The US Supreme Court ruled to allow implementation of the Department of Homeland Security’s new public charge rule. Starting February 24, 2020, the new public charge rule will be used to make public charge determinations in the U.S. But many immigrants can still receive public benefits without risk to their immigration status.
If Public Charge Does Not Apply to You, You Can Receive Any Public Benefits You Qualify for Without Any Risk to Your Immigrant Status
U.S. Citizens: If you are a U.S. Citizen, public charge does not apply to you.
Green Card Holders: If you already have your green card, public charge does not apply when you are renewing your green card or when you apply for U.S. citizenship. However, if you plan to leave the U.S. for more than 6 months, public charge could apply when you return to the U.S., so you should talk with an immigration attorney before you leave
Humanitarian Immigrants and Crime Victims: If you have a U or T Visa, Asylum or Refugee status, Special Immigrant Juvenile status, or you are a VAWA self-petitioner, public charge does not apply to you. Public charge is also not part of the application process for any of these statuses.
People Applying for Green Cards and Visas: If you are or will be applying for a green card or a visa, and your status is not listed in the box above, public charge might apply to you. If you are applying for a green card or visa from outside the U.S., special rules apply and you should talk with an immigration attorney. If you are applying for a green card or visa inside the U.S., see below.
If Public Charge Applies to You, and You Will Be Applying for a Green Card or VISA Inside the US...
Your family can safely get the public benefits they qualify for. Your family’s benefits cannot be counted against you when you apply for your green card or visa. This includes your children.
You can safely use many of the public benefits programs you qualify for, including any of the programs listed below. None of the programs listed below can be counted against you when you apply for a green card or visa.
Medical Assistance for:
Children under 21
Pregnant adults
Emergency medical conditions
Some very low-income adults (GA MA)
CHIP
Marketplace Subsidies (Obamacare)
Unemployment Compensation
Worker’s Compensation
WIC
Child care subsidy
Prescription assistance programs
Charity care
Community health clinics
Food cupboards/pantries
And others
If public charge applies to you, talk with an expert before applying for or stopping cash assistance (TANF and SSI), federal Medical Assistance (except Emergency MA, and MA for children under 21 or pregnant adults), SNAP (food stamps), or federal housing subsidies for yourself. If you receive these benefits for yourself, this could be counted against you when you apply for a green card or visa. REMEMBER: if public charge does not apply to you (see page 1), you can receive any of these benefits at any time without public charge risk to your immigration status.
If public charge applies to you, talk with an immigration attorney. Immigration officials could deny you a green card or a visa if they decide that you are likely to become a public charge. An immigration attorney might be able to help you prove that you are not likely to become a public charge even if you have received or are receiving benefits listed in the box immediately above.
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