QUALIFYING QUARTERS.

SEC. 435. QUALIFYING QUARTERS. For purposes of this title, in determining the number of qualifying quarters of coverage under title II of the Social Security Act an alien shall be credited with— (1) all of the qualifying quarters of coverage as defined under title II of the Social Security Act worked by a parent of such alien while the alien was under age 18, and (2) all of the qualifying quarters worked by a spouse of such alien during their marriage and the alien remains married to such spouse or such spouse is deceased. No such qualifying quarter of coverage that is creditable under title II of the Social Security Act for any period beginning after December 31, 1996, may be credited to an alien under paragraph (1) or (2) if the parent or spouse (as the case may be) of such alien received any Federal means-tested public benefit (as provided 110 STAT. 2276under section 403) during the period for which such qualifying quarter of coverage is so credited.