An act to amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to improve food stamp program fiscal accountability through reductions in inaccurate eligibility and benefit determinations; to improve the system of deductions; to increase the specific dollar limitations on appropriations for the fiscal years 1980 and 1981 food stamp programs; and for other purposes.
PL 96-249 (S.1309), enacted 05/26/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
94 STAT. 357 
Public Law 96-249 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to improve food stamp program fiscal 
May 26,1980 
accountability tlirough reductions in inaccurate eligibility and benefit determina- 
[S. 1309] 
tions; to improve the system of deductions; to increase the specific dollar limita-
tions on appropriations for the fiscal years 1980 and 1981 f(X)d stamp programs; 
and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be Food stamp Act 
cited as the "Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1980". 
Amendments o
f 
7 use 2011 note. 
TITLE I—REDUCTION IN FOOD STAMP ERROR AND FRAUD 
AND REVISION OF DEDUCTIONS 
SEC 
b y -
MEAIS IN SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND CHILDREN 
101. (a) Section 3 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended '
^ use 2012. 
(1) striking out in clause (1) of subsection (g) "and (7)" and ^^ ^*^* ^^^ 
inserting in lieu thereof "(7), and (8)"; 
(2) striking out in subsection (g) "and (7)" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "(7)'^ 
(3) inserting immediately before the period at the end of 
subsection (g) the following: ", and (8) in the case of women and 
children temporarily residing in public or private nonprofit 
shelters for battered women and children, meals prepared and 
served, by such shelters"; 
(4) inserting in the last sentence of subsection (i) after "section 
1616(e) of the Social Security Act," the following: "temporary 
residents of public or private nonprofit shelters for battered 
women and children,"; and 
(5) striking out in clause (2) of subsection (k) "and (7)" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "(7), and (8)". 
0)) Section 10 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended as follows: 
(1) inserting after "purchased" a comma; 
(2) striking out the comma immediately after "residents"; and 
(3) inserting after "programs" the following: ", public and 
private nonprofit shelters that prepare and serve meals for 
battered women and children". 
42 use 1382e. 
93 Stat. 392. 
7 use 2019. 
EXCLUDING ENERGY ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS FROM INCOME 
SEC. 102. Section 5(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended 
b y -
(1) striking out "and" before "(10)"; and 
(2) inserting before the period at the end thereof the following: 
", and (11) any payments or allowances made under any Federm, 
State, or local laws for the purpose of providing energy 
assistance". 
7 use 2014. 
94 STAT. 358 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX 
93 Stat 390. 
SEC. 103. Section 5(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended bv 
Postom 
inserting "for all urban consumers" after "Consumer Price Index 
each time those words appear. 
DEPENDENT CARE DEDUCTIONS FOR WORKING ADULTS 
SEC. 104. Effective October 1,1981, section 5(e) of the Food Stamp 
Act of 1977 is amended by—-
(1) in the fourth sentence, amending clause (1) to read as 
follows: "(1) a dependent care deduction for the actual cost of 
payments necessary for the care of a dependent regardless of the 
dependent's age, the maximum viewable level of which shall be 
$90 per month, per household, when such care enables a house-
hold member to accept or continue employment, or training or 
education that is preparatory for employment, and"; 
(2) in the fourth sentence, striking out everything after "March 
31" down to the period at the end of 
the sentence; and 
(3) in clause (B), striking out "that for the excess shelter 
expense deduction contained in clause (2) of the preceding 
sentence" and inserting in lieu thereof the following: described 
in clause (1) of 
the preceding sentence". 
EXPANDED MEDICAL DEDUCTIONS FOR THE ELDERLY 
SEC. 105. Effective October 1, 1981, section 5(eXA) of the Food 
Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by— 
(1) inserting "or their spouses" before ", exclusive of special 
diets,"; and 
(2) striking out "$35" and inserting in lieu thereof "$25". 
MEDICAL DEDUCTION FOR THE BLIND AND DISABLED IN CERTAIN AREAS 
SEC. 106. Effective October 1,1981, section 5(e) of the Food Stamp 
Act of 1977 is amended by: 
(1) in the fourth and last sentences, inserting "and blindness" 
after each time "disability" appears; and 
(2) in the fourth and last sentences, striking out "title 11" each 
time that it appears and inserting in lieu thereof: "titles I, II, X, 
XIV,andXVr: 
RETROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING 
7 use 2014. 
SEC. 107. Section 5(f) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended to 
read as follows: 
"(f) Household income for those households that by contract for 
other than an hourly or i)iecework basis, or by self-employment, 
derive their annual income in a period of time shorter than one year, 
shall be calculated by the State agency for the purpose of determming 
household eligibility by being averaged over a twelve-month period. 
For those households that receive nonexcluded income of the type 
specified in subsection (dX3) of this section, such income shall be 
calculated by being averaged over the period for which it is provided. 
State agencies shall elect and use one of the following two methods in 
calculating income for all other households: 
"(1) taking into account the income reasonably anticipated to 
be received by the household in the certification period for which 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
94 STAT. 359 
eligibility is being determined and the income that has been 
received by the household during the thirty days preceding the 
fUing of its application for food stamps so that the State agency 
may reasonably ascertain the income that is and will be actually 
available to the household for the certification period; or 
"(2) using income received in a previous month as the basis, in 
accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary, except 
for the month of application and subsequent months specified by 
the Secretary for newly applying households (other than house-
holds reapplying within thirty days after the end of a prior 
certification period). In addition, the Secretary shall make modi-
fications or exceptions to this method of income calculation with 
respect to households experiencing sudden and significant losses 
of income (including households experiencing losses of income of 
$50 per month or more) or the addition of a new member, 
households in immediate need in accordance with the provisions 
of section ll(eX9) of this Act, migrant farmworker households, 
£md other classes of households if the Secretary determines that 
this method of income calculation would be impracticable to 
administer or would cause serious hardship for such households. 
In promulgating regulations governing the method of income 
calculation described in this subsection, the Secretary shall 
consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services so 
that, wherever feasible, and consistent with the purposes of the 
applicable Acts, households receiving income under title IV-A of 
the Social Security Act shall have income calculated on a 
consolidated and comparable basis.". 
7 u s e 2020. 
Regulations, 
consultation 
with Secretary of 
Health and 
Human Services. 
42 u s e 601. 
VEHICLE USE BY HANDICAPPED HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 
SEC. 108. The second sentence of section 5(g) of the Food Stamp Act 
of 1977 is amended by— 
(1) inserting after "other than one used to produce earned 
income" the following: "or that is necessary for transportation of 
a physically disabled household member"; and 
(2) striking out "or to transport disabled household members". 
7 u s e 2014. 
STATE OPTION ON ADMINISTRATIVE FRAUD HEARINGS 
SEC. 109. Section 6(b) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 
inserting after the first sentence thereof a new sentence as follows: 
"Each State agency shall proceed against such alleged fraudulent 
activity either by way of administrative fraud hearings in accordance 
with clause (1) of this subsection or by referring such matters to 
appropriate legal authorities for civil or criminal action in accord-
ance with clause (2) of this subsection, or both.". 
93 Stat. 391. 
7 u s e 2015. 
PERIODIC REPORTING 
SEC. 110. Section 6(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 7 use 2015. 
striking out everything after the first sentence and inserting in lieu 
thereof the following: 
"(1) State agencies that elect to use a system of retrospective 
accounting in accordance with section 5(fK2) of this Act shall ^"<e, p. 358. 
require certain categories of households to file periodic reports of 
household circumstances in accordance with standards pre-
scribed by the Secretary. Other State agencies, which have 
received the approval of the Secretary, may also require such 
94 STAT. 360 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
7 u s e 2020. 
Regulations, 
consultation 
with Secretary of 
Health and 
Human Services. 
42 u s e 601. 
categories of households to file periodic reporiis. Each household 
that is not required to file such periodic reports on a monthly 
basis shall be required to report or cause to be reported to the 
State agency, on a form designed or approved by the Secretary, 
changes in income or household circumstances which the Secre-
tary deems necessary in order to assure accurate eligibility and 
benefit determinations. 
"(2) Any household required to file a periodic report under 
paragraph (1) of this subsection shall, (A) if it is eligible to 
participate and has filed a timely and complete report, receive its 
allotment, based on the reported information for a given month, 
within thirty days of the end of that month unless the Secretary 
determines that a longer period of time is necessary, (B) have 
available special procedures that permit the filing of the re-
quired information in the event all adult members of the house-
hold are mentally or physically handicapped or lacking in 
reading or writing skills to such a degree as to be unable to fill 
out the required forms, (C) have a reasonable period of time after 
the close of the month in which to file their reports on forms 
approved by the Secretary, and (D) be afforded prompt notice of 
failure to file any report timely or completely, and given a 
reasonable opportunity to cure that failure (with any applicable 
time requirements extended accordingly) and to exercise its 
rights under section ll(eXlO) of 
this Act. 
"(3) Reports required to be filed under paragraph (1) of this 
subsection shall be considered complete if, in accordance with 
standards prescribed by the Secretary, they contain sufficient 
information to enable the State agency to determine household 
eligibility and allotment levels. All report forms, including those 
related to periodic reports of circumstances, shsdl contain a 
description, in understandable terms in prominent and bold face 
lettering, of the appropriate civil and criminal provisions dealing 
with violations of this Act including the prescribed penalties. The 
reporting requirements contained in paragraph (1) of this subsec-
tion shall be the sole such requirements for reporting changes in 
circumstances for participating households. In promulgating 
regulations implementing these reporting requirements, the 
Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, and, wherever feasible, households that receive assist-
ance under title IV-A of the Social Security Act and that are 
required to file comparable reports under that Act shall be 
provided the opportunity to file reports at the same time for 
purposes of 
both Acts.". 
7 u s e 2012. 
"eertification 
period." 
CONFORMING AMENDMENTS FOR RETROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING AND 
PERIODIC INCOME REPORTING 
SEC. 111. Section 3(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended to 
read as follows: 
"(c) 'Certification period' means the period for which households 
shall be eligible to receive authorization cards. For those households 
that are required to submit periodic reports under section 6(cXl) of 
this Act, the certification period shall be at least six months but no 
longer than twelve months. For households that are not required to 
submit periodic reports, the certification period shall be determined 
as follows: 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
94 STAT. 361 
"(1) In the case of a household all of whose members are 
included in a federally aided public assistance or general assist-
ance grant, the period shsdl coincide with the period of such 
grant. 
"(2) In the case of all other households, the period shall be not 
less than three months: Provided, That such period may be up to 
twelve months for any household consisting entirely of unem-
ployable or elderly or primarily self-employed persons, or as 
short as circumstances require for those households as to which 
there is a substantial likelihood of frequent changes in income or 
household status, and for any household on initial certification, 
as determined by the Secretary.". 
SEC. 112. Section 5(dX2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended 7 use 20i4. 
by inserting after the second comma the following: "subject to 
modification by the Secretary in light of section 5(f)(2) of this Act,". ^«*^' P ^58. 
SEC. 113. Section ll(eX4) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended '
^ use 2020. 
by inserting immediately after "subsection" the following: ": Pro-
vided, That the timeliness standards for submitting the notice of 
expiration and filing an application for recertification may be modi-
fied by the Secretary in light of sections 5(fK2) and 6(c) of this Act if Ante, pp. 358, 
administratively necessary". 
^^^• 
PARTICIPATION BY STRIKERS 
SEC. 114. Section 6(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 7 use 2015. 
adding at the end thereof a new paragraph (4) as follows: 
"(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a household shall 
not participate in the food stamp program at any time that any 
member of such household, not exempt from the work registration 
requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, is on strike as 
defined in section 501(2) of the Labor Management Relations Act, 
1947, because of a labor dispute (other than a lockout) as defined in 29 use 142. 
section 2(9) of the National Labor Relations Act: Provided, That a 29 use 152. 
household shall not lose its eligibility to participate in the food stamp 
program as a result of one of its members going on strike if the 
household was eligible for food stamps immediately prior to such 
strike: Provided further. That such ineligibility shedl not apply to any 
household that does not contain a member on strike, if any of its 
members refuses to accept employment at a plant or site because of a 
strike or lockout: Provided further, That such ineligibility shall not 
apply if the household meets the income qualifications, assets re-
quirements, and work registration requirements, as mandated in 
subsection (i) of this section.". 
INCOME AND RESOURCES OF INEUGIBLE AUEN 
SEC. 115. Section 6(f) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 7 use 2015. 
adding at the end thereof a new sentence as follows: "The income (less 
a pro rata share) and financial resources of the individual rendered 
ineligible to participate in the food stamp program under this 
subsection shall be considered in determining the eligibility and the 
value of the allotment of the household of which such individual is a 
member.". 
MATCHING OP INCOME INFORMATION AND OTHER VERIFICATION 
SEC. 116. Section ll(eX3) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended 7 use 2020. 
b y -
94 STAT. 362 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
(1) inserting after "section 5(d) of this Act" the following: "(in 
part through the use of the information, if any, obtained under 
Post, p. 367. 
subsections (h) and (i) of 
section 16 of 
this Act)"; and 
(2) inserting after "sections 5 and 6 of this Act," the following: 
"although the State agency may verify prior to certification, 
whether questionable or not, the size of any applicant household 
and any factors of eligibility involving households that fall 
within the State agenc3r's error-prone household profiles as 
developed by the State agency from the quality control program 
7 use 2025. 
conducted under section 16 of this Act and as approved by the 
Secretary,". 
PHOTO IDENTIFICATION 
7 use 2020. 
SEC. 117. Section 11(e) of 
the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, is 
amended by striking out "and" at the end of paragraph (15), and 
adding at the end thereof 
a new paragraph (17) as follows: 
"(17) that the State agency shall require each household 
certified as eligible to participate by methods other than the out-
of-office methods specified in the last sentence of 
paragraph (2) of 
this subsection in those project areas or parts of project areas in 
which the Secretaiy, in consultation with the Department's 
Inspector General, finds that it would be useful to protect the 
program's integrity, to present a photographic identification 
card when using its autnorization card in order to receive its 
coupons;". 
REPORTING ILLEGAL ALIENS 
SEC. 118. Section 11(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended 
by section 117 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end thereof a 
new paragraph (18) as follows: 
"(18) notwithstanding paragraph (8) of this subsection, for the 
immediate reporting to the Immiffl'ation and Naturalization 
Service by the State agency of a determination by personnel 
responsible for the certification or recertification of households 
that any member of a household is ineligible to receive food 
stamps because that member is present in the United States in 
8 use 1101 note. 
violation of 
the Immigration and Nationality Act;". 
COMPUTERIZATION 
SEC. 119. Section 11(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended 
7 use 2020. 
by section 118 of 
this Act, is amended by inserting "and at the end of 
paragraph (18) and adding at the end thereof a new paragraph (19) as 
follows: 
"(19) at the option of the State agency, for the establishment 
and operation of an automatic data processing and information 
retrieval system that meets such conditions as the Secretary may 
prescribe and that is designed to provide efficient and effective 
administration of 
the food stamp program.". 
STATE COBfPLIANCE WITH LAW 
SEC. 120. Section 11(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended 
by— 
(1) inserting after "determines" the following:", upon informa-
tion received by the Secretary, investigation initiated by the 
Secretary, or investigation that the Secretary shall initiate upon 
receiving sitE&cient information evidencing a pattern of lack of 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
94 STAT. 363 
compliance by a State agency of a type specified in this 
subsection,"; 
(2) inserting "without good cause" before "to comply"; 
(3) striking out "or" before "the State plan of operation"; 
(4) inserting after "section," the following: "or the Secretary's 
standards for the efficient and effective administration of the 
program established under section 16(b)(1) of this Act"; and 
7 use 2025. 
(5) inserting before the period at the end of the second sentence 
the following: ", and, whether or not the Secretary refers such 
matter to the Attorney General, the Secretary shall proceed to 
withhold from the State such funds authorized under sections 
16(a) and 16(c) of this Act as the Secretary determines to be 93 stat 391. 
appropriate, subject to administrative and judicial review under p^f p 3I4 
section 14 of 
this Act.". 
7 use 2023 
SEC. 121. Section 16(b) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 7 use 2025! 
striking out the last sentence thereof 
SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE APPLICATION 
SEC. 122. Section ll(i)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended 7 use 2020. 
by striking out "simplified affidavit" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"simple application". 
SPECIAL FINANCIAL AUDIT REVIEW OF HIGH PARTICIPATION STATES 
SEC. 123. Section 11 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 
adding at the end thereof a new subsection (1) as follows: 
"(1) Whenever the ratio of a State's average food stamp participa-
tion in any quarter of a fiscal year to the State's total population in 
that quarter (estimated on the basis of 
the latest available population 
estimates as provided by the Department of (Commerce, Bureau of the 
Census, Series P-25, Current Population Reports (or its successor 
series)) exceeds 60 per centum, the Office of the Inspector General of 
the Department of Agriculture shall immediately schedule a finan-
cial audit review of a sample of project areas within that State, and 
shall, upon completion of 
the aucUt, provide a report to Congress of its 
findings and recommendations within one hundred and eighty days. 
Any financial audit review subsequent to the first such review, 
required under the preceding sentence, shall be conducted at the 
option of 
the Office of 
the Inspector General.". 
FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL FOOD STAMP 
TRANSACTIONS 
SEC. 124. Section 15 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by ^ use 2024. 
adding at the end thereof a new subsection (g) as follows: 
"(g) The Secretary may subject to forfeiture and denial of property 
rights any nonfood items, moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, 
or other things of 
value that are furnished or intended to be furnished 
by any person in exchange for coupons or authorization cards in any 
manner not authorized by this Act or the regulations issued under 
this Act. Any forfeiture and disposal of property forfeited under this 
subsection shall be conducted in accordance with procedures con-
tained in regulations issued by the Secretary.". 
94 STAT. 364 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
STATE INCENTIVES FOR REDUCING ERROR 
7 use 2025. 
SEC. 125. Section 16(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended 
by— 
(1) striking out "Effective October 1,1978, the" and inserting in 
lieu thereof ^The"; 
(2) inserting "(1) effective October 1,1978," after "such share 
to"; 
(3) inserting "(A)" after "State agency whose"; 
(4) inserting "semiannual" before "cumulative"; 
(5) striking out "section is less" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"section are less"; 
(6) inserting before the period at the end thereof the following: 
"and (B) whose rate of invalid decisions in denying eligibility as 
calculated in the quality control program conducted under sub-
section (d)(1) of this section is less than a nationwide percentage 
that the Secretary determines to be reasonable; 
"(2) effective October 1, 1980, 65 per centum of all such 
administrative costs in the case of a State agency meeting the 
standards contained in paragraph (1) of this subsection; 
"(3) effective October 1, 1980, 60 per centum of all such 
administrative costs in the case of a State agency whose cumula-
tive allotment error rate as determined under paragraph (1)(A) of 
this subsection is greater than 5 per centum but less than 8 per 
centum or the national standard pajnnent error rate for the base 
period, whichever is lower, and which also meets the standard 
contained in paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection; and 
"(4) effective October 1, 1980, 55 per centum of all such 
administrative costs in the case of a State agency whose annual 
rate of error reduction is equal to or exceeds 25 per centum. No 
State agency shall receive more than one of the increased 
federally funded shares of administrative costs set forth in 
paragraphs (1) through (4) of 
this subsection". 
STATE UABILTTY FOR ERRORS 
SEC. 126. Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 
adding at the end thereof a new subsection (g) as follows: 
"(g)(1) The Secretary shall institute an error liability program 
under which each State agency shall, other than for good cause as 
determined by the Secretary, pay to the Secretary or have withheld 
by the Secretary £is described in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the 
amount by which the dollar value equivalent of the State agency's 
payment error rate, as determined by the Secretary, for each six-
month period, exceeds the dollar value equivalent of 
either— 
"(A) the State agency pa3rment error rate for the base period 
less a national annual rate of error reduction, as determined by 
the Secretary, taking into account program circumstances and 
rates of error reduction in comparable Federal or federally 
assisted public assistance programs, or 
"(B) the national standard pa3mient error rate for the base 
period, whichever is higher. 
Definitions. 
"(2) As used in this subsection, (A) 'base period' means, for fiscal 
year 1981, the six months beginning October 1, 1979, and ending 
March 31, 1980 and, for each fiscal year thereafter, the six months 
beginning October 1 and ending March 30 of the prior fiscal year; (B) 
'payment error rate' means the percentage of ail food stamp allot-
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
94 STAT. 365 
ments which are issued in a given period by a State agency to 
households that fail to meet the eligibiUty requirements of sections 5 
and 6 of this Act, are overissued to eligible households, and are 
underissued to eligible households; (C) 'national standard payment 
error rate* means the weighted mean payment error rate for all State 
agencies; and (D) 'dollar value equivalent' means the value of allot-
ments determined by multiplying a given error rate by the dollar 
value of all the allotments issued by a State agency during the 
particular period in question. 
"(3) The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine whether it is 
feasible to include in the calculation of each State agenc3r's payment 
error rate, and in the calculation of the national standeurd payment 
error rate, invalid decisions by each State agency denying eligibility 
to households that are in fact eligible. If the Secret^ determines 
that such a change in the method of calculation is feasible, the 
Secretary shall implement changes in the method of calculating 
payment error rates for the purposes described in this section. 
"(4) If the Secretary makes a claim against a State for payment 
under paragraph (1) of this subsection, that State may seek adminis-
trative and judicial review of such claim under the procedures set 
forth in section 14 of this Act. If such claim is ultimately determined 
to be valid or is not contested by the State, it shall be collected by the 
Secretary and may be collected through State payment, through 
withholding amounts otherwise payable to the State agency under 
subsection (a) of this section, or through other mechanisms author-
ized by the Federal Claims Ck)llection Act of 1966.". 
7 use 2014, 
2015. 
Feasibility 
study. 
Administrative 
and judicial 
review. 
7 use 2023. 
31 use 951 note. 
26 use 1402, 
3121, 3401. 
DISCU>SURE PROVISIONS 
SEC. 127. (aXD Subsection (i) of 
section 6103 of 
the Internal Revenue 
Ck)de of 1954 (relating to disclosure of returns and return information 26 use 6i03. 
for purposes other than tax administration) is amended by adding at 
the end thereof 
the following new paragraph: 
"(7) DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN RETURN INFORMATION BY SOCIAL 
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND 
TO STATE FOOD STAMP AGENCIES.— 
''(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner of Social Security 
may disclose return information from returns with respect 
to net earnings 
from 
self-employment (as defined in section 
1402), wages (as defined in section 3121(a) or 3401(a)), and 
payments of 
retirement income which have been disclosed to 
the Social Security Administration as provided by para-
graph (1) or (5) of 
tms subsection— 
"(i) upon request, to officers and employees of the 
Department of 
Agriculture, and 
"(ii) upon written request, to officers and employees of 
a State food stamp agency. 
"(B) RESTRICTION ON DISCLOSURE.—The Commissioner of 
Social Security shall disclose return information under sub-
paragraph (A) onl^ for purposes of, and to the extent neces-
sary in, determinmg an individual's eligibility for benefits, 
or the amounts of benefits, under the food stamp program 
established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977. 
"(C) STATE FOOD STAMP AGENCY.—For purposes of this 
paragraph, the term 'State food stamp agency means any 
agency described in section 3(nKl) of the Food Stamp Act of 
7 u s e 2011 note. 
94 STAT. 366 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
7 use 2012. 
26 use 6103. 
26 use 7213. 
Effective date. 
26 use 6103 
note. 
42 use 503. 
Notification to 
State agency. 
"State food 
stamp agency." 
1977 which administers the food stamp program established 
under such Act.". 
(2XA) Subparagraph (A) of section 6103(p)(3) of such C!ode (relating 
to records of inspection and disclosure) is amended by striking out 
"(1X1) or (4)(B) or (5)" and inserting in lieu thereof "(IXD, (4)(B), (5), 
or (7)". 
(B) Paragraph (4) of section 6103(p) of such Code (relating to 
safeguards) is amended by striking out "(1X3) or (6)" in so much of 
such paragraph as precedes subparagraph (A) thereof and inserting 
in lieu thereof "(1)(3), (6), or (7)". 
(C) Clause (i) of section 6103(p)(4)(F) of such Code is amended by 
striking out "a)(6)" and inserting in lieu thereof "(1)(6) or (7)'\ 
(D) The first sentence of paragraph (2) of section 7213(a) of such 
Code is amended— 
(i) by striking out "or any educational institution" and insert-
ing in lieu thereof "any educational institution, or any State food 
stamp agency (as defined in section 6103(1)(7)(C))", and 
(ii) by striking out "subsection (d), aX6), or (m)(4)(B)" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "subsection (d), (1)(6) or (7), or (m)(4)(B)". 
(3) The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on 
the date of 
the enactment of 
this Act. 
(bXD Section 303 of the Social Security Act is amended by adding at 
the end thereof the following new subsection: 
"(dXD The State agency charged with the administration of the 
State law— 
"(A) shall disclose, upon request and on a reimbursable basis, 
to officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture and 
to officers or employees of any State food stamp agency any of the 
following information contained in the records of such State 
agency— 
"(i) wage information, 
"(ii) whether an individual is receiving, has received, or 
has made application for, unemplo3mient compensation, and 
the amount of any such compensation being received (or to 
be received) by such individual, 
"(iii) the current (or most recent) home address of such 
individual, and 
"(iv) whether an individual has refused an offer of employ-
ment and, if so, a description of the employment so offered 
and the terms, conditions, and rate of pay therefor, and 
"(B) shall establish such safeguards as are necessary (as 
determined by the Secretary of Labor in regulations) to insure 
that information disclosed under subparagraph (A) is used only 
for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for bene-
fits, or the amount of benefits, under the food stamp program 
established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977. 
"(2) Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and 
opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the admin-
istration of the State law, finds that there is a failure to comply 
substantially with the requirements of paragraph (1), the Secretary of 
Labor shall notify such State agency that further pa3ntnents will not 
be made to the State until he is satisfied that there is no longer any 
such failure. Until the Secretary of Labor is so satisfied, he shall 
make no further certification to the Secretary of the Tresisury with 
respect to such State. 
"(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'State food stamp 
agency' means any agency described in section 3(n)(l) of the Food 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
94 STAT. 367 
Stamp Act of 1977 which administers the food stamp program '
^ ^sc 2012. 
established under such Act" 
(2) Paragraph (2) of section 304(a) of the Social Security Act is 42 use 504. 
amended by strildng out "subsection Qji) or (cV and inserting in lieu 
thereof "subsection 0)), (c), or (d)". 
(3) The amendments miade by this subsection shall take effect on E|ffftjy^^o^i® 
January 1,1983. 
PAYMENT OF CERTAIN LEGAL FEES 
42 u s e 503 note. 
SEC. 128. Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended by ^ use 2025. 
section 126 of 
this Act, is amended by adding at the end thereof 
a new 
subsection (h) as follows: 
"(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, counsel may be 
employed and counsel fees, court costs, bail, and other expenses 
incidental to the defense of 
officers and employees of 
the Department 
of Agriculture may be paid in judicial or administrative proceedings 
to which such officers and employees have been made parties and 
that arise directly out of their performance of duties under this Act; 
and". 
COST SHARING FOR COMPUTERIZATION 
SEC. 129. Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended by 
section 128 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end thereof a new 
subsection (i) as follows: 
"(i) Effective October 1,1980, the Secretary is authorized to pay to 
each State agency an amount equal to— 
"75 per centum of the costs incurred by the State agency in the 
planning, design, development, or installation of automatic data 
processing and information retrieval systems that the Secretary 
determines (1) will assist in meeting the requirements of this Act, (2) 
meet such conditions as the Secretary prescribes, (3) are likely to 
provide more efficient and effective administration of the food stamp 
program, and (4) will be compatible with other such systems used in 
the administration of State plans under the Aid to Families with 
Dependent Children Program under title IV of the Social Security 
Act: Provided, That there shall be no such payments to the extent 42 use 601. 
that a State agency is reimbursed for such costs under any other 
Federal program or uses such systems for purposes not connected 
with the food stamp program: Provided further, That any costs 
matched under this subsection shall be excluded in determining the 
State agency's administrative costs under any other subsection of 
this 
section.". 
CONTINUATION OF CASH-OUT PILOT PROJECTS 
SEC. 130. Section 17(bXl) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is '
^ use 2026. 
amended by adding at the end thereof a new sentence as follows: 
"Any pilot or experimental project implemented under this para-
graph involving the payment of 
the value of 
allotments in the form of 
cash to eligible households shall be continued until October 1,1981, if 
the State so requests.". 
WORKFARE JOB-SEARCH TIME PERIOD 
SEC. 131. Section 17(bX2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as 
amended, is amended by adding after the phrase "thirty days" in the P^^^' P ^
^
^ 
second sentence the following: "(ten days in at least one pilot project 
area designated by the Secretary)". 
79-194 O—81—pt. 1 
27 : QL3 
94 STAT. 368 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
7 use 2026. 
Ante, p. 367. 
Effective date. 
7 use 2026 note. 
WORKFARE PILOT PROJECT REVISIONS 
SEC. 132. (a) Section 17(b)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is 
amended by striking out everything after "Act," in the last sentence 
and inserting in lieu thereof the following: "shall issue interim 
reports no later than October 1,1979, October 1,1980, and March 30, 
1981, shall issue a final report describing the results of such pilot 
projects based upon their operation from their commencement 
through the fiscal year ending September 30,1981, and shall pay to 
the agencies or organizations operating such pilot projects 50 per 
centum of all administrative costs involved in such operation.". 
(b) The provisions of section 17(bX2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
for the sharing of administrative costs, as added by subsection (a) of 
this section, shall be effective on the date of enactment of this Act. 
7 u s e 2026. 
Results, report to 
congressional 
committees. 
STUDY OP CPI 
SEC. 133. Section 17 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, is amended by 
adding at the end thereof a new subsection (e) as follows: 
"(e) The Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secre-
tary of Labor, shall review the Consumer Price Index and the various 
alternative consumer price or cost-of-living indices, such as the 
Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) Deflator, to examine the 
limitations of each statistical alternative and the factors causing the 
various indices to differ with each other and to reflect inconsistencies 
with their own prior year indices in measuring the cost-of-living or 
the rate of inflation. The study shall seek to determine whether the 
Consumer Price Index is the most accurate indexation base for the 
food stamp program, or whether an alternative or combination of 
alternatives may be the more accurate indexation base to reflect 
consumer prices or changes in the costs of living. The Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office shall report the results of the study to 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate, together with such recommendations as the Director deems 
appropriate, by February 1,1981.". 
93 Stat. 389. 
7 use 2027. 
Post, p. 370. 
USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO INTERFERE WITH PROGRAM 
IMPLEMENTATION 
SEC. 134. Section 18(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended 
b y -
(1) inserting "(1)" immediately after the subsection designation; 
and 
(2) adding at the end thereof a new paragraph (2) as follows: 
"(2) No funds authorized to be appropriated under this Act or any 
other Act of Congress shall be used by any person, firm, corporation, 
group, or organization at any time, directly or indirectly, to interfere 
with or impede the implementation of 
any provision of 
this Act or any 
rule, regulation, or project thereunder, except that this limitation 
shall not apply to the provision of legal and related assistance in 
connection with any proceeding or action before any State or Federal 
agency or court. The President shall ensure that this paragraph is 
complied with by such order or other means as the President deems 
appropriate.". 
7 u s e 2014. 
Ante, p. 358. 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
94 STAT. 369 
ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE THRIFTY FOOD PLAN 
SEC. 135. Section 3(o) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended ^ use 2012. 
b y -
C
D striking out "and" before "(4)"; 
(2) inserting "through January 1, 1980," after "(4)"; and 
(3) inserting before the period at the end thereof the following: 
", (5) on January 1, 1981, adjust the cost of such diet to the 
nearest dollar increment to reflect changes in the cost of the 
thrifty food plan for the twelve months ending the preceding 
September 30, and (6) on January 1,1982, adjust the cost of such 
diet to the nearest dollar increment to reflect changes in the cost 
of the thrifty food plan for the twelve montli^ ending the 
preceding September 30 and the subsequent three months ending 
December 31 as projected by the Secretary in light of the best 
available data; and, as of every January 1 thereafter, for the nine 
months ending the preceding September 30 and the subsequent 
three months ending December 31 as projected by the Secretary 
in light of 
the best available data". 
ADJUSTMENTS OF DEDUCTIONS 
SEC. 136. Section 5(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended 93 stat. 390 
b y -
(1) striking out the comma after "1978 in the second sentence 
and inserting "through January 1, 1980," immediately there-
after; 
(2) inserting before the period at the end of the second sentence 
the following: ", and, on January 1,1981, shall be adjusted to the 
nearest $5 to reflect such changes for the twelve months ending 
the preceding September 30; and, on January 1, 1982, shall be 
adjusted to the nearest $5 to reflect such changes for the twelve 
months ending the preceding September 30 and the subsequent 
three months ending December 31 as projected by the Secretary 
in light of the best available data; and, as of every January 1 
thereafter, for the nine months ending the preceding September 
30 and the subsequent three months ending December 31 
projected by the Secretary in light of the best available data"; 
(3) striking out "(commencing July 1,1978)" in clause (2) of the 
fourth sentence and inserting in lieu thereof "on July 1, 1978, 
and July 1,1979" in lieu thereof; and 
(4) inserting before the period at the end of the fourth sentence 
the following: ", on January 1, 1981, adjusted to the nearest $5 
increment to reflect such changes for the eighteen-month period 
ending the preceding September 30, and, on January 1, 1982, 
adjusted to the nearest $5 to reflect such changes for the twelve 
months ending the preceding September 30 and the subsequent 
three months ending December 31 as projected by the Secretary 
in light of the best available data, and, on every January 1 
thereafter, adjusted annually to the nearest $5 increment to 
reflect such changes for the nine months ending the preceding 
September 30 £ind the subsequent three months ending Decem-
ber 31 projected by the Secretary in light of the best available 
data". 
94 STAT. 370 
PUBLIC LAW 96-249—MAY 26, 1980 
ADJUSTMENT OF POVERTY GUIDEUNES 
7 use 2014. 
SEC. 137. Section 5(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 
striking out everything after "forty-eight contiguous States" and 
inserting a period in lieu thereof 
REDUCTION IN ASSETS LIMITATIONS 
SEC. 138. Section 5(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 
striking out "$1,750" and inserting in lieu thereof "$1,500". 
RESTRICTION ON STUDENT PARTICIPATION 
7 use 2015. 
SEC. 139. Section 6(e) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 
striking out everything after "(1)" and inserting in lieu thereof the 
following: "is physically and mentally fit and is between the a^es of 
e^hteen and sixty, (2) is enrolled at least half time in an institution of 
higher education, and (3XA) is not employed a minimum of twentv 
hours per week or does not participate in a federally financed work 
study program during the regular school year or (B) is not the head of 
a household (or spouse of such head) containing one or more other 
persons who are dependents of that individual because he or she 
supplies more than half of their support, or (C) is not so enrolled as a 
result of 
participation in the work incentive program under title IV of 
the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 602).". 
SEC. 140. Section 6(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 is amended by 
striking out everything after "person" in the parenthesis in clause 
(D) of paragraph (2) and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 
"enrolled in an institution of higher education shall be ineligible to 
participate in the food stamp program unless he or she meets the 
requirements of 
subsection (e) of 
this section)". 
TITLE n—FOOD STAMP FUNDING 
APPROPRIATIONS CEILING 
2^x?o^^;,S 
SEC. 201. The first sentence of 
section 18(a) of 
the Food Stamp Act of 
7 use 2027 
1977 ^ amended b y -
Ante, p. 368. 
^^ striking out "$6,188,600,000" and inserting "$9,491,000,000" 
in lieu thereof; and 
(2) striking out "$6,235,900,000" and inserting "$9,739,276,000" 
in lieu thereof 
Approved May 26, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 96-295 accompanying H.R. 4303 (eomm. on Agriculture), No. 
96-788 (Comm. on Agriculture), and No. 96-957 (eomm. of eon-
SENATE REPORTS: No. 96-236 (eomm. on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry) and 
No. 96-704 (eomm. of eonference). 
eONGRESSIONAL REeORD: 
Vol. 125 (1979): June 25, 26, H.R. 4303 considered and passed House. 
July 21, 23, S. 1309 considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 126 (1980): May 7, 8, S. 1309 considered and passed House, amended. 
May 14, Senate agreed to conference report. 
May 15, House agreed to conference report. 
WEEKLY eOMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOeUMENTS: 
Vol. 16, No. 22 (1980): May 27, Presidential statement.