In 2025, and with the arrival of President Donald Trump to the White House for a second term, a series of doubts appear among immigrants from different countries who have recently been living and working in the United States, but also among those who have been doing so for years or even decades.
Although it may not seem like it, the government has an option for temporary financial aid for certain cases, but with a lot of details that you need to know. We are going to explain everything, without complicated terms, so that it is as clear as possible about how to apply for Social Security benefits as an immigrant.
What is this Social Security thing about, and why does it matter?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) sound similar, but they are not the same. SSI is like that good-natured cousin who helps you if you’re in trouble: it’s designed for adults over 65, people with disabilities, or those with low incomes (regardless of age).
The curious thing is that, unlike other programs, here you do not need to have worked in the US or have contributed to Social Security. Of course, you must meet specific requirements that are non-negotiable.
Now, why do we talk about immigrants? Because the SSI is open to foreigners, but with a key condition: the “7-year rule.” Basically, you can receive these payments for seven years, as long as your immigration status falls into certain categories. After that, the joke is over… unless you have moved forward with your process to stay legally.
The famous “7-year rule”: what does it say and who does it apply to?
Imagine that this benefit is like a time loan. You have seven years to receive financial aid (a few hundred dollars a month, depending on your case) while you resolve your immigration situation. But be careful, it is not for everyone. To qualify, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must recognize you in one of these categories:
- Permanent resident (yes, green card holders are on the list).
- Refugee or asylum (if you were accepted due to persecution in your country).
- On parole (no, it’s not jail; it’s a temporary permit to be in the US).
- Victim of human trafficking (with T-Visa status or similar).
Special cases:
- Afghans or Iraqis with special status.
- Ukrainians on humanitarian parole.
- Native Americans born in Canada or members of recognized tribes.
- Amerasian immigrants (yes, it’s a real category).
And here comes the plot twist: even if you fall into one of these categories, you need to meet at least one of these extra requirements in order to be considered eligible:
- You were living legally in the US since August 22, 1996 and you are also blind or have a disability.
- You received SSI before 1996 and are still living legally in the country.
- You have 40 work credits (or your spouse/parents count). Credits? Each year worked in the US gives you up to 4 credits. That is, 10 years of work = 40 credits.
- You are a military veteran, on active duty, or are an immediate family member of one.
- You are part of a federally recognized indigenous group.
More things to know to correctly apply for Social Security benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t just give away money. They will review everything: your immigration status, income, resources (such as property or savings) and even your work history. Therefore, before applying, gather these papers:
- Proof of immigration status (green card, asylum document, etc.).
- Pay stubs or tax returns (to prove low income).
- Work history (if you use your family’s credits, bring their documents too).
- Medical reports (if you apply for disability).
If you do not have all the documents when you apply, the SSA gives you a reasonable amount of time so that you can gradually add the documents as you obtain them.
The clock doesn’t stop: what happens when the 7 years are up
Here comes the serious part. When there are six months left until your benefit ends, the SSA sends you a letter with the exact date of the last payment. What to do then? You have two options:
- Accelerate your citizenship: If you already meet the requirements, submit Form N-400 (it is the naturalization form).
- Adjust your immigration status: With Form I-485, you can change to permanent resident or another category.
And here’s the cool tip: if you are receiving SSI, you can ask to be exempt from the fees for these procedures. Take advantage! The N-400 fee, for example, is $725, but with the exemption, you save that money.