To qualify for Social Security Income (SSI) Benefits, which of the following criteria must be met?

To qualify for Social Security Income (SSI) benefits, one of the key requirements is being a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. This criterion is crucial because SSI is intended to provide financial assistance to individuals who meet certain age, disability, and income requirements, specifically within the context of U.S. law. The program is designed for those who have limited income and asset levels, and it is essential that applicants have a legal status that allows them to access these benefits. Citizenship or eligible non-citizen status ensures that individuals have the right to receive federal assistance.

The other options involve aspects of employment or homeownership that are not relevant to SSI eligibility. SSI is not contingent upon work history or home equity; rather, it focuses specifically on the financial needs of individuals, making the citizenship requirement the appropriate criterion for qualification.