In general, to be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), an alien must be in a qualified alien category (and meet an exception condition that permits eligibility for qualified aliens.

For information on

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  who is a qualified alien, see SI 00502.100A.2.

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  when a qualified alien can be eligible for SSI, see SI 00502.100A.3).

Aliens who are refugees, asylees, or who are in certain humanitarian immigrant categories can receive SSI for a maximum of 7 years depending on the date the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) granted the status. If the alien does not meet one of the exception conditions in SI 00502.100A.3.a. through SI 00502.100A.3.d., consider eligibility under this time-limited rule.

If DHS has lawfully admitted the alien for permanent residence (LAPR) status less than 7 years and does not meet the other alien eligibility requirements, we must consider time-limited eligibility based on prior alien status. (For information on time-limited eligibility aliens, see SI 00502.106.) If the alien is unable to qualify for the seven-year provision, to determine if they qualify for the SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act, see SI 00502.301.

If the claimant presents a letter from the Office of Refugee Resettlement certifying that they are a trafficking victim, take as much information as possible on the application and mark status as “other.” Contact your Regional Office SSI Policy Team immediately.

Complete question 11 when the claimant is neither a U.S. citizen by birth nor a naturalized U.S. citizen. Follow the "Go To" instructions.

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  For evidence of qualified alien status see SI 00502.130 and for verifying DHS documents, see SI 00502.115.

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  If the alien alleges being an American Indian born in Canada, verify status per SI 00502.105B.1.

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  If the alien alleges being a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe, verify status per SI 00502.105B.2.

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  SI 00502.100B Summary Guide: Individuals Who Are Potentially Eligible for SSI

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  SI 00502.106 Time-Limited Eligibility for Certain Aliens

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  SI 00502.135 LAPR with 40 Qualifying Quarters of Earnings

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  SI 00502.100 Basic SSI Alien Eligibility Requirements

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  SI 00502.153 SSI Eligibility for Nonqualified Aliens Who Were Receiving SSI on 8/22/96: “Grandfathering” Legislation

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  MS 08108.007 Alien Status