Hunger Relief Act of 1984

(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #342 (364-39))

Hunger Relief Act of 1984 - Title I: Food Stamp and Related Provisions - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make homeless persons eligible to participate in the food stamp program (program). Requires State agencies to develop related certification and issuance procedures.

Increases the basis for the adjustment of food stamp benefits from the existing 99 percent of thrifty food plan costs to 100 percent for FY 1985, and 101 percent for FY 1986.

Revises the definition of "disabled" to include certain persons receiving benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act or persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disabled benefits.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) program benefit levels should be reviewed; and (2) the House and Senate agricultural committees are encouraged to provide for such a review, to be completed by April 1, 1986.

Makes households each of whose members receive SSI or Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) categorically eligible for program participation. States that denial of eligibility or termination of benefits from such programs cannot be a basis for denial of food stamp eligibility or termination of benefits.

Excludes loan origination fees and insurance premiums from program "income."

Increases the earned income deduction from 18 to 20 percent. Caps (with annual October adjustments as of 1985) the excess shelter expense deduction at $155 per month in the 48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia, and in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Virgin Islands at $260, $215, $180, and $110 per month, respectively.

Revises the formula for computing the medical expense deduction from household income for the elderly and disabled.

Grants States the option of calculating income either prospectively or retrospectively. Authorizes States to require specified categories of households to report monthly, or at less frequent intervals.

Increases the resources limitation from $1,500 to $2,500, and from $3,000 to $3,500 for the elderly and disabled.

Provides for inflation adjustments to the ceiling on the value of a vehicle that may be excluded from a recipients' assets in determining food stamp eligibility. Sets a maximum adjustable ceiling of $5,500 (currently $4,500).

Permits States to stagger coupon issuance.

Requires the Secretary to send Food Stamp Disaster Task Force members to oversee the program in the event of a natural disaster.

Directs State agencies to: (1) periodically assess the need to keep food stamp offices open during weekend or evening hours; and (2) request, as a verification tool, information about unearned income from the Internal Revenue Service.

Directs State agencies to implement job search activities. Requires the obligation of $50,000,000 beginning with FY 1985 for such costs, and provides for 50 percent reimbursement for State expenses: (1) in excess of such $50,000,000; and (2) for participant reimbursement. Requires the Secretary to monitor such programs and report to specified congressional committees by April 1, 1987.

Establishes a four-year (FY 1985 through 1989) rural Alaskan food assistance pilot program. Sets forth program provisions. Requires program reports to specified congressional committees by March 1, 1988, and 1989, respectively.

Prohibits financial institutions from charging retail food stores for the redemption of food coupons. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, to issue implementing regulations.

Provides that beginning in FY 1986 State agency error penalties in excess of five percent shall be based on the total dollar amounts of issued coupons multiplied by such excess percentage, less any overpayments collected by such agency and returned to the Federal Government. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees by April 1, 1985, regarding existing quality control and statistical procedures.

Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to permit local programs to provide supplemental commodities to the elderly under terms prescribed by the Secretary. Prohibits any resulting reduction in assistance to women, infants, and children (WIC program).

Title II: Nutrition Monitoring - Directs the Secretary to: (1) include a representative sampling of low-income persons in the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) continuing food consumption survey; (2) continue to maintain USDA's nutrient data base; and (3) encourage research on standards and technologies for nutrition monitoring.

Title III: Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Education - Authorizes FY 1985 through 1988 appropriations for a program of food, nutrition, and consumer information services for low income households. Requires administration of such program through USDA's Extension Service and the State extension services.