Question about welfare and naturalization

[lax75 2]

Hi guys, I have a friend who lost her job while she was on maternity leave so she basically used medicaid to pay for her childbirth expenses and now wants to apply for food stamps because she is unemployed. Her concern is whether this could negatively affect her naturalization process. She talked to a few people who say it could. Is this true?

[v333k 59]

From what I know, only citizens are allowed to apply for food stamps. Double check before doing something like this that could prevent her from naturalizing.

[raymaga 25]

I believe only U.S. citizens are allowed to get benefits such as Medicaid and food stamps, etc.

[NickD 202]

Can go through the N-400 again, don't believe these questions are even asked. Was someone on this board a year or two ago regarding Medicaid, we couldn't find any reason, mostly with I-864 issues why a LPR could not apply for Medicaid and go against the contract of the I-864. A key question was to be honest when applying, if I recall correctly, they did receive it, an old woman with no health insurance and major medical problems.

Feel foodstamps would go directly against that I-864 contract, but I guess to be safe, would be to contact them and be fully honest or contact an immigration attorney, but the latter is a poor suggestion. How can you pay for an attorney if you can't even afford to buy food? Really don't want to give bad advice on this subject, but also understand a person without an income can get free legal advice. Can find about all of this stuff on the internet, helping a friend at this time with a similar circumstance. God, this country has really gone to hell since Nixson.

[antda 13]

(note: I posted some of this before on VJ, but I thought it would help you here too...)

Hi (lax75),

Sorry to hear about your (your friend's) medical situation. And yes, by all means possible, get the healthcare that you (your friend and their unborn child) need, no matter what the cost, as it's not worth the risk not getting treatment there. I know it would be hard to get affordable medical insurance, given the circumstaces so that's understandable too. Regardless, if you (your friend and their baby) are sick (or are in labour) and it is an emergency, just go to any hospital emergency room, and they will be able to treat you there, regardless of lack of immigration status and/or financial situation. Just because you are waiting for immigration, doesn't mean you have to wait for your health!

As for medicaid, it varies from to state to state, as to what they define as "means tested benefits". It's kind of contradictory in ways, where the federally-run USCIS says that medicaid is a benefit, while some states may say that it isn't. So do inquire with the specific state that you live in, as to what they say about such. As well, many states offer other low-cost healthcare options, which are not listed as means-tested benefits at all. For example, here in New York State, they have a program called family health plus, which is for low income families and is not a means tested benefit too. And yes, the sliding scale option is a good idea too, as you can at least pay for and get your healthcare at a reasonable rate that is best for you and your family financially.

Sigh, why can't healthcare be affordable (and free perhaps) to all, regardless of immigration status, income, health condition, or anything else? Everyone deserves good quality and affordable healthcare treatment, right?....

Hope this helps. Good luck with your friend and their baby and in their healthcare options and good luck with your immigration journey too.

Ant

P.S. If the child is born here in the USA, they are automatically US Citizens......and the means-tested benefit rules and other immigration rules won't apply to them...Just a thought.......

Hi guys, I have a friend who lost her job while she was on maternity leave so she basically used medicaid to pay for her childbirth expenses and now wants to apply for food stamps because she is unemployed. Her concern is whether this could negatively affect her naturalization process. She talked to a few people who say it could. Is this true?

Edited August 24, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[penn-kd 0]

IT DEPENDS, I WENT THROUGHT THE WHOLE FIANCEE VISA AND WITH THAT MY SPONSOR HAD TO SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT FOR AT LEAST 3 YEARS.

IF I WERE TO GO ON WELFARE DURING THE 3 YEARS THAT I WAS HERE HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAYING BACK THE STATE FOR MY BENEFITS. THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO COME HERE AND USE BENEFITS. FOR EXAMPLE: MY IN PA IF MY HUSBAND WERE TO FILE FOR FOOD STAMPS HE WOULD FILE FOR HIMSELF AND HOW EVERYMAY DEPENDENTS. HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY BACK MY PORTION TO THE STATE.

[lax75 2]

(note: I posted some of this before on VJ, but I thought it would help you here too...)

Hi (lax75),

Sorry to hear about your (your friend's) medical situation. And yes, by all means possible, get the healthcare that you (your friend and their unborn child) need, no matter what the cost, as it's not worth the risk not getting treatment there. I know it would be hard to get affordable medical insurance, given the circumstaces so that's understandable too. Regardless, if you (your friend and their baby) are sick (or are in labour) and it is an emergency, just go to any hospital emergency room, and they will be able to treat you there, regardless of lack of immigration status and/or financial situation. Just because you are waiting for immigration, doesn't mean you have to wait for your health!

As for medicaid, it varies from to state to state, as to what they define as "means tested benefits". It's kind of contradictory in ways, where the federally-run USCIS says that medicaid is a benefit, while some states may say that it isn't. So do inquire with the specific state that you live in, as to what they say about such. As well, many states offer other low-cost healthcare options, which are not listed as means-tested benefits at all. For example, here in New York State, they have a program called family health plus, which is for low income families and is not a means tested benefit too. And yes, the sliding scale option is a good idea too, as you can at least pay for and get your healthcare at a reasonable rate that is best for you and your family financially.

Sigh, why can't healthcare be affordable (and free perhaps) to all, regardless of immigration status, income, health condition, or anything else? Everyone deserves good quality and affordable healthcare treatment, right?....

Hope this helps. Good luck with your friend and their baby and in their healthcare options and good luck with your immigration journey too.

Ant

P.S. If the child is born here in the USA, they are automatically US Citizens......and the means-tested benefit rules and other immigration rules won't apply to them...Just a thought.......

Hey Ant, thanks for the advice. Spoke to her today and she said she talked to a lawyer who told her that it shouldnt affect her filing for citizenship. We will see how it goes then.

[antda 13]

Hey Ant, thanks for the advice. Spoke to her today and she said she talked to a lawyer who told her that it shouldnt affect her filing for citizenship. We will see how it goes then.

Lax75-No problem, glad to be able to help...

I wish her and her unborn baby all the best....

And good luck in finding good healthcare options for both of them too......

Ant