Do you need to get the SSI payment and you are a noncitizen? As a matter of fact, some noncitizens may qualify for Supplemental Security Income payments. Neertheless, the Social Security Administration (SSA) claims that Supplemental Security Income benefits are different requirements from Social Security benefits.
SSA states that a noncitizen who is a qualified alien or in one of certain alien classifications granted by the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) is essential to get money from the Supplemental Security Income program.
Who can get SSI as a noncitizen?
Here are the classifications granted by the Department of Homeland Security*:
- Admitted as a Ukrainian humanitarian Parolee.
- Admitted as Afghan Non-Special Immigrant Parolee.
- Admitted as an Afghan humanitarian parolee.
- Admitted as an Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrant.
- Admitted as an Amerasian Immigrant.
- A Haitian or Cuban Entrant.
- An alien whose removal is being withheld.
- Non-citizen: granted asylum.
- Admitted as a refugee.
- Paroled in the USA.
- Granted conditional entry.
- Lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
*being in one of the above classifications is not enough, applicants must also meet one of the conditions stated here: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11051.pdf
Social Security has different rules from the SSI program
The Social Security Administration, claims that lawfully present noncitizens of the United States of America who meet all the eligibility requirements can qualify for Social Security benefits.
Therefore, this SSA rule also applies to noncitizens authorized to work in the U.S. as long as they got an SSN (Social Security Number) after December 2003. So, you got your SSN up to 21 years ago.
But what if I want to continue receiving benefits outside the U.S.? Social Security claims that you must meet specific conditions to get benefits outside the United States.