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Release No. 0335.03

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
Jean Daniel (703) 305-2286

USDA Announces Restoration of Food Stamp Eligibility for Qualified Legal Immigrant Children

ANTHONY, N.M. Oct. 1, 2003— Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that beginning today low income immigrant children will be eligible for Food Stamp Program benefits regardless of the date they entered the United States.

“Providing resources for low-income families is a priority for the Bush Administration,” said Veneman. “Restoring food stamp eligibility for qualified, low-income immigrant children is an important step in helping the school readiness of children by improving nutritional intake and reducing hunger.”

The 2002 Farm Bill, signed by President Bush in May 2002, restored food stamp eligibility to many legal immigrants who had previously lost eligibility. As provided by the statute, over the last year, eligibility has been restored to adult legal immigrants who have lived in the country for five years and to those receiving other disability benefits regardless of their entry date. Effective Oct. 1, 2003, legal immigrant children have their eligibility restored.

Veneman made the announcement here during a tour of the Colonias Housing Community, which illustrates efforts to provide better housing opportunities to minorities and lower income families through initiatives and programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. President Bush has set a national goal of increasing the number of minority homeowners by at least 5.5 million by the end of the decade.

The Food Stamp Program is administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. Over 50% of food stamp recipients are children. The Food Stamp Program is the cornerstone of the federal nutrition assistance programs, and provides crucial support to needy households including those making the transition from welfare to work. Food stamp recipients use their benefits to buy food in authorized retail food stores.

Further information about the Food Stamp Program is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ . Information about the 2002 Farm Bill can be found at http://www.usda.gov/farmbill .

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