SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees

On September 30, 2008, President Bush signed into law H.R. 2608, the "SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act" (Public Law 110-328). The law will increase the time-limited SSI eligibility period for certain noncitizens (e.g., refugees and asylees) from 7 to 9 years and make exceptions for individuals with naturalization applications pending. Although Social Security was given no lead time or administrative funding, we intend to implement this complicated legislation accurately and quickly. In October, Social Security executives met with a coalition of immigration and disability advocates to open the dialogue and work collegially to implement the law. Working together, we established accurate and fair implementation practices, shared our internal instructions, and gained support from the advocates to help Social Security identify refugees and asylees who can benefit from the law. In addition, the advocates offered the agency assistance reaching the many refugees and asylees who will benefit by the law.

To read more detailed information about the law, visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation/legis_bulletin_100108.htm.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com