I Have a Green Card. Can I Get Disability Benefits From the SSA?

Do green card holders get Social Security disability benefits? If you hold a green card and provide for yourself or your family, you may qualify for federal payments if you become disabled. Lawful permanent residents — also known as immigrants lawfully admitted for permanent residence (LAPR) — are usually eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) after meeting certain medical and economic requirements.

We pulled together this FAQ to help you understand how and when green card holders can get Social Security disability benefits.

This information applies to green card holders (people with permanent resident status) only. Disabled H-1B holders, DACA recipients and asylees have different eligibility requirements.

Do Permanent Residents Get Disability? Key Takeaways and Criteria

• Many green card holders can get disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Eligibility depends on your income and other factors, such as if you’ve paid Social Security taxes
• There are two kinds of federal disability coverage: Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income
• Permanent residents may also qualify for other public benefits and charitable support
• Working with a disability lawyer makes the process simpler

Are Green Card Holders Eligible for Social Security Benefits?

Yes! Permanent residents who have a Social Security Number and have been paying FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes can receive Social Security benefits depending on:

• When you received LAPR status
• Where you live
• Whether you’ve worked at least 10 years in the U.S.
• What income you earned and have access to

To qualify, you must have gotten your Social Security Number on or after January 1, 2004, and it must be valid for work.

If you qualify, you get these Social Security benefits:

• Monthly retirement benefits to replace part of the income you earned before you retire
• Survivor benefits paid to widows, widowers, and dependents of eligible workers
• Disability benefitsto help cover expenses when you can’t work because of a physical or mental condition that lasts more than 12 months or may lead to death.

Can Green Card Holders Get Social Security Disability?

For the same reason that green card holders can be eligible for Social Security benefits, they are also eligible for Social Security disability if they meet all the requirements. Generally, green card holders get disability benefits from one of two SSA programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Can Green Card Holders Get SSI?

SSI is a federal benefits program that provides cash assistance to low-income disabled children and adults, including disabled people 65 years and older. People with LAPR status qualify if they’ve lived in the U.S. for at least five years, meet income and medical criteria and have 40 quarters of work (that’s about 10 years).

Your work counts toward the 40-quarter minimum only if you:

• Did the work in the U.S.
• Didn’t receive any means-tested public support, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and State Child Health Insurance Programbenefits.
• Aren’t slated for deportation or removal

GOOD TO KNOW: Work performed by parents of permanent residents under 18 or spouses during marriage can also be counted toward the 40-quarter threshold.

To see if you’re eligible, contact the SSA at www.ssa.gov or call 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Free interpreter services are available, including support for Spanish speakers.

Can Green Card Holders Get SSDI?

To apply for SSDI benefits as a permanent resident, you must be authorized to work in the U.S., have a Social Security Number assigned to you on or after January 1, 2004, and:

• Hold a non-immigrant visa (B-1, D-1, or D-2)
• Prove that you’re in the country lawfully for every month you’ll receive benefits
• Paid into the Social Security program
• Satisfy all other technical and medical criteria

SSA Eligibility Requirements for Other Disabled Immigrants

Disabled people with other immigration statuses may also be able to receive federal benefits. While the requirements vary widely depending on your status, here are a few common questions people have about their immigration status and disability benefits.

• Asylees or refugees can apply for lawful permanent resident status after one year of continuous presence in the country.
• H-1B visa holders whose employers withhold FICA taxes can seek disability payments.
• People with qualified alien status who fall into certain Department of Homeland Security categories may be able to get benefits.

Unfortunately, undocumented non-U.S. citizens can’t apply for either SSI or SSDI.

Can Applying for Disability Jeopardize Your Immigration Status?

You can access federal health programs without endangering your status or a family member’s. The Biden-Harris Administration enacted a 2022 rule establishing that noncitizens are entitled to health and other benefits without negative immigration consequences.

What Other Public Benefits Are Immigrants Eligible For?

Once a green card holder has lived in the U.S. for five years with lawful permanent resident status, they can apply for other federal benefits like:

• Medicaid and Medicare
• The Children’s Health Insurance Program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• The Supplemental Nutrition Association Program
• HUD housing assistance

Which States Offer Help for Green Card Holders?

Five states provide disability coverage beyond what is provided by the federal government, though eligibility for immigrants is different in each one. If you live in one of the following states, consider pursuing state-level benefits in addition to your Social Security benefits from the SSA.

1. California
2. Hawai’i
3. New Jersey
4. New York
5. Rhode Island

Some states, including Washington State and North Carolina, offer emergency assistance for noncitizens. Search online to find resources in your state.

Where Can Disabled Green Card Holders Go for Additional Support?

Local, state and national organizations assist lawful permanent residents and their families regardless of whether you qualify for benefits from the Social Security office. If you’re an immigrant needing help with disability benefits, consider some of the organizations below.

Community health centers deliver care regardless of immigration status. Use the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics locator to find medical services near you.

Faith-based organizations like Catholic Charities USA and Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services) offer financial and other help to immigrants and others in need. Visit your local house of worship to find services in your area.

Let a Disability Attorney Help With Your Benefits Case

When you’re living with a disabling condition, figuring out the federal benefits system can be arduous, especially when you’re dealing with complicated regulations and paperwork, documentation requirements, and language barriers.

Ease the strain by working with a disability attorney experienced in securing SSDI and SSI benefits for immigrants and green card holders.

Are you ready to see if you qualify? Click here to get a FREE, no-obligation consultation before starting your claim.