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Federal and New York State Public Benefits for Non-Immigrants and Undocumented Persons

Since Non-Immigrant Persons are authorized to reside in the U.S. for a limited period of time for limited purposes, such as students or tourists, non-immigrant persons cannot receive most federal public benefits that are based on their need and income level. Similarly, Undocumented Persons can receive very few public benefits since they have no valid immigration records or papers. For any of these benefits, there may be restrictions that you may have to meet in order to receive the benefit. Please consult a social worker or an attorney to learn more about these requirements and to find out whether you satisfy these requirements to receive the benefits.

FEDERAL PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR NON-IMMIGRANTS AND UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS:

  • Emergency Medicaid
  • Non-cash Short-term Emergency Disaster Relief
  • Public Health Assistance for immunization and to test and treat communicable diseases
  • Some Community Service Programs needed to protect life or safety (e.g. short term shelter and housing, assistance for homeless, violence prevention programs, community nutritional programs, and medical and public health services)
  • Some Housing/Community Development Programs

NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS:

  • Health Care assistance for Emergency Medical Conditions (not organ transplants)
  • Prenatal Medicaid
  • Short-term Emergency Disaster Relief
  • Public Health Assistance for immunization and to treat communicable diseases
  • Community Service Programs to protect life and safety
  • WIC, Summer Meals, and Child Care Food Program
  • ADAP and ADAP Plus (medical assistance for people with AIDS)
  • Public Education and School Meals Program for undocumented children
  • Child Health Plus, low-cost health insurance for undocumented children under 19

IF YOU ARE AN UNDOCUMENTED PERSON, BUT YOUR CHILDREN ARE U.S. CITIZENS,

Your U.S. citizen children are entitled to receive all benefits as U.S. citizens regardless of your undocumented status.

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