I encourage all Members to join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation. DEAR REPRESENTATIVE. Representing a diverse crosssection of organizations from across the country. we write to you today to ask that you support H.R. 2608--the "SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act." This bipartisan bill is a critical lifeline to thousands of elderly and disabled refugees who are about to lose. or have already lost. their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits due to the arbitrary sevenyear time limit to which their eligibility is limited. This bill. Introduced by Representatives Jim McDermott (D7th WA) and Jerry Weller (Rlth IL). Chair and Ranking Member. respectively. of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support. will provide a twoyear extension of SSI eligibility for elderly and disabled refugees. as well as a provision to cover those who lost benefits prior to enactment of the legislation. The bill will also ensure that refugees who are making efforts to become citizens. but are caught up in the processing backlogs through no fault of their own. are given additional time to naturalize. H.R. 2608 will provide vital relief to thousands of refugees who have already fallen into extreme destitution. The number of people who are losing their lifesustaining SSI benefits. in large part due to delays in the immigration system beyond their control. is climbing. The Social Security Administration currently projects that 50.000 elderly and disabled refugees will face extreme hardship and destitution by 2012 due to the suspension of their SSI benefits. These individuals fled persecution or torture in countries such as Iran. Russia.
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naturalize immigration refugees Refugees