EVERYONE
BELONGS HERE
CREATING WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE, AND SAFER HEALTH CARE
FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES.
Need to find something quickly? Search below:
Using Public Benefits
What services can immigrants safely access?
More than ever, immigrants are forgoing benefits for fear of discovery or retaliation.
​
Public Charge:
The evolving policies around Public Charge rules continue to create confusion and fear, particularly for low-income immigrants seeking to enter the U.S. or obtain a green card.
While changes to these rules have been proposed in the past, it is critical for providers to stay informed about what is and is not true. The policy landscape remains fluid, so regularly consult trusted sources like Protecting Immigrant Families and All In For Health for updates and guidance.
​
Families and providers can check out the "Keep Your Benefits" website for state specific guidance related to public charge. There are no questions about name or address or other personal details. The site allows you to explore public charge implications of different scenarios and is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
​
Information Sharing:
​
On June 10, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—shared personal information of people
enrolled in Medi-Cal with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The information shared includes the personal information of all Medi-Cal members: citizens,
immigrants with satisfactory immigration status, immigrants with unsatisfactory status, and people who have accessed only emergency services through Medi-Cal.
​
This resource from NILC and Protecting Immigrant Families has more details on where things stand currently.
​
This resource from the state of CA is an active link that will be regularly updated.
These explainers from Health4All in English & Spanish have more details on information sharing and the implications for immigrant families.
​
​
What We Know
​
1) The Biden administration’s public charge regulations are still in effect. See the PIF site for details.
​
2) Immigrants should never misrepresent information on applications.​
​
3) It is still not clear what will happen with DACA. It is recommended that anyone considering submitting a DACA application should first talk to an immigration attorney or a Board of Immigration Appeals-accredited representative.
Health Insurance
​
1) As of now, ACA stands true, and anyone eligible should apply.
​
2) A growing number of states, including California, are using their own resources to provide Medicaid to their residents regardless of immigration status. More information on CA coverage for adults regardless of documentation status is available here. All in for Health also has a helpful one pager for Californians in multiple languages here.
​
3) Immigrants should apply for health coverage through the ACA marketplace. If they are undocumented and applying for someone in their household, they should not provide any information about their immigration status and instead say “I am not applying for health insurance for myself.”
Public Benefits
Benefits Finder in English & Spanish →
Online benefits finder. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for most federal benefits, but many states provide some benefits that do not require documentation status. This site can be searched by state, benefit type, or families can enter their information for a personalized list. It is ideal if families in need of assistance can beet with a social worker or other specialized provider to help them navigate the system. Since this is a government site, patients should be cautious about entering too much personal information.
CA Department of Health & Human Services
Public Charge Guide (available in 21 languages) →
The CalHHS Public Charge Guide provides current information regarding federal changes to “public charge” determinations and the use of public benefits.
Health Care Access for Immigrant Youth and Families in California (for non-medical providers)​​ →
Tip sheet offering practical knowledge to attorneys serving immigrant youth and families who are in need of connecting to medical and behavioral health care.
Mass Legal Services
Immigrants & Public Benefits: Basic Benefits Training Resources (Feb 2026) →
Mostly Massachusetts focused, but some broader information as well.
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
California Major Benefits Programs Available to Immigrants (Feb 2026) →
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Webpage with articles reviewing the concept of "Public Charge," and how that relates to immigration. While some of the materials are older, the definitions still apply.
San Francisco Human Services Agency
Post-Election San Francisco Public Benefits FAQ (CHN, ENG, SPA updated May 2025)
Chinese I English I Spanish | Tagalog | Russian | Vietnamese