Classifications Subject to a Seven-Year Limit on Eligibility

Classifications Subject to a Seven-Year Limit on Eligibility A. The following non-citizen classifications are exempt from the five (5) year ban but are subject to a seven (7) year eligibility limit, if otherwise eligible: 1. Refugees, including Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, may qualify until seven (7) years after date of entry into the U.S., 2. Asylees may qualify until seven (7) years after the grant of asylum, 3. Amerasian immigrants may qualify for seven (7) years after date of entry in the U.S., 4. Cuban/Haitian entrants may qualify until seven (7) years after grant of that status, 5. Non-Citizens who have been granted withholding of deportation may qualify the first seven (7) years after grant of deportation withholding, and 6. Victims of trafficking and their derivative beneficiaries may qualify during the first seven (7) years after obtaining that status. B. The seven (7) year period is a point in time in which the non-citizen may qualify for benefits if otherwise eligible and an application is timely filed. The seven (7) year period begins with either the date of entry into the U.S. or the date status is granted. C. Eligibility must terminate the month following the end of the seven (7) year period unless the non-citizen’s status changes to a status that is not subject to the seven (7) year limit. D. When the non-citizen’s status adjusts to LPR during the seven (7) year period, the non-citizen can continue to be eligible for the remainder of the seven (7) year period, provided the non- citizen is otherwise eligible. E. To continue eligibility beyond the seven (7) year period, the non-citizen must be credited with forty (40) qualifying quarters of coverage or meet an exemption. Otherwise, the non-citizen’s eligibility ends the first month after the seven (7) year period ends.