8 U.S.C. § 1645 : US Code - Section 1645: Qualifying quarters

Search 8 U.S.C. § 1645 : US Code - Section 1645: Qualifying quarters

For purposes of this chapter, in determining the number of
qualifying quarters of coverage under title II of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] an alien shall be credited
with - 
(1) all of the qualifying quarters of coverage as defined under
title II of the Social Security Act worked by a parent of such
alien before the date on which the alien attains age 18, and
(2) all of the qualifying quarters worked by a spouse of such
alien during their marriage and the alien remains married to such
spouse or such spouse is deceased.
No such qualifying quarter of coverage that is creditable under
title II of the Social Security Act for any period beginning after
December 31, 1996, may be credited to an alien under paragraph (1)
or (2) if the parent or spouse (as the case may be) of such alien
received any Federal means-tested public benefit (as provided under
section 1613 of this title) during the period for which such
qualifying quarter of coverage is so credited. Notwithstanding
section 6103 of title 26, the Commissioner of Social Security is
authorized to disclose quarters of coverage information concerning
an alien and an alien's spouse or parents to a government agency
for the purposes of this chapter.