PUBLIC LAW 104-193—AUG. 22, 1996 110 STAT. 2265 beginning after December 31, 1996, did not receive any Federal means-tested public benefit (as provided under section 403) during any such period. (C) VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY EXCEPTION. —An alien who is lawfully residing in any State and is— (i) a veteran (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) with a discharge characterized as an honorable discharge and not on account of alienage, (ii) on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Armed Forces of the United States, or (iii) the spouse or unmarried dependent child of an individual described in clause (i) or (ii). (D) TRANSITION FOR THOSE CURRENTLY RECEIVING BENEFITS.—An alien who on the date of the enactment of this Act is lawfully residing in any State and is receiving benefits under such program on the date of the enactment of this Act shall continue to be eligible to receive such benefits until January 1, 1997. (3) DESIGNATED FEDERAL PROGRAM DEFINED.— For purposes of this title, the term "designated Federal program" means any of the following: (A) TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES. —The program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act. (B) SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT.— The program of block grants to States for social services under title XX of the Social Security Act. (C) MEDICAID. —^A State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act, other than medical assistance described in section 401(b)(1)(A). SEC. 403. FIVE-YEAR LIMITED ELIGIBILITY OF QUALIFIED ALIENS FOR 8 USC 1613. FEDERAL MEANS-TESTED PUBLIC BENEFIT. (a) IN GENERAL. —Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (d), an alien who is a qualified alien (as defined in section 431) and who enters the United States on or after the date of the enactment of this Act is not eligible for any Federal means-tested public benefit for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the alien's entry into the United States with a status within the meaning of the term "qualified alien". (b) EXCEPTIONS.— The limitation under subsection (a) shall not apply to the following aliens: (1) EXCEPTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLEES. — (A) An alien who is admitted to the United States as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. (B) An alien who is granted asylum under section 208 of such Act. (C) An alien whose deportation is being withheld under section 243(h) of such Act. (2) VETERAN AND ACTIVE DUTY EXCEPTION.—An alien who is lawfully residing in any State and is—
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