Many Indigent Refugees to Lose Federal Assistance

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Many Indigent Refugees to Lose Federal Assistance
By ROBERT PEAR
Published: July 31, 2010

WASHINGTON — The Social Security Administration is about to terminate cash assistance for thousands of indigent refugees who are severely disabled or over the age of 64.

“You will lose your Supplemental Security Income on Oct. 1,” the agency says in letters being mailed to more than 3,800 refugees. All fled persecution or torture. Many are too old or infirm to work and are not yet eligible to become United States citizens.

Federal law sets a seven-year limit on payments to refugees. The maximum federal payment is $674 a month for an individual and $1,011 a month for a couple. In 2008, Congress provided a two-year extension of benefits for elderly and disabled refugees, asylum seekers and certain other humanitarian immigrants, including victims of sex trafficking. The extra eligibility period is now ending, and Congress has not taken action to extend it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/us/01benefits.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

[Jeffersons Ghost]

1. who's next on the Social Security cut list?

[dkf]

2. Were we not enforcing this before? If it is current law why are we questioning it now?