Extract
Major Welfare Reforms Enacted in 1996
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During the second session of the 104th Congress, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law (P.L.) 104-193) was enacted into law on August 22, 1996. Reversing the policy in effect for over 60 years, the Act repealed the open-ended Federal entitlement program known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children, replacing it with a new program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which will provide block grants to States to be spent on time-limited cash assistance. The comprehensive legislation also made far-reaching changes to child care, the Food Stamp program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for children, benefits for legal immigrants, and the Child Support Enforcement Program. Modifications to child nutrition programs and a reduction in the Social Services Block Grant also were included in the new Act. Current law remains in force for other child welfare and child protection programs. Highlights of changes in Social Security law will be examined along with the major provisions enacted in social welfare programs. Social Security Provisions Limited Eligibility of Noncitizens Social Security benefits.-The payment of Social Security benefits to any noncitizen in the United States who is not lawfully present (as determined Supplemental Security Income benefits.-SS1 eligibility is denied for all noncitizens except the following: l certain active duty Armed Forces personnel, honorably discharged veterans, and their spouses and dependent children; and l lawful permanent residents who are credited with 40 quarters of coverage for Social Security purposes. An individual will be credited with all quarters of coverage earned by his or her parent during the period the individual was under age 18, and a married individual (including widow(er)s) with all quarters of coverage earned by his or her spouse during the marriage. However, for quarters earned after December 3 1, 1996, a quarter will not count as one of ...See the full content of this document
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