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Supplemental Security Income for Noncitizens(Internet Only) (May 2004) Reviewed: August 2005 |
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Who Can Get SSI?Generally, if you are a noncitizen, you may be eligible if:
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Who Is In a Qualified Category Under the Law?You are in a qualified category if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says you are one of the following:
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Under What Conditions May a Noncitizen in a Qualified Category Be Eligible For SSI?If you are in one of the 8 qualified categories listed above, you may be eligible for SSI if you also meet one of the following conditions:
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7-Year Limit for Certain NoncitizensYou may receive SSI for a maximum of 7 years from the date DHS granted you a status in one of the following categories, provided the status was granted within 7 years of filing for SSI:
IMPORTANT: You may be eligible for SSI beyond the 7-year period if you are in one of these categories and you also meet one of the other conditions listed above. |
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Exemption from August 22, 1996 Law for Certain Noncitizen IndiansCertain categories of noncitizens in the U.S. may be eligible for SSI and are not subject to the rules above. These categories include:
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Additional Eligible Noncitizen CategoryYou may be eligible for SSI under certain circumstances if the Department of Health and Human Services determines that you meet the requirements of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. |
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We Need Proof Of Your StatusIf you apply for SSI, you must prove your noncitizen status. Noncitizens who have served in the U.S. armed forces may also need to show us proof of military service. These are examples of things you may need to show us:
Your local Social Security office can tell you what other types of evidence you can submit to prove your noncitizen status. |
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Information About MedicaidIf you are getting Medicaid based on your SSI, your Medicaid should continue as long as you are eligible for SSI. |
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You Can File a New ClaimIf your SSI benefits stop because you are not an eligible noncitizen, you can apply again. Contact us right away if you become a U.S. citizen, your immigration status changes and you think you qualify, or have 40 quarters of work. You will need to bring us your naturalization certificate or other documents that show your immigration status. |
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If You Have a SponsorWhen you entered the U.S., you may have had someone sign an agreement to provide support for you. This agreement is called an affidavit of support, and the person who signed it is called your sponsor. In general, we count your sponsor’s and his or her spouse's income and resources as your income and resources from the time you came to the U.S. Your local Social Security office can give you more information about these rules and what they mean to you. |
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Social Security NumbersIf you are a lawfully admitted noncitizen with permission to work in the U.S., you may need a Social Security number. Ask for our publication, Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-10096). |
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Becoming a U.S. CitizenYou can get more information about becoming a citizen
by writing or visiting a local DHS office or calling |
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Contacting Social SecurityFor more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov
or call toll-free We treat all calls confidentially. We also want to make sure you receive accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some telephone calls. |
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