421-7      SSISupplemental Security Income ALIEN STATUS REQUIREMENTS

Alien status requirements for the SSISupplemental Security Income program may be more restrictive than those of the APAAdult Public Assistance program.  Because of this, there will be situations where an alien will meet the alien status requirements of the APAAdult Public Assistance program, but not SSISupplemental Security Income.  If it appears an individual will not be eligible for SSISupplemental Security Income because of their alien status, do not refer that person to apply for SSISupplemental Security Income .  The individual may qualify for APAAdult Public Assistance if all other APAAdult Public Assistance eligibility requirements except for SSISupplemental Security Income eligibility are met.

Aliens who appear eligible for SSISupplemental Security Income must be referred to apply for SSISupplemental Security Income .  Any alien who meets SSISupplemental Security Income alien status requirements will also be considered to have met the alien status requirements for APAAdult Public Assistance .

The following categories of qualified aliens may be eligible for SSISupplemental Security Income :

A. QUALIFIED ALIENS ELIGIBLE FOR SSISupplemental Security Income WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS

These aliens are not subject to either the seven-year time limit or the five-year waiting period described in B. and C. below.

• An alien lawfully residing in the U.S.United States and receiving SSISupplemental Security Income benefits on August 22, 1996;
   
• An alien lawfully residing in the U.S.United States on August 22, 1996 who is blind or disabled;
   
• An alien lawfully residing in the U.S.United States before August 22, 1996 who can be credited with 40 quarters of coverage under the Social Security Insurance system;
   
• U.S.United States military veterans or active-duty military, their spouses, and dependent children;
   
• A battered spouse or child of a U.S.United States Citizen or permanent legal resident who is a military veteran or active-duty military; or
   
• An American Indian born in Canada or a non-citizen member of a Federally recognized Indian tribes.
   

B. QUALIFIED ALIENS LIMITED TO SEVEN YEARS OF SSISupplemental Security Income ELIGIBILITY

SSISupplemental Security Income eligibility for these aliens is limited to a maximum of seven years.

• An alien admitted as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA ) for seven years from their date of admission or the date refugee status was granted;
   
• An alien granted asylum under section 208 of the INAImmigration & Nationality Act for seven years from their date of admission;
   
• An alien whose deportation has been withheld under section 243(h) of the INAImmigration & Nationality Act as in effect prior to April 1, 1997, or whose removal has been withheld under section 241(b)(3) of the INAImmigration & Nationality Act , for seven years after the date deportation or removal is withheld;
   
• A Cuban or Haitian entrant for seven years after their date of admission;
   
• An alien who is an Amerasian immigrant for seven years after their date of admission.
   

C.   QUALIFIED ALIENS WHO MUST SERVE A FIVE-YEAR WAITING PERIOD

These aliens must serve a five-year waiting period before they can qualify for SSISupplemental Security Income .

• An alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the U.S.United States after August 22, 1996 if the individual can be credited with 40 quarters of coverage under the Social Security Insurance system.