N-400 Priority Processing for Certain Non-Citizen SSI Recipients

Released August 12, 2011

WASHINGTON—USCIS will prioritize the processing of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, for certain SSI recipients when the applicant’s:

• SSI benefits will be terminated within 1 year from the date listed on your SSI notice; AND,
• Form N-400 has been pending for 4 months or more from the date of receipt.

The following are instructions for individuals whose SSI benefits are being terminated within 1 year and have applied for OR will apply for citizenship through Form N-400.

My SSI Benefits Will Be Terminated Within 1 Year And...

I have already submitted an N-400

I have not yet submitted an N-400

OPTION 1: Schedule an INFOPASS appointment by calling 1-800-375-5283.
OPTION 2: Mail the below documents to the USCIS office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence (USCIS Field Officer Locator).

A cover letter indicating your SSI benefits will be terminated within one year or less and that your Form N-400 has been pending for 4 months or more from the date of receipt.
A copy of the most recent letter from the Social Security Administration clearly indicating when your SSI benefits will be terminated (NOTE: please write your USCIS alien number on the top right hand corner).

Place the acronym “SSI” at the top of Form N-400’s page 1 in large bold clear print.
Mail your Form N-400 application, a copy of the most recent letter from the Social Security Administration clearly indicating when your SSI benefits will be terminated (NOTE: please write your USCIS alien number on the top right hand corner of this letter), and any applicable supporting documents required by the instructions on the Form N-400.

NOTE: After completing these steps, your N-400 application will be prioritized once it’s been pending with USCIS for 4 months and your SSI benefits are set to terminate within 1 year. While USCIS will prioritize the processing of these specific N-400 applications, each applicant is still required to meet all eligibility requirements for naturalization (please see Form M-476, A Guide to Naturalization for eligibility requirements). There is also no guarantee that USCIS will approve a particular application affected by this prioritization.

For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis) and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

Last updated:08/12/2011