Public Benefits

[AcuraTSX]

I got my green card last year. As a permanent resident, can I avail social security disability benefits? Will this have any impact on naturalization?

Also, what other public programs can a permanent resident avail without impacting the naturalization process?

Thank you!! 

[SoNearCitizen]

As far as I know Social Security and unemployment benefits are only for citizens, not PRs, but I might be wrong.

[JoeF]

4 hours ago, SoNearCitizen said:

As far as I know Social Security and unemployment benefits are only for citizens, not PRs, but I might be wrong.

You are wrong...

For unemployment benefits, the person has to be willing and able to work in any job. That applies to anybody with unrestricted work authorization, like EAD, or GC. Unemployment benefits are also not public benefits, they come out of an insurance the employers pay into.

For social security, anybody who has enough credits (40 credits/10 years) can get social security benefits, even if the person is not a US citizen or lives abroad.

Disability benefits are likely similar, but I don't know the details. Details should be on the Social Security website, www.ssa.gov.