Public Assistance and Being Designated a Public Charge in Charleston, SC

With immigration law, being designated a public charge is a ground of inadmissibility, a bar to permanent residency, and a reason for deportation. "Public charge" for immigration purposes is defined as someone likely to become

"primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance, or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense," someone,

"Who cannot support himself or herself through employment, assets, or the help of family and instead depends on government benefits and assistance programs."

Determining Factors

The determination of public assistance is based on several factors:

1. Age
2. Health
3. Family status
4. Assets
5. Resources
6. Financial status
7. Education
8. Career skills
9. Whether the immigrant uses welfare programs like Supplemental Social Security (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

No factors, by themselves, other than not providing an affidavit of support, when required, will determine an individual as a public charge. So receiving federal, state, and/or local public benefits as a non-citizen does not mean you will face bad immigration consequences.

Some public assistance by non-citizens is permitted.

Emergency disaster relief programs, treatment of communicable diseases, immunizations, Food Stamps, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), Medicaid, housing benefits, child care services, adoption and foster care services, energy assistance, education assistance, job training programs, and unemployment compensation are examples.

Short-Term Use

Short-term use of SSI or TANF does not automatically disqualify someone from permanent residency or result in deportation. But some of these examples, where cash assistance was paid, may be construed as factors to be considered. It appears the receipt of cash is a key factor in determining a public charge. Each determination is made on a case-by-case basis in the context of the totality of the circumstances.

Refugees and asylees can use any benefits, including cash welfare, health care, food programs, and non-cash programs, without hurting their chances of getting a green card.

Similarly, green card holders cannot lose their permanent residency if they or their family members use cash welfare, health care programs, food stamps, non-cash programs, or long-term care. But they might have a problem if they leave the U.S. for more than 6 months and use these programs or use these programs for pre-existing conditions during their first 5 years in the U.S.

And in general, green card holders who receive public benefits of any kind cannot be denied U.S. citizenship.