Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Social Security Administration's (SSA) new rule on the effective date of application for Supplemental Security Income benefits. GAO noted that: (1) the rule implements section 204 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which changes the date a social security application is effective so that the earliest month for which benefits can be paid is the month following the month in which the application is filed; (2) previously, benefits were prorated for the month in which the application was filed; (3) the rule makes changes concerning emergency advance payments, interim assistance reimbursements, and in the definition of eligible spouse; and (4) SSA complied with applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.