For example, the bill's five-year time limit on receiving benefits applies to only 80 percent of the federal caseload. The other 20 percent can go beyond the five-year limit. And states can use money from their social services block grant to help children dropped by the five-year limitation. In addition, states can use their own funds for children. Thus the bill allows the states to meet the needs of any children who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
States have the option of continuing cash payments or services with their block grant money.
Noncitizens who become citizens, those who have worked here for 10 years and veterans remain eligible for longer periods. The legislation denies newly arriving legal immigrants immediate access to most federal welfare programs. Yet here too there is some flexibility. For example, new immigrants cannot qualify for Medicaid, but states may waive that restriction after they have lived here five years. New arrivals retain access to emergency medical care.