Social Security
The 7-year rule for immigrants in the US who want to receive Social Security payments
Immigrants can receive monthly Social Security payments, as long as they meet the seven-year rule, among other requirements. Here’s how the process works.
The Social Security Administration issues millions of payments to its program beneficiaries every month. Most are retired workers, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income recipients.
The latter include adults over 65 and people with certain disabilities who have limited income or resources, regardless of their age. However, immigrants can also obtain these benefits.
Since SSI is subsidized by the government, beneficiaries can apply for the payment without having made contributions to the Social Security program.
According to the government agency, non-citizens/foreigners may be eligible for SSI payments thanks to the “7-year rule,” but what does this entail? Here’s how the process works.
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The 7-year rule for immigrants in the US who want to receive Social Security payments
The seven-year rule allows immigrants to receive Social Security benefits, specifically SSI, during this period of time. These benefits are limited to seven years due to the immigration status of the person requesting them.
To be eligible for payments, the immigrant must be in one of the following classifications granted by the Department of Homeland Security, according to official information from the Social Security Administration.
- You were lawfully admitted for permanent residence
- You were granted parole or asylum
- You are paroled into the United States
- You were admitted as a refugee
- You are an alien whose removal is being withheld
- You are a Cuban or Haitian entrant
- You were admitted as an Amerasian immigrant
- You were admitted as an Afghan or Iraqi special immigrant
You were admitted as an Afghan humanitarian parolee, or an Afghan non-special immigrant parolee - You were admitted as a Ukrainian humanitarian parolee
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You must also meet one of the following requirements:
- Legally living in the United States on August 22, 1996 and is blind or developed a disability
- You were receiving SSI benefits on August 22, 1996, and are living in the United States legally
- You were legally admitted for permanent residence, and you have a total of 40 U.S. work credits (Your spouse's or parent's work may also count)
- You are a veteran or active duty member of the U.S. armed forces, or the spouse or dependent of a veteran or active duty member of the U.S. armed forces.
- You are an American Indian born in Canada
- You are a non-citizen member of a federally recognized Indian tribe
- You are a victim of severe human trafficking
In 2024, SSI recipients receive a monthly payment of $943 on average for individuals and $1,415 for couples. Once the seven-year period is about to end, the beneficiary will receive a letter from Social Security informing them of the exact date their benefit will end.
Receiving limited SSI benefits may help you with the following:
- Expedite the processing of your pending petition for naturalization (Form N-400) or application to adjust your immigration status (Form I-485)
- Waive fees associated with filing these applications
For more information, visit the official Social Security website.
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