Vawa i360 approved. Can I get Medicaid?

[Almas Ville 0]

Hello.

My i360 VAWA has been approved in April and I received my employment card shortly after. I am having some medical problems and I suffer from acute anxiety. I am in financial difficulty and need medical attention. I was advised to apply for Medical (or Medicaid) as my VAWA status rendered me eligible. I applied at Rancho Park division in LA and after the painful process of all the paperwork I was told I had to be with children and/or 65 years old to qualify. I have no children and i am younger. Does VAWA provide eligibility for me as I had been previously advised? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

[belinda63 3,041]

Eligibility is based upon income. Don't know if VAWA makes you eligible to appy, I think it does, but it doesn't automatically grant you benefits, you still have to qualify.

[Almas Ville 0]

Thank you for your reply. I meet the financial criteria and I do need medical assistance. If the criteria is age and children, I disqualify. The workers had differing opinions. On my first visit I was told I would be accepted but today a worker did not agree. They are not very familiar with these cases, it seems like. Thanks again.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

**** Moved from AOS to Effects of Major Changes for more answers ******

[SingleDad2usc 71]

My thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/441859-vawa-prima-facie-statefederal-benefits-for-dv-victims/ discusses NY, but you should benefit from reading it nonetheless

Curiously, approved I-360 seems to render no higher status for benefits than pending I-360 (once you show them Prima Facie). In fact, with EAD already in hand, you are now supposed to be engaged in work - and then your income will be used to calculate your eligibility

I'm no specialist re: California, but it sounds preposterous to deny your eligibility. At minimum, your VAWA application made you PRUCOL - who is eligible for at least emergency Medicaid, if you came to a standalone Medicaid office. If you applied at an HRA/PA office, you application should also address your Cash Assistance. Your Food Stamps are impossible next 5 years under federal SNAP, but your state may have a substitute program

DV victims should be aware that even if they don't have Prima Facie yet, they should bring all documentation of their troubles and insist that HRA worker immediately refers you to DVL (Domestic Violence Liaison). It's in DVL's power to temporarily qualify you for all benefits (if you are in danger) and also to refer you to housing and legal help to file for immigration.

Above all, never leave with verbal reply. You absolutely must have in hand a proof that you have applied for all benefits on a certain date. Any further appeal (fair hearing) will be based on that date, and you may be awarded benefits retroactively (including medical bills) if you carry proof of that date

[Almas Ville 0]

Thank you so very much! Yet another battle, it will have to be.