Don't flame me but I cannot understand how someone automatically qualifies for SSI. My sister is

[mfcorey1]

catching hell and she worked for thirty years and paid in.

Disabled refugees face loss of Social Security benefits

Thousands of foreign refugees, including many Cubans, are scheduled to lose Social Security disability aid in less than two months because they have not become citizens.
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Eustacio Guevara is among almost 4,000 refugees from Cuba and other countries scheduled to lose Social Security disability aid Oct. 1.
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Eustacio Guevara is among almost 4,000 refugees from Cuba and other countries scheduled to lose Social Security disability aid Oct. 1.
C.M. GUERRERO / EL NUEVO HERALD STAFF

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/30/1798834/disabled-refugees-face-loss-of.html

[CBGLuthier]

1. Classic

article about how people are losing benefits and you are concerned how they got benefits in the first place.

I think that sums up just exactly why america sucks so much. Everybody twists everybody else's lives to fit their "agendas."

[sinkingfeeling]

2. SSI is not the same as SSDI. SSI is for the blind and people born with physical disabilities. SSDI

is for someone who was working and then becomes disabled.

[dkf]

3. Social security disability is hard to qualify for as you must be unable to do any job.

What I don't understand is why these refugees haven't tried to get their citizenship. They should know that is part of the deal when you come here.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. Well, for one thing, you have to be able to speak English to become a citizen

and pass a test in American history and laws (one that would difficult for a lot of citizens by birth to pass), and this may not be possible for someone with a severe disability.

[dkf]

5. Kind of a conundrum then.

Extending the deadline won't work if the refugee is incapable of passing the requirements.

[dkf]

6. I read the article again and the guy didn't even have a green card until recently.

How do you get SSI without citizenship or a green card?

[w8liftinglady]

7. it took several attempts to qualify for me

I couldn't work(and still can't) due to my seizures and subsequent brain surgery.I'm not sure about where you live,but we had a good bilingual staff here.there are requirements for citizenship,as is appropriate,as it is important to be able to follow up to continue benefits.