Speech #1050046563

I strongly support the provision that will allow any permanent resident who was receiving supplemental security income [SSI] as of the enactment of last years welfare bill. August 22. 1996. to continue to do so. I believe the noncitizen provisions in the Balanced Budget Act are compassionate and fair. By grandfathering everyone currently on SSI. it does not require anyone to undergo an eligibility redetermination process. I consider this to be essential. since those on SSI are some of our most vulnerable members of societypoor. elderly. and disabled. Imagine telling an 85yearold widow who qualified for SSI under the elderly category that she may. or may not. lose her benefits based on whether the SSI employees determine her to be disabled as well as elderly. The disability determination process can be lengthy. detailed. and often full of uncertainties. especially for those with a limited command of English. I did not support eliminating SSI for those noncitizens already on the rolls last year. and I continue to oppose any efforts to take away benefits for this group of people. Subjecting 300.000 poor. elderly aliens to the SSI redetermination process is unjust. I have been working closely with the Polish and Hispanic communities in my district to restore what I view as harmful cuts in benefits passed as part of the welfare bill. I cannot think of one group of people more vulnerable than the elderly and disabled dependent on supplementary security income. In addition to grandfathering all noncitizens on SSI as of last August. I support efforts to provide a bridge to those noncitizens who become disabled in the future. Legal permanent residents need to be aware of their options in the future. before they become disabled. If they work. or their spouse works. for 40 quarters. serve in the military. or become a U.S. citizen. legal residents will qualify for SSI. I am optimistic that most permanent residents will be prepared to meet at least one of these criteria and so protect themselves in case of a disabling accident. As a bridge. for legal residents not qualified for SSI but who are borderline. I support a transition period so that noncitizens who came to the United States under the old rules and who are already borderline disabled or disabled but supported by family would be able to receive help. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the noncitizens provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.