[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXTENDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME BENEFITS PROGRAM TO AMERICAN 
         SAMOA, GUAM, PUERTO RICO, AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I have introduced today legislation that 
will extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits program to 
American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
Specifically, this legislation would amend Section 303 of the Social 
Security Amendments of 1972 to make qualified residents of American 
Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands eligible to 
receive supplemental security income.
  The Supplemental Security Income program assures a minimum cash 
income to all aged, blind, or disabled persons. Section 301 of the 
Social Security Amendments of 1972 established the Supplemental 
Security Income benefits program and ended matching grant programs to 
the 50 states and the District of Columbia for assistance to aged, 
blind, and disabled individuals. It is important to note that the House 
bill in 1972 included the territories under the proposed SSI program, 
but the final bill did not include that provision. SSI was extended to 
the Northern Mariana Islands in 1976, while American Samoa, Guam, 
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands remain under the old matching 
grant programs with limited Federal funding.
  Territorial governments currently receive non-entitlement, federal-
state grants under Title I (Grants to States for Old-Age Assistance for 
the Aged); Title X (Grants to the States for Aid to the Blind); Title 
XIV (Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled); and Title XVI 
(Grants to the States for Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled) of the 
Social Security Act for programs designed to assist the needy, aged, 
blind, and disabled. Residents of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands who would otherwise qualify for SSI benefits 
are shortchanged under the current Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled 
(AABD) Program where the federal payment is $637 per individual 
compared with an average payment under the AABD program on Guam being 
$100. American Samoa is at a greater disadvantage, receiving no AABD 
funds.
  The legislation which I have introduced today would bring uniformity 
and fairness in annual payments by the federal government for all 
eligible persons residing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia 
and the territories under the SSI program and is one step in ensuring 
equity in Federal health programs for the territories.
  I look forward on working with my colleagues to advance this bill.

                          ____________________