Disability benefits on a green card.

[lizzy33 2]

What are the rules for claiming any disability benefits? When I came to the US I had pre-existing mental health problems (anxiety and panic disorder) but I expected to eventually be able to work. Since being here it has worsened and I am now totally housebound unless I am accompanied by my husband, I am in chronic pain and have been prescribed muscle relaxers for severe tension in my back, shoulders, neck and head and I also have to take Xanax when I begin to panic, so some days it's even difficult for me to get out of bed. I've tried applying for thousands of part-time work-at-home jobs but I never hear back or they tell me I need to have so much experience with working from home already, which I don't. At this point the only way I could have my own personal income is if, by some miracle, I find a job that caters for my health issues or I apply for disability, but I keep receiving mixed information on whether I am eligible or not. I have a green card and social security number but, like I said, I've only been here for two years. Can anyone shed any light? My husband works, but we have a house with mortgage and other bills to pay, so he covers that but I don't have any money left over so that I can afford to get the healthcare I need (mental health therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic help for a rotated rib cage due to the severe tension in my muscles). Claiming benefits is my complete last resort and any info or advice will be appreciated.

Also sorry if this is not the right forum for this, I couldn't find anywhere else that seemed fitting.

[LBeachey 45]

You most likely are not elgible for disability benefits. Most disability benefits int he US are either through your employer or through Social Security. In general for Social , you have to have a minimum of five years of earnings over $4880 before you are eligible. http://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/dqualify2.html

The I-864 your husband signed makes him liable for your support in this country.

Sorry and Good Luck.

[carolynhotstuff 252]

There is such a thing called SSI. This is for people that have never worked and need disability benefits but your husbands income would be taken into account. The best thing is to call social security and ask them your questions. Social security benefits take time to get. If denied if could take several years to fight for benefits.

I don't know of any one with a green card that gets SSI but I don't know all the rules that why I said call them. They are not the Department of State and a more well run agency.

[Ontarkie 14,499]

~~Moved to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America, from AOS Family. ~~

[Boiler 46,123]

SSI is a means tested benefit I thought. Might be able to piggy back on spouses contributions?

[lizzy33 2]

You most likely are not elgible for disability benefits. Most disability benefits int he US are either through your employer or through Social Security. In general for Social , you have to have a minimum of five years of earnings over $4880 before you are eligible. http://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/dqualify2.html

The I-864 your husband signed makes him liable for your support in this country.

Sorry and Good Luck.

Yeah, I figured it was a minimum of 5 years. I've also been told I have to work for a minimum of ten years to be eligible too, which kind of defeats the purpose, but I can't really complain too much lol! Thanks!

There is such a thing called SSI. This is for people that have never worked and need disability benefits but your husbands income would be taken into account. The best thing is to call social security and ask them your questions. Social security benefits take time to get. If denied if could take several years to fight for benefits.

I don't know of any one with a green card that gets SSI but I don't know all the rules that why I said call them. They are not the Department of State and a more well run agency.

Yup, I've been trying to figure out the whole SSI thing because that's where I'm getting a lot of conflicting results. I'll probably give Social Security a call and ask them about it, thanks.

[Boiler 46,123]

Dont forget to mention the I 864.

[lizzy33 2]

Dont forget to mention the I 864.

About that, we used a co-sponsor (my husband's dad), but he is actually dying right now (he's been in the ICU for over 2 months and isn't expected to go on much longer). Would that make any kind of difference/cause any issues?

[Boiler 46,123]

Your Husband is the Sponsor so responsibility first resides with him, his Father is the Joint Sponsor if he is unable to comply.

I believe that his death would remove him from the picture, presumably his Estate would be liable for anything up to his death.

[Ontarkie 14,499]

I'm in the process of getting my older daughter SSI. You do need to be a USC for SSI, it's basically welfare. I don't know if amounts change by State but SSI here is less then 800 a month. If she were to get married her spouse's income would be subtracted from her check.

[Boiler 46,123]

I'm in the process of getting my older daughter SSI. You do need to be a USC for SSI, it's basically welfare. I don't know if amounts change by State but SSI here is less then 800 a month. If she were to get married her spouse's income would be subtracted from her check.

She has a Spouse who signed a I 864

[Ontarkie 14,499]

She has a Spouse who signed a I 864

i meant if my daughter got married. Was using her as an example.

As little as you get on SSI I don't think it would do them much good after the OP adds her husbands income to it.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Ontarkie

[Boiler 46,123]

Husband would have to pay it back.

[Ontarkie 14,499]

Husband would have to pay it back.

She needs to be a USC to get SSI. (See my first post)

Edited September 23, 2015 by Ontarkie

[LBeachey 45]

Yeah, I figured it was a minimum of 5 years. I've also been told I have to work for a minimum of ten years to be eligible too, which kind of defeats the purpose, but I can't really complain too much lol! Thanks!

Yup, I've been trying to figure out the whole SSI thing because that's where I'm getting a lot of conflicting results. I'll probably give Social Security a call and ask them about it, thanks.

Just for clarity, to get Social Security Disability, you need to have worked the immediate previous five years. Once you have 10 years earned, you are permanently eligible even if you stop working outside the home (e.g. stay home with kids).