Legislative history of title VIII of the Social Security Act.

led to the enactment of a new Introduction • Be a World War II veteran who title VIII of the Social Security served in the U.S. military at some On December 14, 1999, President Act, “Special Benefits for point from September 16, 1940, and Clinton signed the Foster Care IndepenCertain World War II through July 24, 1947, or who dence Act of 1999, Public Law 106-169. Veterans.” It describes the served in the organized military of That law established a new program of evolution of a proposal to pay the Philippines at some point from a reduced Supplemental cash benefits for certain World War II July 26, 1941, through December Security Income (SSI) benefit veterans who live in the United States, 30, 1946; to Filipino and other World are receiving Supplemental Security War II veterans who want to Income (SSI), and want to live outside • File an application for SVB; return to their homeland or the United States. The impetus for the • Be eligible for SSI for December otherwise live outside the bill came from members of Congress 1999; United States. The article who wished to honor the World War II • Be eligible for SSI for the month in highlights the different service of Filipinos who served in the which he or she applies for the options considered and the armed forces of the United States but special benefits; and early implementation of who are not eligible for full cash benefits payments by the Social • Have other benefit income that is from the Department of Veterans Affairs Security Administration under less than 75 percent of the current (VA). the new program. Title VIII is SSI federal benefit rate. the first benefit program The new program makes it financially administered by the Social possible for SSI beneficiaries who are Unlike the SSI program, the SVB Security Administration since also World War II veterans to return to program does not take into account an the enactment of the their homeland and have the opportunity individual’s resources or living arrangelegislation that created the to rejoin family members who did not ments. Similar to the SSI program, SSI program in 1972. immigrate to the United States. The benefits are not paid to dependents or new benefits, authorized under title VIII survivors. The SVB program is the first *The author is with the Office of the Social Security Act, are known as new benefit program administered by the of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, Social Security AdminisSpecial Veterans Benefits (SVB). Social Security Administration since the