Every month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) disburses Social Security benefits to eligible recipients. But what about immigrants? Can they receive these benefits?
To receive retirement benefits through Social Security, individuals must possess a Social Security number (SSN), which is granted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents or obtained upon receiving a work permit. Moreover, certain credit, earnings, and retirement age criteria must be met.
Non-citizens residing legally in the United States or living abroad and meeting specific requirements can indeed receive Social Security benefits. The following conditions make non-citizens living in the United States eligible for Social Security:
– They are legal permanent residents.
– They possess a visa that permits them to work in the United States.
– They were admitted into the country under the Family Unity or Immediate Relative provisions of U.S. immigration law.
Non-citizens residing outside the United States may also qualify for Social Security benefits if they previously worked in the United States and earned enough Social Security credits.
What about Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Can immigrants receive it?
According to the SSA, non-citizens can potentially be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if they meet the requirements of the non-citizen laws. As of August 22, 1996, most non-citizens must fulfill two conditions to potentially qualify for SSI:
– They must belong to a qualified alien category.
– They must satisfy a condition that permits qualified aliens to receive SSI.
Now, let’s delve into the amount of money disbursed through Social Security checks.
Each year, the SSA calculates the benefit amounts individually based on the “Primary Insurance Amount” (PIA). The payment may be influenced by factors such as the age of the beneficiaries and the cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase.
In January, the SSA disclosed that in 2023, due to an 8.7% rise in COLA, the average retiree payments increased to around $1,827. On the other hand, the maximum monthly benefit amounts for retirement are as follows: $2,572 for those retiring at age 62, $3,627 for individuals retiring at full retirement age (67), and $4,555 for those retiring at or after age 70.