Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), who represents parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, today joined with his colleagues to pass H.R. 2608, the SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act. The bill, adopted on a voice vote, would fix some of the problems created by the 1996 welfare law that undermined the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is a need-based program that provides a monthly amount to elderly and disabled individuals, including some refugees.

"The SSI program is a lifeline to those in great need and we should not deny benefits to those who have done nothing wrong," said Rep. Nadler. "These refugees faced persecution in their native countries, and this bill will help provide for them. Too many refugees have been cut off from benefits they need to survive because our government has delayed their applications to become citizens. The extension is particularly helpful for those refugees living on fixed incomes who have been denied pensions they earned by the governments of their native countries."

Under current law, refugees receiving SSI benefits must become citizens within seven years to continue to participate in the program. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have had their citizenship applications seriously delayed, and at least 6,000 refugees with disabilities have had their SSI benefits cut. The legislation adopted today by the House would extend the deadline by two years.

The Social Security Administration projections indicate that over 40,000 elderly and disabled refugees will face a loss of their SSI benefits over the next ten years unless changes are made. These refugees include those who fled persecution or torture in Iran, Russia, Iraq and Somalia.