By 1993, major changes in food stamp benefits had arrived. The final legislation provided for $2.8 billion in benefit increases over Fiscal Years 1984-1988. Leon Panetta, in his new role as OMB Director, played a major role as did Senator Leahy. Substantive changes included:
* eliminating the shelter deduction cap beginning January 1, 1997;
* providing a deduction for legally binding child support payments made to nonhousehold members;
* raising the cap on the dependent care deduction from $160 to $200 for children under 2 years old and $175 for all other dependents;
* improving employment and training (E&T) dependent care reimbursements;
* increasing the FMV test for vehicles to $4,550 on September 1, 1994 and $4,600 on October 1, 1995, then annually adjusting the value from $5,000 on October 1, 1996;
* mandating asset accumulation demonstration projects; and
* simplifying the household definition.