Legal immigrants in the United States are eligible for Social Security and Social Security Disability just as any native-born citizen of the United States would be. Although the attorneys at Disability Associates only offer legal services related to Social Security Disability benefits, the legal professionals at Disability Associates are happy to provide additional information concerning Social Security retirement benefits. Here, the Social Security Disability attorneys at Disability Associates provide an overview of Social Security and Social Security Disability benefits for immigrants.

What Requirements Must Immigrants Meet to Apply for Social Security?

Immigrants are eligible for Social Security and can collect Social Security benefits if they meet the requirements for work credits or qualify with earnings they made abroad. In order to be eligible to collect Social Security, you must first apply for a Social Security number. Once you have a Social Security number, you can begin the process of earning the required amount of work credits to receive benefits, which is 40 credits. 40 work credits are equal to ten years of work.

If you are a legal immigrant who has not earned enough work credits in the United States, you can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits with the credits you have earned in your native country, if your native country is one of the 26 countries with which the United States has made Social Security agreements. These agreements are called totalization agreements. 

Can Immigrants Collect Disability Benefits or Supplemental Security Income?

Legal immigrants are able to collect disability benefits just as a native-born American citizen can. Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), which provides benefits to disabled workers, can be collected by individuals who are not U.S. citizens based on criteria such as work history and other requirements. As long as you are a legal immigrant who meets the criteria to collect disability established by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you can collect disability income if you are a worker and you become disabled.

In order to collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must be a citizen of the United States who has limited financial resources and who is disabled, age 65 or older, or who has children who are disabled. If you are not a citizen of the United States and want to collect SSI, you must be considered a qualified alien. If you meet the requirements to be a qualified alien, have 40 work credits, do not have a barring criminal history and are considered Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence (LAPR), you may be able to qualify for SSI benefits. Visit this link to see if you meet the requirements to be considered a qualified alien. 

Learn More with the Help of a Social Security Disability Attorney at Disability Associates

The intricacies surrounding Social Security Disability benefits can be complex, especially if you are not a native-born citizen of the United States. If you are a legal immigrant who is curious regarding whether or not you qualify to collect Social Security Disability benefits, there are many avenues you can take to discover what benefits you are eligible to apply for. Contact the qualified Social Security Disability attorneys at Disability Associates today to see if you are eligible to apply for disability benefits as an immigrant.