributions must be to the fullest extent possible, but may not exceed the actual cost of operating and maintaining the home.

(b) Whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts payable under Title II of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 401 et seq., as a result of a determination made under s. 215(i) of such act, 42 U.S.C. s. 415(i), the administrator shall increase the amount that each resident shall be allowed to retain. The increased amount will be determined by the percentage used to increase the benefits under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 401 et seq. This first such increase to residents’ personal use funds will take place on January 1, 2004, and shall be continued each ensuing year that there is an increase in benefits under the said act.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), each resident who participates in a vocational rehabilitation or work incentive program shall contribute to his or her support in an amount that is determined by the administrator and approved by the director, is computed at 50 percent of the resident’s net earnings after taxes and after the setoff of the first $100 per month, and does not exceed the cost of care. The resident is required to authorize the administrator of the home to secure from the employer sufficient information to verify the resident’s earnings under the program.

(3) The administrator may, if there is room, admit to residency in the home veterans who have sufficient means for their own support, but are otherwise eligible to become residents of the home, on payment of the full cost of their support, which cost and method of collection shall be fixed by the administrator.