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Regardless of your documentation status, you may be entitled to public benefits. However, for those who are thinking about applying for a green card or citizenship, it is important to understand how accessing these benefits could potentially be considered in the citizenship process.
The United Ways of California Benefit Screener helps you see what benefits you may qualify for based on your monthly income and number of dependents. But depending on your documentation status, you may decide that applying for certain benefits is not in your best interest. It can be confusing to understand which benefits you qualify for and how utilizing specific benefits may impact you when applying for a green card or citizenship.
Please know that the United Ways of California Benefit Screener does not collect personal information. Using the Benefit Screener to see what benefits you qualify for is safe and anonymous.
What is public charge?
Public charge is a term used to describe when an individual is likely to rely on government assistance for long-term support in order to survive. Public charge is determined by many factors, including one’s age, health, financial status, education, and skills. When non-citizens apply for a green card, visa, or citizenship, the United States government will use a public charge test to determine if the applicant is likely to become dependent on certain public benefits in the future, which could lead to their application being denied. A public charge test will only apply when you file an immigration application.
Unsure how public benefits may impact your status? We recommend reaching out to a trusted immigration expert. To find free or low-cost immigration legal help, visit ilrc.me/findhelp.
Take the public charge test to see what benefits you may qualify for and if they impact the public charge rule.
Understanding Benefit Eligibility by Documentation Status
Public Benefits Open to All Non-Citizens:
- In-state tuition and financial aid
- WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)
- Free or reduced-cost school meals
- CalFresh, only if children have U.S. citizenship or lawful status
- Stimulus checks
- Tax credits (e.g., California Earned Income Tax Credit, Young Child Tax Credit)
- Head Start
- Food pantries
- COVID-19 testing
- Medi-Cal
Public Benefits for Green Card Holders and Other Qualified Immigrants:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or CalFresh in California
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or California Work Opportunities & Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) in California
- Social Security
- Section 8 Housing
- Worker’s Compensation and Unemployment
Important Update on Medi-Cal:
Currently, Medi-Cal is provided to all eligible community members, regardless of immigration status, in California. Medi-Cal eligibility remains unchanged. However, it has been reported that on June 10, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—shared personal information of people enrolled in Medi-Cal with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This included the personal information of all Medi-Cal members: citizens, immigrants with satisfactory immigration status, immigrants with unsatisfactory status, and people who have accessed only emergency services through Medi-Cal. Below are answers to common questions about privacy protections, Medi-Cal, benefits, and the United Ways of California Benefit Screener. Some information in this FAQ is adapted, from the Health4All FAQ by Western Center on Law & Poverty.
FAQs on Privacy, Data Sharing, and Accessing Benefits
These questions address how Medi-Cal and United Ways’ Benefit Screener handle your information, what recent data sharing means, and what options you have for accessing care while protecting your privacy.
Is it safe to use the Benefit Screener? How is my data shared or used?
Yes, United Way’s Benefit Screener is safe and anonymous. It does not collect personal information, and your responses are not linked to you. The tool simply shows what benefits you might be eligible for, it is not an application for benefits.
Is it safe to apply for Medi-Cal if I’m concerned about my immigration status?
Determining whether applying for Medi-Cal is the right choice varies on a case-by-case basis, depending on the specifics of your situation. It’s best to speak with a trusted legal immigration expert to discuss your circumstances before applying for public benefits at this time.
It is important to note that the State of California and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) routinely share a limited amount of personal data with the federal government to administer Medicaid, such as verifying eligibility for federal funding. Federal law has long recognized that Medicaid personal information cannot be used for immigration-related actions.
Recently, the federal government has used this type of routinely shared data in ways unrelated to Medicaid program administration, prompting legal action from the State of California to stop further sharing and protect Medi-Cal members’ personal information. This legal challenge is ongoing. If you are applying for Medi-Cal, you are not required to provide the Social Security number or immigration status of household members who are not applying for benefits themselves.
Will cancelling or disenrolling from Medi-Cal help protect me against this data sharing?
We understand this news is alarming. Unfortunately, cancelling your Medi-Cal coverage now will not remove information that was already shared on June 10, 2025. Computer systems also keep records of cancelled cases, so ending your coverage will not erase your information from past records.
If federal immigration agencies already have your information, such as through a past immigration process or another government agency, cancelling Medi-Cal may not reduce any potential risk. Ending your Medi-Cal benefits may only result in the loss of your health coverage and access to care.
If you are feeling uncertain about what this means for you, consider speaking with a trusted legal immigration expert to discuss your specific situation and options before making any changes to your coverage.
Is there anything I can do to keep my Medi-Cal personal information safe?
The State of California is actively taking legal action in response to this reported data sharing. As part of a multistate coalition, California has filed a lawsuit to block further sharing of Medi-Cal members’ personal information and hold the federal government accountable.
When applying for Medi-Cal, you are not required to provide the Social Security number or immigration status of family members who are not applying for benefits for themselves.
How else can I get healthcare if I’m worried about my immigration status?
If you choose not to enroll in Medi-Cal, you may be able to access care through:
- County health programs
- Clinic sliding-scale programs
- Hospital financial assistance programs
Keep in mind, services may be more limited outside of Medi-Cal.
If I’m concerned about my immigration status and enrolled in Medi-Cal, what can I do to protect myself?
At this time, it is unclear whether DHS will use Medi-Cal information to target individuals for deportation or other immigration related purposes. You can prepare by learning your rights and how to respond to interactions with immigration: https://211ca.org/community-rights-resources/.
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