Number:  112-3
Date:  October 18, 2011

Senate Passes S. 1721
The SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011

On October 17, 2011, the Senate passed by voice vote S. 1721, the SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act of 2011.  The bill would extend for 1 year the refugee eligibility policy that was previously authorized for a 3-year period (fiscal years 2009 through 2011) by the 2008 extension law, the SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act (P.L. 110-328).  The bill now moves to the House for further action.

Following are the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) extension provisions:

• Would continue to extend the 7-year SSI eligibility period for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian immigrants (including victims of human trafficking) to 9 years during the period of October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012, if they sign a declaration indicating they have made a good faith effort to pursue U.S. citizenship; 
  
  
• Would continue to exempt from time-limited SSI eligibility these specified noncitizens (defined above) during the period of October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012, if they have naturalization applications pending or if they are awaiting the citizenship swearing-in ceremony; and, 
  
  
• Would be effective retroactively, beginning October 1, 2011, and would expire September 30, 2012.