The Aging Network

July 8, 1997

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
AoA-IM-97-17

TO : STATE AGENCIES ADMINISTERING PLANS UNDER TITLE III AND TITLE VII OF THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 1965, AS AMENDED

SUBJECT : State Option to Issue Food Stamp Benefits to Legal Noncitizens Made Ineligible by Welfare Reform

REFERENCES: Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 1997 (P.L. 105-18)
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996

Attached for your information, and to guide action you may wish to take, is a section of the FY 1997 Supplemental Appropriations Act that provides a state option to issue food stamp benefits to legal immigrants made ineligible by welfare reform. The states may purchase food stamps from the federal government for use in a state-funded food assistance program. The states have complete flexibility in structuring their food assistance program.

This option is available permanently to all states. Terminations of food stamp benefits have been phased in and will be completed by August 22. Transitioning current recipients to a state-funded program will be easier than first terminating them and then taking reapplications.

If your state has or considers establishing a state-funded food assistance program, you may wish to consider seeking coverage for low-income older legal noncitizens.

INQUIRIES : Inquiries should be addressed to Regional Administrators on Aging, HHS regional offices.

William F. Benson
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging

Attachment:
Pub.L. No. 105-18, State Option to Issue Food Stamp Benefits to Certain Individuals Made Ineligible by Welfare Reform