Public Charges for I-134 Diversity Visa?

[AboveBeyond 1]

Hi, I am trying to get clarifications of what are considered public charges. These are the 3 items that I need help with:

1. Medicaid

2. FAFSA

3. Food-stamp

1. I've read the USCIS site below and it seems to indicate that Medicaid would not be a public charge but rather "supplemental". Can anyone confirm this? After getting the greencard, can the person apply for medicaid?

2. Is the person allowed to receive federal aid through FAFSA after getting green card?

3. I believe food-stamp would be public charge but I'm not 100% certain.

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge

Thanks for any help!

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Food-stamps would definately be considered "public charge"... medicaid, not entirely sure you may be right about it being "supplemental".

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Food stamps are a public charge issue, Medicaid depends on the state you live in . Fafsa is ok for whatever you can qualify for, however a lot of the benefits are reserved for US citizens.

[maria betances 42]

Hi, I am trying to get clarifications of what are considered public charges. These are the 3 items that I need help with:

1. Medicaid

2. FAFSA

3. Food-stamp

1. I've read the USCIS site below and it seems to indicate that Medicaid would not be a public charge but rather "supplemental". Can anyone confirm this? After getting the greencard, can the person apply for medicaid?

2. Is the person allowed to receive federal aid through FAFSA after getting green card?

3. I believe food-stamp would be public charge but I'm not 100% certain.

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge

Thanks for any help!

for you to receive any king of public assistant you have to have your green card for 5yrs first.

[Boiler 45,931]

Some of it depends on the State.

[AboveBeyond 1]

Thanks everyone for helping.

I was able to locate a Massachusetts public charge document that states medicaid and food stamps are not public charges. I'm not sure if there is a more recent version (published in 2000) so these may have changed.

• Aliens applying to become Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) (who do not yet have a "green card")

– • An alien will not be considered a "public charge" for using:

– HEALTH CARE BENEFITS, including programs such as MassHealth, the Children’s Medical Security Plan, Healthy Start, or other free or low-cost medical care at clinics, health centers or other settings (other than long-term care in a nursing home or similar institution)

– FOOD PROGRAMS, such as Food Stamps, WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), school meals or other food assistance

– OTHER PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT GIVE CASH, such as public housing, child care, energy assistance, disaster relief, Head Start or job training or counseling

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/pressrelease/Charge.pdf

Edited December 13, 2016 by AboveBeyond