Immigration

Even though public benefits are federally funded, the way states determine eligibility for public benefits programs differs. Generally, whether an immigrant is eligible for public benefits in his/her state may depend on his/her status and whether s/he is considered a “qualified immigrant.” Once a person determines whether s/he has a qualified immigration status, s/he may be able to determine eligibility for particular public benefit programs (such as food stamps, Medicaid and welfare/TANF). The National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project created a “map” where you can look up each type of benefit to see if an immigrant is eligible for that particular benefit in a particular state. The map includes cash assistance (TANF), child care, housing, driver’s licenses, and more. You can access this map feature on the NIWAP website. Also, they offer this information about all of the benefits that an immigrant can qualify for in every state displayed in a state-by-state list.

Keep in mind that a person may also need to meet other eligibility requirements (such as income criteria) to qualify for certain programs. If you would like to speak with a lawyer for legal assistance, go to our Finding a Lawyer [HYPERLINK] page for legal referrals. It may also be helpful for to meet with an advocate or social worker who can help fill out the paperwork to apply for public benefits. You can find information on our website for local programs [HYPERLINK] that may have advocates or referrals to social workers who can help.