There are many people living in the United States who are not United States citizens. This does not mean they are in the country illegally because many of them are here legally and are considered permanent residents, but not U.S. citizens. Although the majority of people receiving Social Security disability benefits are U.S. citizens, there are some non-citizens who are eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
To determine if a non-citizen is eligible for Social Security disability benefits, granted they meet the medial requirements set forth by Social Security, it is important to know there are two types of disability benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Generally non-citizens are not eligible for SSI benefits unless they meet very specific circumstances of how they came to the United States or unless they were legally residing in the United States by Aug. 22, 1996.
It is a different story when it comes to SSDI. As long as immigrants are permanent residents or lawfully present foreign workers who have paid taxes into Social Security long enough and more recent enough they should be eligible for disability benefits as long as they meet the medical requirements.
Because the SSDI program is a program where eligible disabled workers pay into Social Security to develop work credits and SSI is needs-based program where eligible recipients do not pay into Social Security to receive benefits, there is a distinction of the two programs.
As you may suspect, Social Security is not going to take anyone’s word that they are a citizen of the United States or even that they are a legal resident of the United States. Proper identification proving someone’s citizenship or residential status is required. To learn more about benefits for non citizens click here.
