Medicaid for parent immigrant in New York

[vveell 1]

I've recently found out that green card holders in New York who have a low income are eligible for state Medicaid. Have anyone's parents from this forum gone through the process of application and gotten approved? What about sponsorship and income of sponsor? Will it affect the decision?

[aaron2020 11,651]

I've recently found out that green card holders in New York who have a low income are eligible for state Medicaid. Have anyone's parents from this forum gone through the process of application and gotten approved? What about sponsorship and income of sponsor? Will it affect the decision?

Medicaid is a means-based program (welfare) designed to help the poor. It is a joint program between the Federal government and a state government. The I-864 sponsor(s) will be responsible to reimburse the government for any benefits that the sponsored immigrant receives.

From the USCIS website; http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

What are my responsibilities as a sponsor?

When you sign the affidavit of support, you accept legal responsibility for financially supporting the sponsored immigrant(s) until they become U.S. citizens or can be credited with 40 quarters of work. Any joint sponsors or household members whose income is used to meet the minimum income requirements are also legally responsible for financially supporting the sponsored immigrant. If the immigrant receives any "means-tested public benefits," you are responsible for repaying the cost of those benefits to the agency that provided them. If you do not repay the debt, the agency can sue you in court to get the money owed. When in doubt, ask the benefit provider whether the benefit is a "means-tested public benefit."

Currently, 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). States and local jurisdictions may also designate certain of their programs as means-tested public benefits.

The following types of programs are not counted as means-tested public benefits: emergency Medicaid; short-term, non-cash emergency relief; services provided under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts; immunizations and testing and treatment for communicable diseases; student assistance under the Higher Education Act and the Public Health Service Act; certain forms of foster-care or adoption assistance under the Social Security Act; Head Start programs; means-tested programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; and Job Training Partnership Act programs.

Edited August 8, 2009 by aaron2020

[vveell 1]

I've recently found out that green card holders in New York who have a low income are eligible for state Medicaid. Have anyone's parents from this forum gone through the process of application and gotten approved? What about sponsorship and income of sponsor? Will it affect the decision?

Medicaid is a means-based program (welfare) designed to help the poor. It is a joint program between the Federal government and a state government. The I-864 sponsor(s) will be responsible to reimburse the government for any benefits that the sponsored immigrant receives.

From the USCIS website; http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

What are my responsibilities as a sponsor?

When you sign the affidavit of support, you accept legal responsibility for financially supporting the sponsored immigrant(s) until they become U.S. citizens or can be credited with 40 quarters of work. Any joint sponsors or household members whose income is used to meet the minimum income requirements are also legally responsible for financially supporting the sponsored immigrant. If the immigrant receives any "means-tested public benefits," you are responsible for repaying the cost of those benefits to the agency that provided them. If you do not repay the debt, the agency can sue you in court to get the money owed. When in doubt, ask the benefit provider whether the benefit is a "means-tested public benefit."

Currently, 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). States and local jurisdictions may also designate certain of their programs as means-tested public benefits.

The following types of programs are not counted as means-tested public benefits: emergency Medicaid; short-term, non-cash emergency relief; services provided under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts; immunizations and testing and treatment for communicable diseases; student assistance under the Higher Education Act and the Public Health Service Act; certain forms of foster-care or adoption assistance under the Social Security Act; Head Start programs; means-tested programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; and Job Training Partnership Act programs.

I'm asking NOT about federal medicaid, but about State medicaid for which many adult immigrant, including green card holders are eligible. Thank you for the information, but in this case I don't think is' is quite relevant.

[vveell 1]

Here is a quote from here http://www.nycmccap.org/guide/chap12c.html

But, neither Sponsor Deeming nor Sponsor Liability are currently being used by the New York State Medicaid Program

[TayRivers 4]

Here is a quote from here http://www.nycmccap.org/guide/chap12c.html

But, neither Sponsor Deeming nor Sponsor Liability are currently being used by the New York State Medicaid Program

We have a simmilar programe here in MA, I contacted the programe to ask about immigrants and getting coverage. I was told that the immigrant has to be in the USA for 5 years before they can qualify.

The only thing they would cover is emergancy care and at this time they would not persue their sponsor for repayment at this time, but that could change.

[vveell 1]

Here is a quote from here http://www.nycmccap.org/guide/chap12c.html

But, neither Sponsor Deeming nor Sponsor Liability are currently being used by the New York State Medicaid Program

We have a simmilar programe here in MA, I contacted the programe to ask about immigrants and getting coverage. I was told that the immigrant has to be in the USA for 5 years before they can qualify.

The only thing they would cover is emergancy care and at this time they would not persue their sponsor for repayment at this time, but that could change.

TayRivers, it's not the same program. Yesterday I was speaking with a girl who brought her parents to the country half a year ago. They got medical insurance (State Managed Care Plan) in a couple of months after they arrived.

[TayRivers 4]

Here is a quote from here http://www.nycmccap.org/guide/chap12c.html

But, neither Sponsor Deeming nor Sponsor Liability are currently being used by the New York State Medicaid Program

We have a simmilar programe here in MA, I contacted the programe to ask about immigrants and getting coverage. I was told that the immigrant has to be in the USA for 5 years before they can qualify.

The only thing they would cover is emergancy care and at this time they would not persue their sponsor for repayment at this time, but that could change.

TayRivers, it's not the same program. Yesterday I was speaking with a girl who brought her parents to the country half a year ago. They got medical insurance (State Managed Care Plan) in a couple of months after they arrived.

WOW you are so lucky to be able to access that for your parents. My parents will have to pay $1154.00 per month for the next 5 years, before they can access the state managed care plan.

[vveell 1]

Here is a quote from here http://www.nycmccap.org/guide/chap12c.html

But, neither Sponsor Deeming nor Sponsor Liability are currently being used by the New York State Medicaid Program

We have a simmilar programe here in MA, I contacted the programe to ask about immigrants and getting coverage. I was told that the immigrant has to be in the USA for 5 years before they can qualify.

The only thing they would cover is emergancy care and at this time they would not persue their sponsor for repayment at this time, but that could change.

TayRivers, it's not the same program. Yesterday I was speaking with a girl who brought her parents to the country half a year ago. They got medical insurance (State Managed Care Plan) in a couple of months after they arrived.

WOW you are so lucky to be able to access that for your parents. My parents will have to pay $1154.00 per month for the next 5 years, before they can access the state managed care plan.

You can consider an option for your parents to move temporarily to New York State.

[TayRivers 4]

Here is a quote from here http://www.nycmccap.org/guide/chap12c.html

But, neither Sponsor Deeming nor Sponsor Liability are currently being used by the New York State Medicaid Program

We have a simmilar programe here in MA, I contacted the programe to ask about immigrants and getting coverage. I was told that the immigrant has to be in the USA for 5 years before they can qualify.

The only thing they would cover is emergancy care and at this time they would not persue their sponsor for repayment at this time, but that could change.

TayRivers, it's not the same program. Yesterday I was speaking with a girl who brought her parents to the country half a year ago. They got medical insurance (State Managed Care Plan) in a couple of months after they arrived.

WOW you are so lucky to be able to access that for your parents. My parents will have to pay $1154.00 per month for the next 5 years, before they can access the state managed care plan.

You can consider an option for your parents to move temporarily to New York State.

LOL as they live with us I would have to move too and it would be a bit far to commute everyday!!

[wowswift 3]

Here is a quote from here http://www.nycmccap.org/guide/chap12c.html

But, neither Sponsor Deeming nor Sponsor Liability are currently being used by the New York State Medicaid Program

after reading that link, they are saying at this time they are not currently trying to recover money from the sponsors, but they have 10 years to do it if they wish.

[vveell 1]

Yeah, I know. But I can hardly imagine how they would start to recover those money from thousands of immigrants. I'm envisioning such an uproar. I don't think it is going to happen anytime soon.

[TayRivers 4]

Yeah, I know. But I can hardly imagine how they would start to recover those money from thousands of immigrants. I'm envisioning such an uproar. I don't think it is going to happen anytime soon.

In this economic climate I would not rule that out. I am sure if the population of NY found out that a person who has just arrived in the US as a new immigrant and who has never paid a penny to the state can get subsidized healthcare that residents of the state are paying for, I think they would be making the uproar. You also need to look ahead to citizenship if your parent wishes to become a citizen, having used a means tested benefit could have an effect on that. Just be careful that it dont come back to bite you later on down the road.

Edited August 11, 2009 by TayRivers

[vveell 1]

New York State Medicaid is not considered a public charge. It is what it is. As for changes in policies, I don't believe it is going to happen. None of the politicians would do it considering their next elections because immigrant community is a huge chunk of constituency.

As of my knowledge, people who have received means-tested benefits are eligible for naturalization. It is sponsor, who can be asked to cover expenses or sued if he is not willing to pay.

[Ihavequestions 419]

As for changes in policies, I don't believe it is going to happen. None of the politicians would do it considering their next elections because immigrant community is a huge chunk of constituency.

"Green card" holders don't vote.

Nobody expected the welfare program to be hacked down to a five-year lifetime maximum, either, but it happened. Never say never.

[vveell 1]

Green card holders don't. But there citizens relatives are.

I never said it is never going to happen. Today's political environment in New York is such that immigrants are benefiting from that. It can turn out either way in a future. Today, I don't believe it is possible, at least up until next elections.

There is nothing illegal in getting the benefits your state is offering.

Edited August 11, 2009 by vveell