Yes—you can apply now, but SSDI depends on your U.S. work record, SSI requires a special noncitizen eligibility route, and SNAP and Medicaid depend on five-year rules or exceptions.

To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must: Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security; Have a medical condition that meets Social Security's strict definition of disability. We consider you to have a qualifying disability under our rules if all the following are true: You cannot do work at the substantial gainful activity (SGA) level because of your medical condition. You cannot do work you did previously or adjust to other work because of your medical condition. Your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least 1 year or to result in death.

RS 00204.010

We may pay monthly title II benefits to a beneficiary who is present in the United States and is a United States (U.S.) citizen, U.S. national, or an alien who is lawfully present in the U.S.

You were lawfully admitted for permanent residence and you have a total of 40 credits of work in the United States. (Your spouse’s or parent’s work also may count). NOTE: If you entered the United States on or after Aug. 22, 1996, then you may not be eligible for SSI for the first 5 years as a lawfully admitted permanent resident, even if you have 40 credits of earnings. If you are a sponsored noncitizen, we may have to count your sponsor's income and resources as your own when we decide whether you qualify for SSI.

(a)(2)(C), (D), and (F)(ii)

An alien who— (i) is lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act; and (ii)(I) has worked 40 qualifying quarters of coverage as defined under title II of the Social Security Act or can be credited with such qualifying quarters as provided under section 1645 of this title, and (II) in the case of any such qualifying quarter creditable for any period beginning after December 31, 1996, did not receive any Federal means-tested public benefit during any such period. With respect to eligibility for benefits for the specified Federal program described in paragraph (3)(B), paragraph (1) shall not apply to an alien who has resided in the United States with a status within the meaning of the term “qualified alien” for a period of 5 years or more beginning on the date of the alien’s entry into the United States. In the case of the specified Federal program described in paragraph (3)(B), is receiving benefits or assistance for blindness or disability.

You must apply for SNAP in the state where you currently live. Most applications are processed within 30 days. In some cases, a household may qualify for expedited service and receive benefits within 7 days.

If you’re a lawfully present immigrant, you can get Marketplace coverage. You don't have a 5-year waiting period if you're a refugee, asylee, or lawfully permanent resident who used to be a refugee or asylee. States have the option to remove the 5-year waiting period and cover lawfully residing children and/or pregnant people in Medicaid and CHIP.

§ 71302

SEC. 71302. DISALLOWING PREMIUM TAX CREDIT DURING PERIODS OF MEDICAID INELIGIBILITY DUE TO ALIEN STATUS. (a) In General.—Section 36B(c)(1) is amended by striking subparagraph (B). (b) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It usually takes 6 to 8 months to process an application for disability benefits. You can apply for Disability benefits online at www.ssa.gov/disability. You can also call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, to make an appointment to file a disability claim. Generally, there is a five-month waiting period and we’ll pay your first benefit the sixth full month after the date we find your disability began.

SSI benefits are not paid retroactively. SSI benefits are paid for the first full month after the date you filed your claim, or, if later, the date you become eligible for SSI.

Chapter 3

Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) are generally not applicants for admission and are therefore not subject to inadmissibility determinations upon their return from a trip abroad. An LPR is considered an applicant for admission, however, if the LPR falls within any one of the categories specified in INA 101(a)(13)(C), including if the LPR has been absent from the United States for a continuous period in excess of 180 days.

You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year. You can apply 2 ways: Through the Health Insurance Marketplace®; Directly with your state Medicaid agency.

Open Enrollment for 2026 ended on January 15. You can still get 2026 health insurance 2 ways: If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event like losing other coverage, getting married, or having a baby. If you qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

To get SSI, you must have little or no income, little or no resources, and be disabled, blind, or age 65 or older.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides states and territories with flexibility in operating programs designed to help low-income families with children achieve economic self-sufficiency.