In many cases, yes.

To qualify for benefits, all noncitizens first must meet the same eligibility requirements as U.S. citizens. Additionally, a noncitizen worker assigned a Social Security number (SSN) on or after January 1, 2004, must meet another eligibility requirement. If you are subject to this provision, neither you nor your dependents can qualify for benefits based on your earnings unless:

• --At some point, you were assigned an SSN based on your authorization to work in the United States, or
• --At some point, you were admitted to this country as a nonimmigrant business visitor (B-1) or as an alien crewman (D-1 or D-2).

Once a noncitizen worker has met eligibility criteria, Social Security must have evidence of the "lawful presence" of the beneficiary. That means that before they can pay out benefits for any given month, Social Security must have evidence that during that month the beneficiary was either:

• A U.S. citizen;
• A U.S. national; or
• Lawfully present in the United States.

Several electronic publications offer more details about eligibility requirements and other issues affecting noncitizens.