Congressional declaration of policy
Source
(Pub. L. 88–525, § 2,Notes
Codification
Amendments
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Short Title of 2002 Amendment
Short Title of 2000 Amendment
Short Title of 1994 Amendment
Short Title of 1993 Amendment
Short Title of 1990 Amendment
Short Title of 1988 Amendments
Short Title of 1986 Amendment
Short Title of 1982 Amendment
Short Title of 1981 Amendment
Short Title of 1980 Amendment
Short Title of 1976 Amendment
Short Title
Study of National Database for Federal Means-Tested Public Assistance Programs
In General.—
The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study of options for the design, development, implementation, and operation of a national database to track participation in Federal means-tested public assistance programs.
Administration.—
In conducting the study, the Secretary shall—
analyze available data to determine—
whether the data have addressed the needs of the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
whether additional or unique data need to be developed to address the needs of the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
the feasibility and cost-benefit ratio of each available option for a national database;
survey the States to determine how the States are enforcing the prohibition on recipients receiving assistance in more than one State under Federal means-tested public assistance programs;
determine the functional requirements of each available option for a national database; and
ensure that all options provide safeguards to protect against the unauthorized use or disclosure of information in the national database.
Report.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [
Funding.—
Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide to the Secretary of Agriculture $500,000 to carry out this section. The Secretary shall be entitled to receive the funds and shall accept the funds, without further appropriation.”
Welfare Simplification and Coordination Advisory Committee
Appointment and Membership.—
Establisment [sic].—
There is established an Advisory Committee on Welfare Simplification and Coordination (hereafter in this section referred to as the ‘Committee’) consisting of not fewer than 7, nor more than 11, members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture (hereafter in this section referred to as the ‘Secretary’), after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and with the advice of State and local officials responsible for administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program, cash and medical assistance programs for low-income families and individuals under the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.], and programs providing housing assistance to needy families and individuals, and representatives of recipients and recipient advocacy organizations associated with such programs.
Qualifications.—
The members of the Committee shall be individuals who are familiar with the rules, goals, and limitations of Federal supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, cash, medical, and housing assistance programs for low-income families and individuals, and may include individuals who have demonstrated expertise in evaluating the operations of and interaction among such programs as they affect administrators and recipients, persons who have experience in administering such programs at the Federal, State, or local level, and representatives of administrators and recipients affected by such programs.
Purpose.—
It shall be the purpose of the Committee, in consultation, where appropriate, with program administrators and representatives of recipients—
to identify the significant policies implemented in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, cash and medical assistance programs under the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.], and housing assistance programs (whether resulting from law, regulations, or administrative practice) that, because they differ substantially, make it difficult for those eligible to apply for and obtain benefits from more than one program and restrict the ability of administrators of such programs to provide efficient, timely, and appropriate benefits to those eligible for more than one type of assistance, drawing, where appropriate, on previous efforts to coordinate and simplify such programs and policies;
to examine the major reasons for such different programs and policies;
to evaluate how and the extent to which such different programs and policies hinder, to a significant degree, the receipt of benefits from more than one program and substantially restrict administrators’ ability to provide efficient, timely, and appropriate benefits;
to recommend common or simplified programs and policies (including recommendations for changes in law, regulations, and administrative practice and for policies that do not currently exist in such programs) that would substantially reduce difficulties in applying for and obtaining benefits from more than one program and significantly increase the ability of administrators of such programs to efficiently provide timely and appropriate assistance to those eligible for more than one type of assistance; and
to describe the major effects of such common or simplified programs and policies (including how such common or simplified programs and policies would enhance or conflict with the purposes of such programs, how they would ease burdens on administrators and recipients, how they would affect program costs and participation, and the degree to which they would change the relationships between the Federal Government and the States in such programs) and the reasons for recommending such programs and policies (including reasons, if any, that might be sufficient to override special rules derived from the purposes of individual programs).
Administrative Support.—
The Secretary shall provide the Committee with such technical and other assistance, including secretarial and clerical assistance, as may be required to carry out its functions.
Reimbursement.—
Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation but shall receive reimbursement for necessary travel and subsistence expenses incurred by such members in the performance of the duties of the Committee.
Reports.—
Not later than
Rules
Implementation of 1977 Amendment; Savings Provision; Availability of Appropriated Funds; Report
The Secretary of Agriculture shall implement the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [now the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, this chapter] as expeditiously as possible consistent with the efficient and effective administration of the food stamp program. The provisions of the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended [this chapter prior to amendment by Pub. L. 95–113], which are relevant to current regulations of the Secretary governing the food stamp program, shall remain in effect until such regulations are revoked, superseded, amended, or modified by regulations issued pursuant to the Food Stamp Act of 1977. Coupons issued pursuant to the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, and in general use as of the effective date of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [
Pending proceedings under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, shall not be abated by reason of any provision of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, but shall be disposed of pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, in effect prior to the effective date of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [
Appropriations made available to carry out the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, shall be available to carry out the provisions of the Food Stamp Act of 1977.