im not a us citizen Can i receive ssi.

Q) im not a us citizen but been a legal resident for 35 years.im actually applying to be a citizen. Can i receive ssi now.Im a low income person and need the help.thanks

A) According to the Social Security Administration – Generally, to be eligible for SSI as a non-citizen, you must be in one of certain alien classifications granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Therefore,you may be eligible for SSI if you are:
• Lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
• Granted conditional entry;
• Paroled into the United States;
• Admitted as a refugee;
• Granted asylum;
• An alien whose removal is being withheld;
• A Cuban or Haitian Entrant;
• Admitted as an Amerasian Immigrant; or
• Admitted as an Afghan or Iraqi Special Immigrant.
In addition to being in one of the above classifications, you must also satisfy one of these requirements to be eligible for SSI as a non-citizen:
• You were lawfully residing in the United States on
Aug. 22, 1996, and you’re blind or disabled; or
• You were receiving SSI on Aug. 22, 1996, and
you’re lawfully residing in the United States; or
• You were lawfully admitted for permanent residence
and you have a total of 40 credits of work in the
United States. (Your spouse’s or parent’s work also
may count); or
• You’re a veteran or active duty member of the
United States Armed Forces, or a spouse or
dependent of a veteran or active duty member of the
United States Armed Forces; or
• You’re an American Indian born in Canada; or
• You’re a non-citizen member of a federally
recognized Indian tribe; or
• You’re a victim of severe forms of human trafficking.
There are others who may be eligible for payments. If
you’re a non-citizen and want to apply for SSI benefits,
contact us to see if you’re eligible.