EFFECTIVE DATE OF APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS.

SEC. 204. EFFECTIVE DATE OF APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS. (a) In General.—Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 1611(c)(7) (42 U.S.C. 1382(c)(7)) are amended to read as follows: “(A) the first day of the month following the date such application is filed, or “(B) the first day of the month following the date such individual becomes eligible for such benefits with respect to such application.” . (b) Special Rule Relating to Emergency Advance Payments.—Section 1631(a)(4)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1383(a)(4)(A)) is amended— (1) by inserting “for the month following the date the application is filed” after “is presumptively eligible for such benefits”; and (2) by inserting “, which shall be repaid through proportionate reductions in such benefits over a period of not more than 6 months” before the semicolon. (c) Conforming Amendments.— (1) Section 1614(b) (42 U.S.C. 1382c(b)) is amended— (A) by striking “or requests” and inserting “, on the first day of the month following the date the application is filed, or, in any case in which either spouse requests”; and (B) by striking “application or”. (2) Section 1631(g)(3) (42 U.S.C. 1382j(g)(3)) is amended by inserting “following the month” after “beginning with the month”. (d) [42 U.S.C. 1382c note] Effective Date.— (1) In general.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to applications for benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act filed on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, without regard to whether regulations have been issued to implement such amendments. (2) Benefits under title xvi.—For purposes of this subsection, the term “benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act” includes supplementary payments pursuant to an agreement for Federal administration under section 1616(a) of the Social Security Act, and payments pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 212(b) of Public Law 93–66.