SSI, TANF, and housing assistance

This page explains three programs: SSI, which provides monthly payments to elderly and disabled people; TANF, which supports families with children; and government-assisted housing. All three have strict rules tied to immigration status. Below, you will find who can apply, the 2026 amounts, where to apply, and how these benefits may affect the green card process.

• SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and limited assets. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the program.
• SSI is not based on working and paying payroll taxes. In this respect, it differs from Social Security retirement benefits (see 17.1 U.S. Social Security retirement benefits).
• The maximum federal SSI payment in 2026 is:
  • individual: $994/month
  • person whose spouse is also eligible for SSI (as a couple): $1,491/month
  • “essential person”: $498/month
• These amounts include the 2.8% cost-of-living increase effective January 2026.
• To receive payments, you must meet all of the age or disability, income, and asset requirements in addition to the immigration requirement.

1. Be a “qualified alien.” This group includes:
   • green card holders
   • refugees and asylees
   • people granted parole for at least one year
   • people granted withholding of removal
   • Cuban and Haitian entrants
   • certain victims of domestic violence who meet specific requirements
2. Meet an additional condition. Examples:
   • A green card holder with 40 quarters (approximately 10 years) of work in the United States. People who entered on or after August 22, 1996, also have a five-year waiting period (with exceptions).
   • Being a refugee, asylee, person granted withholding of removal, or Cuban/Haitian entrant who received that status within the seven years before applying for SSI.
   • U.S. military veterans, active-duty service members, their spouses, and dependent children.
   • People who were lawfully present in the United States on August 22, 1996, and were blind or disabled.
   • People who were receiving SSI on August 22, 1996.
3. Tourist, student, and temporary work visa holders are not considered qualified aliens.
4. SSA verifies your immigration status with DHS’s SAVE system when you apply and during later reviews.

• Quarters are earned in the same way as Social Security credits. In 2026, every $1,890 in earnings earns one credit; you can earn no more than 4 credits in one year.
• For SSI, the following may also be added toward 40 quarters:
  • your spouse’s quarters earned during the marriage (if the marriage continues or your spouse has died)
  • your parents’ quarters earned before you turned 18
• Quarters from a spouse or parent count only for SSI. They are not added to your retirement record.
• If you entered on or after August 22, 1996, even if you have 40 quarters, you cannot receive SSI until five years have passed after your entry as a qualified alien.

• The income and assets of the sponsor who signed a financial sponsorship undertaking for your green card, and of the spouse living with that sponsor, may be counted in your SSI calculation as if they were your income. This is called “sponsor deeming.”
• This rule may apply even if the sponsor does not actually give you money and lives in a separate home.
• SSI is not paid abroad:
  • If you spend an entire calendar month outside the United States, you cannot receive SSI for that month.
  • If you stay outside the United States for 30 consecutive days, payments will not resume until you have been back in the United States for 30 consecutive days.
  • For SSI purposes, the “United States” includes only the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the Northern Mariana Islands.

1. Check the requirements: age or disability, income and assets, and immigration status.
2. Call SSA: +1 800 772 1213 (TTY: +1 800 325 0778). Or find your nearest SSA office using the office locator.
3. Prepare your immigration document. SSA will also verify your status with DHS.
4. If you qualify for SSI and have Medicare, you automatically receive “Extra Help” with Medicare prescription drug costs (see 17.6 Medicare).

• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is a federally funded but state-administered program that helps low-income families with children. It is commonly called “welfare.”
• It helps with food, housing, heating, and child-care expenses. Many states also provide assistance with job training and work-related education costs.
• Each state or tribal government has a different program; even the name may vary. You apply in the state where you live.
• Benefits are generally deposited onto a bank card electronically or into your account. Some states also issue checks.
• Time limit: Federal TANF funds may provide assistance to a family with an adult for a total of 60 months, even if the months are not consecutive. The law contains some exceptions.
• For immigrants: TANF is considered a means-tested public benefit. Qualified aliens who entered on or after August 22, 1996, cannot receive this benefit for five years from the date they entered in that status.
  • Refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, veterans, and their families are exempt from this waiting period.
• To report a complaint or fraud, contact the local TANF office or the HHS Office of Inspector General.

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds public housing and Section 8 rental assistance programs. Local public housing agencies (PHAs) and landlords administer these programs.
• Under a law called Section 214, these programs provide assistance only to U.S. citizens and certain immigration statuses listed in the law.
• Mixed family: If people with and without eligible status live together in a family, the family may choose to receive prorated assistance. The benefit is calculated based on the number of people with eligible status divided by the total number of household members.
• In November 2025, HUD announced that it considers all of its public and assisted housing programs to be “federal public benefits” under PRWORA.
  • Grant programs such as ESG and CoC grants for people experiencing homelessness, as well as HOME and CDBG, were also included.
  • HUD announced that it would issue separate guidance on how immigration status will be verified.

• Social Security Administration (SSA) — SSI applications and questions
  • Phone: +1 800 772 1213 (TTY: +1 800 325 0778)
  • Address (headquarters): 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235
  • Local office: SSA office locator
• State TANF office — TANF applications
  • Web: ACF state TANF page and USA.gov TANF page
• HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) — housing programs and complaints
  • Address: 451 7th St. SW, Washington, DC 20410
  • Phone: +1 202 708 1112 (TTY: +1 202 708 1455)
  • Nearest public housing agency: PHA list
  • Free housing counselor: Find a HUD housing counselor
  • State resources: HUD state pages

• SSI, TANF, and other cash benefits received before September 18, 2026 were already considered in the “public charge” assessment.
• On and after September 18, 2026, any means-tested benefit, including public housing or rental assistance, may be considered. Applications submitted and approvals received after this date may also be included in the assessment. Details: see 16.5 “Public charge”.
• SSI and TANF are considered “federal means-tested public benefits” for Form I-864 purposes. If a sponsored immigrant receives these benefits, the agency providing them may seek reimbursement from the sponsor; if it is not paid, the agency may file a lawsuit.

• Confusing SSI with Social Security retirement benefits. SSI is based on income and immigration status, not work history.
• Failing to include a spouse’s or parents’ work when calculating the 40 quarters.
• Staying in Turkey for more than 30 days while receiving SSI.
• Not knowing that a sponsor’s income may be included in the SSI calculation.
• Failing to request prorated assistance as a mixed family.
• Applying for housing or cash assistance without advice while the green card process is ongoing.

• I have a green card but have never worked. Can I receive SSI? Generally, no. In addition to being a qualified alien, you need an additional condition such as 40 quarters. Your spouse’s quarters earned during the marriage may count for you.
• I came as a refugee. How long can I receive SSI? Refugees, asylees, and people with similar statuses may receive SSI within seven years from the date the status was granted. After that, you must meet another condition, such as 40 quarters.
• Can SSI be sent to Turkey? No. If you spend an entire calendar month or 30 consecutive days outside the United States, payments stop.
• Can I receive TANF with a student visa? No. Temporary visa holders are not qualified aliens.
• There is a citizen child in my family, and I have a visa. Can we receive rental assistance? You may receive prorated assistance as a mixed family. HUD’s 2026 proposed rule recommends limiting this assistance; ask your PHA about the current status.
• How long can I receive TANF? With federal funding, a family with an adult may receive assistance for a total of 60 months. Your state’s own limit may be shorter; ask your office.

• SSA office locator
• SSI for Noncitizens – SSI brochure for immigrants (PDF, SSA)
• Public housing agencies (PHA) list
• Find a HUD housing counselor
• Form I-864 (PDF)
• Full text of the HUD 2026 proposed rule