Human Needs Report Article

The Human Needs Report is the Coalition on Human Needs' newsletter on national policy issues affecting low-income and vulnerable populations. It is published every other week while Congress is in session.

Article from the October 10, 2011 edition CHN Human Needs Report :

Senator Rand Paul Blocks Aid to Poor Elderly and Disabled Refugees      

One person can make a difference.  In the U.S. Senate, Senator Paul (R-KY) used that power to block the extension of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to refugees who have not been able to pass a citizenship test within 7 years, as required by law.  The deadline has been extended twice because the impoverished 5,600 refugees in question are elderly, blind, deaf, or otherwise disabled.  Many have been admitted under this program because they helped American troops in Iraq or Afghanistan, or have been victims of torture or persecution.  They are too old or disabled to work.