Effective Dates: 09/15/2026 - Present Previous | Next

TN 103 (09-26)

SI 02305.082 Developing Alien Status - RZs

Cross-refer to SI 00502.153

A. Introduction

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, P.L. 104-93, revised noncitizen eligibility for SSI payments. There are no questions on the RZ forms about the alien status since it does not apply to a majority of the general SSI population. However, the RZ interview provides the perfect opportunity to be certain our records show noncitizen recipients' current alien status codes. This is particularly important for recipients whose eligibility is time-limited.

This section provides information on the different alien statuses and changes that may affect the alien status codes.

The alien's status must be verified with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in all cases, including redeterminations and immigration status changes. Any DHS issued document, including the Certificate of Naturalization, must be verified by an online Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) request. Refer to SI 00502.110 for general alien development. For verification of status with DHS via SAVE, see SI 00502.115. Follow standard SAVE verification procedures in GN 00303.610 through GN 00303.640.

B. List of alien categories and possible changes

The following chart provides certain alien categories and some possible changes that could occur that would change the status code on the record:

CATEGORY. . . POSSIBLE CHANGES. . .

Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)

Naturalization
(AR Field Change)

Refugee
  • •

    Refugee Attainment of LPR status and 40 qualifying quarters (QQs). (Could permit eligibility for longer period.)

  • •

    Expiration of 7-year period. (Could end eligibility.)

  • •

    Attains military service or veterans status. (Could permit eligibility for longer period.)

Asylee

Same as refugee.

Deportation or Removal Withheld

Same as refugee and asylee.

Parolee
  • •

    Attainment of LPR status and 40 QQs. (Could permit eligibility for longer period.)

  • •

    Parolee status expires. (Could end eligibility.)

Military Service

Separation —eligibility ends if discharge is not honorable or is based on alienage. (Eligibility factor.)

Veterans
  • •

    Status Spouses marital relationship ends. (Eligibility factor.)

  • •

    Marriage of a child. (Eligibility factor.)

  • •

    Adoption of a child. (Eligibility factor.)

  • •

    Marital status between child's parent and veteran stepparent ends. (Eligibility factor.)

Battery

Adjustment to LPR Status (Could permit eligibility for longer period. See SI 00502.140 B.7 for rules on eligibility based on battery.)

NonQualified Grandfathered Alien
  • •

    Adjustment to Qualified Alien Status

  • •

    Naturalization

  • •

    Loss of PRUCOL status (could require non-payment of benefits — see SI 00501.420ff)

C. Procedure

When conducting an RZ interview with a noncitizen recipient, take the following steps to verify their current alien status:

Step Action
1 Has the alien status changed?
*** If yes, ask the alien recipient to provide the evidence needed to determine the correct alien status code so we can update our records and go to step 2.
*** If no, and the individual is on one of the time-limited categories, explain the 7-year eligibility rule. Explain how the time-limit affects them and suggest they apply for an adjustment to LPR status (or naturalization) as soon as they meet the DHS requirements. Refer them to DHS if they need information about adjustment to LPR status or naturalization. Ask the alien recipient to provide their most recent original immigration document and go to step 2.
2 Did the recipient provide the evidence?
*** If yes, review the immigration evidence following SI 00502.100A to verify the immigration status via SAVE. Scan legible copies of both sides of the immigration document into the electronic folder (e.g., Evidence Portal, eView). If the document includes an Alien Registration Number (ARN or A#), enter the ARN in Person Information. Return the immigration document to the claimant. After receiving the SAVE response, update the status code on the record as appropriate and store a copy of the SAVE response in the electronic folder. Once the immigration status has been verified via SAVE, continue developing other eligibility requirements, as appropriate.
*** If no, explain to the alien that they must provide their most recent original immigration document for verification of current alien status. If the individual indicates they do not have a current immigration document, provide the SAVE fact sheet, "SAVE Records: Fast Facts for Benefit Applicants," which provides information on contacting DHS to update, correct, or replace immigration documents. Go on to step 3.
3 If the individual does not provide the supporting evidence, then follow existing policy on failure to provide information in SI 02301.235.

D. References

  • •

    Basic SSI Alien Eligibility Requirements, SI 00502.100

  • •

    General Alien Development, SI 00502.110

  • •

    Verification of Alien Eligibility with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), SI 00502.115

  • •

    Documentary Evidence of Qualified Alien Status, SI 00502.130

  • •

    LPR with 40 Qualifying Quarters of Earnings, SI 00502.135

  • •

    Veteran or Active Duty Member of the Armed Forces, a Spouse, or a Dependent Child, SI 00502.140

  • •

    SSI Eligibility for Nonqualified Aliens Who Were Receiving SSI on 8/22/96-1998 “Grandfathering” Legislation, SI 00502.153

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0502305082
SI 02305.082 - Developing Alien Status - RZs - 09/15/2026
Batch run: 09/15/2026
Rev:09/15/2026