Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Ensuring Adequate Food Assistance Title II: Promoting Self-Sufficiency Title III: Simplifying the Provision of Food Assistance Title IV: Commodity Distribution to Needy Families Title V: Implementation and Effective Dates Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act - Title I: Ensuring Adequate Food Assistance - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the excess shelter deduction cap for purposes of food stamp program (program) eligibility. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust the basic benefit level upwards by specified increments at the beginning of each fiscal year until it reaches 105 percent of the cost of the thrifty food plan. Eliminates food stamp reductions for certain reapplying households. Excludes third party payments for transitional housing for the homeless from consideration as program income. Increases funding for the nutrition assistance program in Puerto Rico. Excludes general assistance vendor payments from consideration as program income. Excludes the income of high school students from consideration as program income. Title II: Promoting Self-Sufficiency - Excludes from consideration as program income: (1) the first $50 a month received as child support; and (2) child support payments to non-household members. Increases annually the fair market value limit of vehicles that program recipients may own. Excludes from financial resources the value of a vehicle a household depends upon to carry heating fuel or water for home use when transported fuel or water is the household's primary source of such item. Increases dependent care deductions and participant and State agency reimbursements in connection with employment and training activities. Title III: Simplifying the Provision of Food Assistance - Permits related adults living in the same household to apply for separate program benefits under specified conditions. Permits a participating family made up of, or including, an elderly or disabled member to own $3,000 in allowable financial resources. Repeals provisions authorizing benefit reductions due to insufficient funding. Title IV: Commodity Distribution to Needy Families - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 with respect to the Secretary of Agriculture's spending authority for the temporary emergency food assistance program. Title V: Implementation and Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act.