FOOD STAMPS:  HUNGER RELIEF ACT STILL ALIVE IN CONGRESS

The Hunger Relief Act of 1999 (S. 1805), which was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Arlen Specter (R- PA), and by Rep. James Walsh (R-NY) in the House (H.R. 3192), continues to draw support from other legislators and a myriad of national, state, and local groups working on behalf of low-income persons.

If enacted, the proposed legislation would restore food stamp eligibility to all otherwise eligible "qualified" immigrants who were rendered ineligible for the benefit by the 1996 welfare law.  The Hunger Relief Act would also make other food stamp program improvements by increasing assistance levels to those faced with high shelter costs.  The legislation also includes an increase in the vehicle value limit so that working families that need a car in order to be able to work can have one without risk of losing their food stamp benefits.  In addition, the measure would provide greater resources through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for those families, children, and elderly forced to turn to food pantries and other emergency feeding sites.  (For additional detail, see "Coalition Urges Passage of Hunger Relief Act of 1999," Immigrants’ Rights Update, Dec. 28, 1999, p. 8).

A broad coalition of anti-hunger, immigrants’ rights, religious, labor, children’s rights, and elderly rights’ agencies—nearly 1,300 groups in all—have endorsed the measure.  Advocates remain guardedly optimistic about the bill’s chances for passage this legislative season.