An undocumented immigrant is not eligible to receive Social Security benefits if they are unable to obtain a valid Social Security number. Only noncitizens authorized to work in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security can get an SSN. Individuals need a valid Social Security number to work and collect Social Security benefits.

Undocumented workers with false 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Social Security numbers may pay Social Security taxes through their p♕aycheck, but the funds are credited to the owner of the number, not the immigrant.

Social Security Eligibility

To receive 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Social Security benefits, a person must have a valid Social Security number and legally earn 40 credits over a minimum of 10 years. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible to receive Social Security benefits because they lack legal status, which is a requiꦑrement for benefit eligibility.

"The law prohibits the SSA from paying benefits to individuals who are not lawfully present in the U.S. at the time of benefit application," says , a certified financial planner and founder at Wealth Script Advisors.

ITIN

An 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Individual Taxpayer Identification Numb🐭er is a 9-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service for tax-paying purposes only. An ITIN does not qualify someone for Social Security benefits, does not provide an individual authorization to work legally in the U.S., and does not change an individual's immigration status.

Those ineligible for a Social Security number may apply for an ITIN to file and pay federal taxes. Noncitizen workers looking to start a business, work as a university professor, or participate in freelance opportunities might obtain an ITIN.

Stolen Social Security Numbers

Undocumented immigrants may contribute to Social Security even if they never collect it, and that still supports the overall system's solvency.

"Many undocumented immigrants have been paying into the Social Security system for years by using fake Social Security numbers, borrowed Social Security numbers, and Individual Taxpayer ID numbers," says , founder of F3 Wealth Manageme൩nt. "For most, their intent is not to defraud individuals, it is purely motivated by financial survival."

Obtaining Legal Status

If an undocumented immigrant attains legal status, they may begin contributing to 🦩Social Security and qualify for benefits.

“Individuals who were once undocumented but later gained legal status—such as a green card or asylum—can earn Social Security benefits b🐽ased on the work they do after receiving legal authorization," says , a certified financial planner and founder of Fiduci꧒ary Organization.

To obtain a valid Social Security number, people need to be authorized to work by the Department of Homeland Security.

The Bottom Line

Undocumented immigrants cannot obtain a Social Security number or qualify for benefits if they are not authorized to work by the Department of Homeland Security. If an undocumented immigrant gets a green card or receives asylum, they may begin contributing to Social Security and later receive benefits.