These final rules revise our regulations to reflect and implement section 204 of Public Law 104-193, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Section 204 changed the date an SSI 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. Section 204 also made related changes concerning emergency advance payments (EAPs), interim assistance reimbursements (IARs) and in the definition of ``eligible spouse.''