N-400. Should we accept or decline Medicad?

[GuruSikh 6]

Hello. Last month, I applied for my wife's citizenship last month. ( I am US Citizen, she has been LPR since 2015)

 

Due to COVID, the company I have been working for stop worked and have been unemployed for a few months. They will restart work again next year and I will go back to work in Jan 2021.

I have been receiving unemployment payment from the state during that time.

 

Due to the marketplace enrollment period being only from Nov 1 to Dec 15, we reapplied for insurance for next year. 

When they asked for my income what I was getting during that month. I put what I was getting.

 

Instead of giving her private insurance, they sent her case to FSSA (Medicad). They also sent my case.

 

Question: Should we accept or decline the Medicad? Is that going to effect her case for citizenship? Sorry if this an obvious question. 

 

Thank you. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Public charge is not a factor taken into account for N400. 

[millefleur 5,046]

That is normal. What happens is, they will send both cases to Medicaid and then, if your immigration status disqualifies you for Medicaid, they will send your case back to the Marketplace, upon which you will be able to purchase a plan there. It's possible your spouse ends up on Medicaid and you end up with a Marketplace plan. This is common, happens to a lot of people. If you qualify for Medicaid, you can use that, too, of course.

 

It depends on what your exact state's rules are for GC holders and Medicaid. Read more here:

 

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/

[GuruSikh 6]

6 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

Public charge is not a factor taken into account for N400. 

ok thank you. Is there still a possibility they can ask about it at the interview or do they do not ask about it because it is not taken into account? (My wife is concerned)

 

Off-Topic: Is there any other process regarding immigration that public charge is taken into account or affects the procedure? 

 

Thanks.

[GuruSikh 6]

7 hours ago, millefleur said:

That is normal. What happens is, they will send both cases to Medicaid and then, if your immigration status disqualifies you for Medicaid, they will send your case back to the Marketplace, upon which you will be able to purchase a plan there. It's possible your spouse ends up on Medicaid and you end up with a Marketplace plan. This is common, happens to a lot of people. If you qualify for Medicaid, you can use that, too, of course.

 

It depends on what your exact state's rules are for GC holders and Medicaid. Read more here:

 

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/

Ok thank you very much for the insight., I will look into it. My wife was concerned if they will ask about it at the interview. 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

33 minutes ago, GuruSikh said:

ok thank you. Is there still a possibility they can ask about it at the interview or do they do not ask about it because it is not taken into account? (My wife is concerned)

 

Off-Topic: Is there any other process regarding immigration that public charge is taken into account or affects the procedure? 

 

Thanks.

I wasn’t asked about anything to do with public charge in my interview. My understanding is that it only affects getting a green card. Obviously if you or your wife want to sponsor anyone then it’s going to be an issue from a sponsor income perspective. 

[GuruSikh 6]

On 12/28/2020 at 9:16 AM, SusieQQQ said:

I wasn’t asked about anything to do with public charge in my interview. My understanding is that it only affects getting a green card. Obviously if you or your wife want to sponsor anyone then it’s going to be an issue from a sponsor income perspective. 

ah cool. I did not know. Thank you for the information and help. 

[GuruSikh 6]

Susie, I found this helpful article online. I thought it would helpful to others.

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/will-receiving-public-benefits-hurt-your-chances-us-citizenship.html

 

Like you said, it should not affect as long it is received legally and lawfully

Also, you were right about green card, it may affect the process.

 

Thanks.