Social Security Legislative Bulletin

The President Signs H.R. 2646 into Law "Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002"

On May 13, 2002, the President signed H.R. 2646 (P.L. 107-171) into law, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Specific bill provisions of interest to SSA follow.

Pilot Projects for Improved Access to Benefits

• Would provide Federal funding of up to $5 million for each fiscal year 2003-2007 for access and outreach pilot projects for States to improve the process of applying for food stamps, SSI, Medicaid, SCHIP, and other benefits programs, and for coordinating application and eligibility determination processes with such programs.

Legal Immigrant Children

• Would restore eligibility for food stamps for all legal immigrant children regardless of their date of entry into the United States effective October 1, 2003.

Qualified Aliens

• Would restore food stamp eligibility for qualified alien adults who are receiving disability benefits regardless of date of entry effective October 1, 2003.

• Would provide food stamp eligibility to any otherwise eligible qualified aliens who have continuously resided in the United States for 5 years or more. The provision would be effective April 1, 2003.

On May 8, 2002, the Senate passed the conference report by a vote of 64-35. The House passed the conference report on May 2, 2002 by a vote of 280-141.