Can Apply for Medicaid and financial aid for school?

[Ulrica&Jesse 39]

I recently received my IR1 visa and wondering if I would be eligible to use Medicaid and some other federal help in case of need. I do not plan on completely relying on that but everything happens and I just want to know my options. I'm asking because I had a co sponsor and on the affidavit of support it said that if I will apply for any federal help my co sponsor will be held responsible for that. I am planning on enrolling in community college and might need to apply for tuition aid, am I eligible to do that? Can I apply for scholarships and such since I had a co sponsor for my visa? I don't want to cause my co sponsor any financial trouble so I'm just trying to make things clear.

 

Thanks

[dubnew 1]

I am not sure about Medicaid for financial aid read below:

 

https://fafsa.ed.gov/help/fotw15a.htm

[milimelo 4,500]

You can't apply for Medicaid as you don't qualify for it until you've been an LPR for five years. 

 

For medical insurance find  a job that provides one or get It through exchange for your state (Obamacare). 

[Ulrica&Jesse 39]

1 hour ago, Dee elle said:

Here is there link to the USCIS page that outlines what is and what is not considered a public charge for the GC holder

 

https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/public-charge

Thank you!

[pushbrk 12,974]

5 hours ago, milimelo said:

You can't apply for Medicaid as you don't qualify for it until you've been an LPR for five years. 

 

For medical insurance find  a job that provides one or get It through exchange for your state (Obamacare). 

Sort of.  Anybody can apply for anything, whether they qualify or not.  However, if the new immigrant actually receives a means tested benefit, their sponsor is under contract with the Federal government to repay the benefit.  The petitioner is first in line and joint sponsor second in line to be collected from.  If no joint sponsor, then the petitioner is the only person to collect from.

 

That's the whole purpose of the affidavit of support, to show that the new immigrant has a means of support other than the US taxpayer.  Ask your petitioner/spouse to read the section of the affidavit just above their signature. 

[pushbrk 12,974]

5 hours ago, Dee elle said:

Here is there link to the USCIS page that outlines what is and what is not considered a public charge for the GC holder

 

https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/public-charge

The page doesn't outline that at all.  It indicates what is considered when making the public charge determination when evaluating the affidavit of support.  It does not discuss what the petitioner/sponsor might later be liable to repay.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion.

[pushbrk 12,974]

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

So... here is the same list, in another section of the USCIS website, that clearly states it applies to LPR.. 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/fact-sheets/public-charge-fact-sheet

Context, context.  The note at the bottom of the page provides the context.  Note: In general, lawful permanent residents who currently possess a "green card" cannot be denied U.S. citizenship for lawfully receiving any public benefits for which they are eligible.

 

However, my point is about the obligations of the sponsor to repay means tested benefits, how becoming a public charge impacts Naturalization eligibility.

[pushbrk 12,974]

11 minutes ago, Dee elle said:

I would appreciate then your suggestion on where to find the list of what is possibly going to be required for a sponsor to repay .....

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/support/i-864-frequently-asked-questions.html

 

Scroll down to "means-test public benefits" then expand all three sections.

[geowrian 22,337]

There are also some examples listed on the I-864P: https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-864p.pdf

"To date, Federal agencies administering benefit programs have determined that Federal means-tested public benefits include Food Stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)."

Edited September 14, 2017 by geowrian