Hi Jon20013!
I have respectfully disagree with you regarding the question as to whether or not a legal resident residing in the US or even residing outside of the US, can receive social security benefits.
I personally know for a fact that they can because, I personally helped both my Mother and my Aunt Adina apply for these benefits.
They were both legal residents who worked for over 40 years in the US sewing dresses in the "sweat shops" and then later, with the top fashion designers of New York City where I was born. Five years ago, they both decided that it was time to become American citizens so in the beginning of 2001,just before September 11th, they both became dual citizens of both their native country of the Dominican Republic and citizens of These United States of America. They came to the United States in the early 1950's because, they believed in their brother's accounts of a better life in this country. Three sisters together came to this country with only their younger brother to show them around. Today, only my mother and my Aunt Adina is still alive...
Both my Mother, and my Aunt Adina currently live in the Dominican Republic as they are both retired, gracefully living the rest of their lives in peace, and still receiving social security retirement benefits for which they earned and started receiving before they both became American citizens. They also on occasion, reside for months at a time both here in Pittsburgh or in New York City.
Finally, my welding skills come from my Mother's sewing skills, and I'm so greatfull to her and my Aunt Adina & Idalia for also showing me how to be so proficient in my sewing skills way before my grandfather taught me how to weld because, I know now how much sewing taught me with regards to increasing my patience, my manual dexterity skills, eye to hand coordination, attention to detail, etc.
Yes! These two women will always be my first heroes!
Respectfully,
SSBN727
Run Silent... Run Deep!!!