Number: 105-12
Date: September 22, 1998

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
MARKUP OF H.R. 4558, THE "NONCITIZEN BENEFIT CLARIFICATION AND OTHER TECHNICAL AMENDMENT ACT OF 1998"

 

On September 18, 1998, the House Ways and Means Committee marked up
H.R. 4558, the "Noncitizen Benefit Clarification and Other Technical Amendment Act of 1998," and reported it out of committee by a unanimous vote.  Full House consideration of the bill will be held on September 23, 1998.

Below are descriptions of the SSA-related provisions in H.R. 4558 as marked up by the Ways and Means Committee.

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) PROVISIONS

Continuing Eligibility for Certain Aliens Receiving Benefits in August 1996

  • Would permanently extend the eligibility of all "nonqualified" noncitizens who were receiving SSI benefits when the welfare reform law was passed in August 1996 (P.L. 104-193). Their benefits had been previously extended through September 30, 1998, by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33)

Disregard of Awards Made to Children on SSI Because of Life-Threatening Conditions

  • Would exclude, from SSI eligibility and benefit determinations, in-kind gifts not converted to cash and the first $2,000 annually of cash gifts made by tax-exempt organizations, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to individuals under age 18 with life-threatening conditions.

Would apply to gifts made on or after the date that is 2 years before the date of enactment.

Enhanced Recovery of SSI Overpayments from Social Security Benefits

  • Would authorize SSA to collect SSI overpayments by offsetting Social Security benefits, with a maximum monthly offset of no more than 10 percent of the Social Security benefit.  (Currently, such recovery of SSI overpayments from Social Security benefits may be made only with the agreement of the overpaid individual.)

            Would be effective upon enactment.