SSDI Benefits for Green Card Holders

If you are a U.S. green card holder, it means that you are a permanent resident. This means that you can work freely in the U.S. like any other American citizen. However, you might be wondering whether you’ll be able to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in the event that you suffer an illness or injury that renders you unable to perform your job. The following are a few things that you should know about getting SSDI benefits as a green card holder.

SSDI Benefits for Permanent Residents

If you’re a permanent resident, then you will be eligible for SSDI benefits as long as you meet the same criteria that American citizens have to meet. The criteria for qualifying for SSDI benefits as a permanent resident is as follows:

• Proof of status – You must be able to prove that you are a legal permanent resident.
• The proper amount of credits – You will need to have a certain amount of work credits in order to qualify, depending on your age. Credits refer to the amount of money that you’ve paid into the Social Security system. For 2019, you receive a single credit for earning $1,360, and you can earn up to four credits a year.
• Qualifying disability – First of all, the injury or illness that you have must match with the Social Security Administration’s definition of a disability. It has a Blue Book that lists all of the conditions it considers disabilities. If your condition isn’t listed, then you need to be able to prove that your symptoms closely match the symptoms listed in the Blue Book. Additionally, you will need to prove that the condition you have has prevented you from working for at least a year or is expected to cause you to be unable to work for at least a year. You will need a professional diagnosis as well as medical documents to prove all of this.

SSI Benefits for Permanent Residents

When it comes to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), qualifying is a little less straightforward for permanent residents. Besides having to meet the same criteria as American citizens, you may be eligible for SSI if you have / are:

• Earned 40 credits of work in the U.S. This can include the credits of your parent or spouse as well.
• Blind or disabled and you’ve been legally living in the U.S. since August 22, 1996, or before.
• Active duty member of the U.S. armed forces.
• Cuban or Haitian refugee.
• Special immigrant from Iraq or Afghanistan.
• Admitted as an Amerasian immigrant.
• Victim of a severe type of human trafficking.

If you entered on or after August 22, 1996, then you may not be eligible for SSI until you’ve been a permanent resident for at least five years, no matter how many credits you’ve earned. Additionally, there may be a seven-year limit on SSI payments for some refugees and non-citizens.

If you have a green card, then you are a permanent resident and you’ll have the same opportunity to qualify for SSDI benefits as an American citizen. However, there are more criteria that you will need to meet if you want to apply for SSI. For more advice concerning your permanent resident status and your ability to collect Social Security benefits, be sure to contact us at any time. Call 602-952-3200 or use our LiveChat feature to schedule a free consultation today.

This is attorney advertising. SSDA, LLC is a group of attorneys that pursues claims for Social Security Disability benefits on behalf of its clients against the Social Security Administration. SSDA, LLC is in no way a part of the Social Security Administration. Further, the information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, a representative-client relationship.