Press Office 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

Fact Sheet October 18, 2000 

Massachusetts Edition 

A QUICK GUIDE TO ‘PUBLIC CHARGE’ AND RECEIPT 

OF PUBLIC BENEFITS 

This guide provides a summary of how receiving public benefits in the United States may or may not 

affect an alien under the "public charge" provisions of the immigration laws. 

• 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 

• INS may consider an alien’s use of the following in deciding whether to issue a "green 

card": 

www.dhs.gov 
– CASH WELFARE, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI); cash Transitional Aid to 

Families With Dependent Children (TAFDC); and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled 

and Children (EAEDC) 

– INSTITUTIONALIZATION for long-term care, such as residing in a nursing 

home or mental health facility at government expense 

Note: INS will not consider CASH WELFARE or NON-CASH PROGRAMS 

received by an alien’s children or other family members for public charge purposes, 

unless the cash welfare is the family’s only means of support. 

• Aliens who are LPRs (who already have a "green card") – 

• LPRs cannot lose their status (have their "green card" revoked) if they, their children or other 

family members use: 

– HEALTH CARE, FOOD PROGRAMS or other NON-CASH PROGRAMS 

– CASH WELFARE (* see note below for exception) 

– LONG-TERM CARE (* see note below for exception) 

Notes: 

* LPRs who leave the country for more than 6 months at a time can be questioned about 

whether they are "public charges" when they return, and the use of cash welfare or long-term 

care may be considered. 

* In very rare circumstances, LPRs who use cash welfare or long-term care within their first 

5 years in the United States for reasons (such as an illness or disability) that existed before 

their entry to the United States could be considered deportable as a public charge. 

• REFUGEES AND PEOPLE GRANTED ASYLUM can use any public benefits, 

including cash welfare, health care, food programs and other non-cash programs without 

hurting their chances of getting a "green card." 

• SPONSORING RELATIVES – Using benefits, including cash welfare, health care, food 

programs and other non-cash benefits, does not prevent citizens and LPRs from sponsoring 

relatives. However, sponsors must submit an Affidavit of Support showing that they have 

enough money (alone or with a co-sponsor) to support their relatives at 125 percent of the 

poverty level. 

• BECOMING A NATURALIZED U.S. CITIZEN – LPRs (who already have a "green 

card") cannot be turned down for U.S. citizenship for lawfully receiving any public benefits 

for which they are eligible. 
Need More Information? 

For more information about "public charge" – 

• Please see the INS Web site at www.ins.usdoj.gov for a fact sheet and questions and answers. 

Information is available in several languages under Public Affairs. 

For more information about how to enroll in benefit programs – 

• Please contact the appropriate federal, state or local service agency. Calls are free. Helpful contacts 

include: 

For Healthy Start: 1-800-531-2229 

For Food Stamps: 1-800-645-8333 

1-800-249-2007 

For WIC: 1-800-942-1007 

For MassHealth: 1-800-841-2900 

1-800-531-2229 

For Children’s Medical Security Plan: 1-800-909-2677 

1-800-531-2229 

For TAFDC or EAEDC: 1-800-249-2007