I am Not a U.S. Citizen - Am I Eligible for Federal Benefits?
Are you present in the United States in a lawful immigration status, but are not sure if you qualify for any financial assistance under federal law?
There are four primary benefits offered under federal law. These include the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps), the Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance, and Medicaid.
Whether you qualify for any one benefit generally depends on your specific immigration status and how long you have lived and worked in the U.S.
Am I eligible for
the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?
• Refugees and asylees are eligible
• Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) (green card holders) with a substantial work history—generally 10 years (40 quarters) of work
documented by Social Security or other employment records—or a military
connection (active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families) are
eligible
• Disabled LPRs are eligible
• LPRs who were elderly (65+) and legal residents as of August 22, 1996, are
eligible
• LPRs who have been legal residents for five years or are children (under 18) are
eligible
Am I eligible for
the
Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) program?
• Refugees and asylees are eligible for SSI for seven years
after arrival, and a
fter which time they
generally are ineligible
• LPRs with a substantial work history—generally 10 years (40 quarters) of work
documented by Social Security or other employment records—or a military
connection (active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families) are
eligible, but note that
LPRs are not eligible during the first five years even if they had 40
credits of earnings (e.g., as a temporary worker)
• LPRs receiving SSI as of August 22, 1996, continue to be eligible for SSI
• Disabled LPRs who were legal residents as of August 22, 1996, are eligible
Am I eligible for
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance?
• LPRs with a substantial work history—generally 10 years (40 quarters) of work
documented by Social Security or other employment records—or a military
connection (active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families) are
eligible, but note that
LPRs entering after August 22, 1996, are barred for
five years, after which their coverage becomes a state option
• Refugees and asylees
are eligible for at least five years after arrival, after which time
they
may be eligible at state option
Am I eligible for Medicaid?
• LPRs with a substantial work history—generally 10 years (40 quarters) of work
documented by Social Security or other employment records—or a military
connection (active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families) are
eligible, but note that
LPRs entering after August 22, 1996, are barred for
five years, after which their coverage becomes a state option
• Medicaid coverage is required for all otherwise-qualified SSI recipients (they
must meet SSI noncitizen eligibility tests)
• Refugees and asylees are eligible for seven years
after arrival, after which time
they
but may be eligible at state option
Read about the history of federal benefits for non-citizens and trends in use in this report from the Congressional Research Service:
Noncitizen Eligibility for Federal Public Assistance: Policy Overview and Trends