If you are not a United States citizen, but are in the United States legally, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) depending on your age and whether or not you are medically disabled. There are strict criteria and most noncitizens will not be eligible for SSI, but a complete description of the requirements is below. It s also important to note that these rules apply only for SSI, there are different rules for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) because that program includes eligibility based on paying Social Security taxes through employment.
Who can get Supplemental Security Income?
Generally, if you’re a noncitizen in one of certain immigration categories granted by the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), you may be eligible for SSI if:
- You were lawfully residing in the United States on Aug. 22, 1996, and you’re blind or disabled; or
- You were receiving SSI on Aug. 22, 1996, and you’re lawfully residing in the United States; or
- You were lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and you have a total of 40 credits of work in the United States. (Your spouse’s or parent’s work also may count.)
NOTE: If you entered the United States on or after Aug. 22, 1996, then you may not be eligible for SSI for the first five years as a lawfully admitted permanent resident, even if you have 40 credits of earnings.
Some other noncitizens who may be eligible for SSI payments are:
- Active duty members of the U.S. armed forces;
- Noncitizen members of federally recognized Indian tribes;
- Certain noncitizens admitted as Amerasian immigrants;
- Cuban/Haitian entrants admitted under the Refugee Education Assistance Act;
- Certain victims of severe forms of human trafficking; and
- Certain Iraqi or Afghan special immigrants who are admitted as lawful permanent residents.
There are others who may be eligible for payments. If you’re a noncitizen and want to apply for SSI benefits, contact us to see if you’re eligible.
Seven-year limit for some noncitizens
Some refugees and other noncitizens can get SSI for up to seven years. If your SSI payments are limited to seven years because of your particular noncitizen status, we’ll send a letter to you telling you when your seven-year period ends. We’ll send another letter explaining your rights to appeal before we stop your payments.
If you’re a current or former SSI recipient subject to SSI eligibility under the seven-year time limit, and you’ve applied for citizenship, we encourage you to contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to find out how to:
- Expedite processing of your pending naturalization (N-400) or adjustment of status (I-485) application; and
- Waive fees for the cost associated with filing these applications.
