Is social security card required for a 65 year old immigrant (GC card)?

C

chaitu123

New Member
My mother came to US on a family based GC. I need info on social security benefits to her.

1. Does social security benefits will be provided to family based immigrants with no work experience in U.S.?
2. What's the significance of social security card for immigrants who will not work here?
3. Does the immigrants in this category are eligible for Medicaid and Medicare services?
4. Is Tax Identification Number is sufficient if the immigrant will not work here (compared to social security card).

Appreciate the response. Please point me to other forums for these topics.
 
1. No, unless married to someone who worked
2. SSN is generally required for bank account, driver's license or state ID, and various government services.
3. No
4. They probably won't allow TIN for a legal immigrant who is eligible for SSN.

When did she arrive in the US? Normally the Social Security card is automatically issued within a month after one's first arrival in the US as a permanent resident, unless the option to issue the SSN was not selected on the DS-230.
 
Social Security is an EARNED benefit. She can BUY into Medicare after 5 years as a LPR. She is eligible for EMERGENCY Medicaid only. Other than that, she is the responsibility of her sponsor who should expect to contribute to her living expenses as promised in the affidavit of support. You are responsible for 125% of the poverty level. Of course, she could get a job and qualify for SS benefits after 40 quarters of work.

Bringing an elderly parent to the US and then looking for ways for US taxpayers to support him/her is irresponsible. Need based social services for those eligible depend on the HOUSEHOLD income; if she lives with you, your income counts. Lying about your or her worldwide income to gain benefits illegally is a really bad idea. The benefits to those who qualify afford a lifestyle that is little more than food while living on the streets or in crime infested low income housing (after a many year wait).

If you cannot afford to support her, she should return to her home country.
 
Thanks for the response. I posted the query for information sake, not an iota of thought given for lack of support and inability of sponsorship. My only intention as I mentioned is she will not work and to query if we need to apply for a social security card?
 
You will find things more difficult if she doesn't have an SSN. You won't be able to claim her as a dependent on your tax return, she'll have problems opening a bank account, etc.

Is she already in the US with a green card?
 
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