While you can still get good jobs as a permanent resident of the United States, there are some key benefits to applying for citizenship. But why not just keep your green card and ignore applying for citizenship? Doesn’t it take forever?

Actually, the citizenship process for permanent residents, while complex, does not drag on very long. After all, just in 2009 over 1 million permanent residents of the U.S became naturalized U.S. citizens. They applied for many reasons, ones an experienced immigration attorney can go over with you. One key benefit you may have overlooked is Social Security.

What is Social Security?
Social Security is something you pay into on every paycheck as a citizen. They take your money, but you get some immense benefits. When you retire, you will be eligible for Social Security benefits. If you ever get hurt while working and cannot continue, you are immediately eligible for Social Security benefits. For example, if you were hurt while driving, broke your leg, and you cannot work for months, you can apply and likely will be accepted for Social Security Disability Insurance. It is your right, and is why the government took small amounts of your paycheck. But only U.S. citizens get these benefits.

How Does Social Security Help?
There are other ways Social Security can help. Say you suffer from a mental disorder which makes it next to impossible to work. You are therefore eligible for Social Security Income, a monthly paycheck which you can be eligible to receive as long as needed. This is an immense help, and again your right as a citizen. Also, you will be eligible for Medicaid help, along with food stamps if you cannot afford to buy a lot of food.

Travel
There are some other key benefits for naturalized U.S citizens, though not quite as big as Social Security. If you enjoy traveling or just want to live somewhere else for a few years, you will have no problem in reentering the U.S. when wanted. Citizenship is a lifetime deal. For permanent residents, it may be difficult to travel in and out of the country.

No Deportation
As a permanent resident or visa holder, you can legally be deported from the country. As a U.S. citizen, you cannot. While being deported isn’t too common, it does occur if you break the law, and technically does not have to be a major crime.

No Fear
You need not worry about money if you’re hurt. If you cannot work at all, you can get help. If you want to travel, there is no need to worry about being allowed back in the country. If you break laws, you can stay here. Citizenship does not mean you can break laws and do whatever you want, but it offers far more benefits than a green card.