Immigration consequences of applying for or using public benefits
LIST Code: IM-03-01-00-00
LIST Code
IM-03-01-00-00
Title
Immigration consequences of applying for or using public benefits
Definition
This category covers concerns an immigrant may have about whether applying for or receiving public benefits like Medicaid (or Medi-Cal), SNAP, housing assistance, or other government programs will negatively affect their immigration case. This includes how the "public charge" rule works, which benefits are counted in a public charge determination and which are not, and how the rule applies differently depending on a person's immigration status and the type of benefit. It covers what risks exist when applying for a green card, renewing a visa, or adjusting status after using benefits. It also covers situations when a person avoids benefits out of fear even though using them would not affect their case, and how to get accurate information about these rules. This category includes how sponsor "deeming" rules (where a sponsor's income is counted) interact with benefit eligibility, and what obligations a sponsor's affidavit of support creates.