Department of Health and
Human Services
Administration on Aging
The Aging Network
Information Memoranda |
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May 29, 1997
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
AoA-IM-97-10
TO : STATE AND AREA AGENCIES ADMINISTERING PLANS UNDER TITLE III AND TITLE VII AND INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS UNDER TITLE VI OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 1965, AS AMENDED
SUBJECT : Restrictions on Noncitizens for Federal Public Benefits: Update
REFERENCES: The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
Attached are four sets of material to guide action you may wish to take relating to the restrictions on noncitizens in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).
The first set provides information concerning the individuals who received a notice concerning their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, in February and March, from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Lists of these individuals are available to each state and local agencies enlisted by the states to serve as their agents. You may wish to use these lists for purposes of outreach and to provide information and assistance to older individuals who wish to become naturalized citizens or to remain or become eligible for SSI benefits.
Current plans are for SSA to send notices of suspension of SSI benefits in the first week of August to those individuals who may not be eligible for these benefits. On receipt of this notice, the individual has ten (10) days to appeal the determination and continue benefits during the first level of appeal. Individuals who become eligible during the one year covered by the suspension, through naturalization or other evidence of eligibility, will not have to submit a new application.
The second set of materials provides summary information on the President's budget proposals to remedy some of the hardships due to the restrictions in PRWORA. It is important to emphasize that the budget agreement between the President and the congressional leadership requires approval by several committees before enactment. It is critical that older noncitizens do not postpone taking the necessary steps to become naturalized citizens and promptly contact SSA if they received a notice in February or March concerning their SSI benefits.
The third set of materials provides information obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the characteristics of participants in the Foodstamp Program. The fourth set of materials includes information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice and SSA.
For information on reasonable accommodation and exceptions from English and civics testing requirements for naturalization applicants with disabilities, please refer to AoA-IM-97-06, dated March 18, 1997.
We shall provide additional information to you as soon as this becomes available.
INQUIRIES : Inquiries should be addressed to Regional Administrators on Aging, HHS Regional Offices
William F. Benson
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
4 Attachments:
Information about noncitizens who receive SSI benefits
President's budget proposals concerning legal immigrants
Information on participants in the Foodstamp Program
Information on naturalization, Social Security number and SSI for noncitizens