New law extends SSI eligibility for asylees and refugees
Effective today, a new law extends SSI eligibility for an additional two years to asylees, refugees, persons granted withholding of removal and other humanitarian immigrants. This law will benefit many people who had been cut off of SSI because they were not citizens.
If you lost SSI because you were not a citizen within seven years, you may now receive an additional two years if you meet one of the following conditions:
1. You are under 18 years old or over 70 years old; OR
2. You have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for less than six years; OR
3. You applied for lawful permanent residence within four years after you started receiving SSI: OR
4. You are or were granted status as a Cuban Haitian Entrant; OR
5. You have been granted withholding of removal; OR
6. You have a pending application for citizenship but you are not yet an American citizen.
If you have already lost your SSI benefits, you should immediately contact the Social Security Administration and let them know that you are eligible for an extension. You may either visit your local office or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. You can find the location of your nearest Social Security Office online by using the SSA's local office search locator. https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp
If your benefits were cut off less than 12 months ago, you will not need to reapply and your benefits should start the following the month.
If it has been more than 12 months, you will need to reapply. If you were receiving SSI because of you are blind or disabled, you will need to prove that you are still blind or disabled. If you were receiving SSI because you were over 65, you should receive your benefits soon after filing a new application.
