1. 1. Standard The standard utilized to determine need shall be the current annual budget at the lower level of living for a retired couple as most recently determined by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for Portland, Maine, or budgets which are consistent with such a budget at the lower level of living, taking into account budget variances by marital status and living arrangements permited pursuant to Title XVI and regulations promulgated thereunder.

   [PL 1973, c. 790, §3 (NEW).]

PL 1973, c. 790, §3 (NEW).