Public Benefits

DISCLAIMER: Before enrolling in any local or federal public benefits programs, individuals who are uncertain about the impact enrollment will have on their ability to become Legal Permanent Residents (LPR/Green Card holders) or Naturalized Citizens should consult with an immigration attorney before proceeding.¹

Click here for a list of agencies in LA County that may be able to help complete immigration forms and assists with immigration questions. Or visit the Legal Services Section of the toolkit.

Protecting Immigrant Families is an organization advocating for immigrant rights and has more reader-friendly information regarding current rights, which organizations are included, and resources for advocacy.²

The United States Citizen and Immigration Services website reflects the most up-to-date legal policies and which services are included under the public charge status.³

Last Updated 4/7/20:

Under Section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an individual seeking admission to the United States or seeking to adjust status to that of an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence (Green Card) is inadmissible if the individual, “at the time of application for admission or adjustment of status, is likely at any time to become a public charge.” For purposes of determining inadmissibility, “public charge” means an individual who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.³

Some of the listed programs below may provide cash benefits. However, the purpose of such benefits is not for income maintenance, but rather to avoid the need for on-going cash assistance for income maintenance; therefore, they are not subject to public charge considerations.⁴

Use of these benefits will not be considered a Public Charge by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): 

• USCIS will not deny your legal admission to the U.S.
• USCIS will not deny your application for legal permanent residency.
• USCIS will not ask you to repay public benefits you received.⁴

Medi-cal: What It Is and Who Is Eligible?

All children, regardless of immigration status, are eligible to apply in the state of California for Medi-cal health coverage. According to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Medi-cal is a “public health insurance program that provides health care services for low-income individuals including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, foster care, pregnant women, and low-income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer, or HIV/AIDS.”⁵

How do I apply for Medi-cal?

There are many ways to apply for Medi-cal. All options for applying for Medi-cal services can be found here.

How is Medi-cal different from private insurance?

For many of the individuals who enroll in Medi-Cal, there is no premium, no co-payment, and no out of pocket cost.  Some households will see affordable costs, such as a low monthly premium. For some Medi-Cal children, the monthly premiums are $13 per child up to a family maximum of $39 per month.  In general, individuals in Medi-Cal will get the same health benefits available through Covered California at a lower cost.⁵

• Outpatient (Ambulatory) services
• Emergency services
• Hospitalization
• Maternity and Newborn care
• Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services, including Behavioral Health Treatment
• Prescription Drugs
• Programs such as physical and occupational therapy (known as Rehabilitative & Habilitative Services) and devices
• Laboratory services
• Preventive and wellness services & chronic disease management
• Children’s (Pediatric) services, including oral and vision care.⁵

Any other questions about Medi-cal and services offered can be found here. To contact DHCS with more questions about insurance eligibility or services provided, use this link here.

California Benefits are state-funded programs to help low-income households with various services. For a complete table to determine eligibility for these programs, visit the link: Eligibility for California Benefits

Federal Benefits are federally-funded programs to help low-income households with various services. For a complete table to determine eligibility for these programs, visit the link: Eligibility for Federal Benefits

Online enrollment is available for some benefit programs. Check the above website links for more information about your program of interest.

Eligibility for California Benefits
Eligibility for Federal Benefits

For an up-to-date list of enrollment center locations, visit this link: DPSS Locations

1. Immigrant Child Health Toolkit. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2020, from http://aapdc.org/toolkit/immigranthealth/

2. Community Education Resources on Public Charge. (2020, April 08). Retrieved May 20, 2020, from https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-rights/

3. Public Charge. (2009, September 03). Retrieved May 17, 2020, from https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/public-charge

4. Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. (n.d.). Retrieved April 17, 2020, from http://dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss/main/programs-and-services/health-care/additional-health-care-resources/information-for-immigrants/

5. Department of Health Care Services. (n.d.). ​Medi-Cal. Retrieved April 17, 2020, from https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal