SSA issues public charge guidance regarding use of SSI
Immigrants’ Rights Update, Vol. 13, No. 7, November 17, 1999

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued a Programs Operations Manual System (POMS) transmittal regarding the Immigration and Naturalization Service’s public charge rules and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, clarifying that the rules do not affect non–U.S. citizens’ eligibility for SSI. However, the transmittal explains, noncitizens’ use of SSI will be considered by the INS when it makes public charge determinations about them. The transmittal also explains that receipt of SSI benefits does not automatically make noncitizens inadmissible, ineligible to adjust status to lawful permanent residence, or deportable as public charges, but its receipt is a factor that will be considered as adverse by the INS when it makes public charge determinations.

POMS § SI 00501.450 (August 1999).

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