Can a Permanent Resident Draw Social Security Disability?

Social Security Disability is a federal program that pays benefits to disabled people. Studies show that one in a three people in the United States are disabled, according to the Social Security Administration. You can find more information about this program on the Social Security website in the publication entitled "Disability Benefits."

Social Security Disability Eligibilty

• If you are a permanent resident or a U.S. citizen, you can receive Social Security Disability benefits as long as you meet the program requirements for eligibility. A permanent resident who has worked long enough relative to the age at which he became disabled and who has paid Social Security taxes is eligible to receive SSD benefits. Your disability must be classified as severe. "Severe" means that you have been diagnosed to have a condition that will probably lead to death or that your condition is going to last for more than a year. With few exceptions, your condition must cause you to not be able to provide for your family by working regularly.

Social Security Credits

• Although you might qualify to receive benefits if you are a permanent resident, you must meet the amount of Social Security credits required to enroll in the program. As of 2011, a Social Security credit is equivalent to $1,120 of earned income you receive. You can accumulate up to four credits in a year. Generally, you need 40 credits to qualify for Social Security benefits, which corresponds to 20 years of work. However, the exact amount of credits that you need depends upon your age when you became disabled. If you are younger than 24 years of age, you need six credits. If you are younger than 30 years of age, the amount of credits you need depends on your exact age and how many years you worked. If you are younger than 62 years of age, you need at least 20 credits.

Social Security Disability Benefits

• The amount of benefits you receive depends upon your earned income for the years you worked. Benefits do not start until the sixth month of disability and are paid on the first of every month. You can set up a direct deposit transfer or you can choose to receive your checks through the mail. Once payments start, they continue for the entire period in which you are still considered disabled. For this reason, your condition is constantly being reviewed.

Supplemental Security Income

• You might also be able to get Supplemental Security Income benefits as a permanent resident. The SSI program is also a program that pays benefits for people with a disability (or blindness). However, to qualify, you are also required to have low income. You do not need to have worked and paid Social Security tax to qualify to receive SSI benefits. So, if you are a permanent resident who is disabled, but you do not meet the necessary requirements to receive SSD benefits, you can apply for SSI benefits.