TRANSITIONAL FOOD STAMPS FOR FAMILIES MOVING FROM WELFARE.

SEC. 4115. TRANSITIONAL FOOD STAMPS FOR FAMILIES MOVING FROM WELFARE. (a) Section 11 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended by adding at the end the following: “(s) Transitional Benefits Option.— “(1) In general.—A State agency may provide transitional food stamp benefits to a household that ceases to receive cash assistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). “(2) Transitional benefits period.—Under paragraph (1), a household may receive transitional food stamp benefits for a period of not more than 5 months after the date on which cash assistance is terminated. “(3) Amount of benefits.—During the transitional benefits period under paragraph (2), a household shall receive an amount of food stamp benefits equal to the allotment received in the month immediately preceding the date on which cash assistance was terminated, adjusted for the change in household income as a result of— “(A) the termination of cash assistance; and “(B) at the option of the State agency, information from another program in which the household participates. “(4) Determination of future eligibility.—In the final month of the transitional benefits period under paragraph (2), the State agency may— “(A) require the household to cooperate in a recertification of eligibility; and “(B) initiate a new certification period for the household without regard to whether the preceding certification period has expired. “(5) Limitation..—A household shall not be eligible for transitional benefits under this subsection if the household— “(A) loses eligibility under section 6; “(B) is sanctioned for a failure to perform an action required by Federal, State, or local law relating to a cash assistance program described in paragraph (1); or “(C) is a member of any otner category of households designated by the State agency as ineligible for transitional benefits. “(6) Applications for recertification.—116 STAT. 315 “(A) In general.—A household receiving transitional benefits under this subsection may apply for recertification at any time during the transitional benefits period under paragraph (2). “(B) Determination of allotment.—If a household applies for recertification under subparagraph (A), the allotment of the household for all subsequent months shall be determined without regard to this subsection.”. (b) Conforming Amendments.— (1) Section 3(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2012(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: “The limits specified in this subsection may be extended until the end of any transitional benefit period established under section 11(s).”. (2) Section 6(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2015(c)) is amended by striking “No household” and inserting “Except in a case in which a household is receiving transitional benefits during the transitional benefits period under section 11(s), no household”.