Public Charge
Most benefits are not counted. People give up help they are entitled to because they believe otherwise - this is what USCIS actually considers.
Counted
These can be considered in a public charge determination.
Except: Benefits received by your family members (for example, your children) are not counted against you
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Cash welfare benefits provided to families with low income. This is one of the primary benefits considered under the public charge rule.
Except: Non-cash TANF services, such as child care or job training, are not considered
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Cash benefit program for aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources.
State, tribal or local cash assistance
State, tribal, territorial or local cash assistance for income maintenance.
Long-term institutionalization at government expense
Long-term care in a nursing home, mental health institution or similar facility, paid for by Medicaid or another government program.
Except: Other Medicaid - emergency, pregnancy and postpartum, children's and school-based services - is not considered at all
Not counted
Using these does not affect a public charge determination.
SNAP (food stamps)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is NOT considered in the public charge determination.
Most Medicaid coverage
Regular Medicaid coverage (non-institutional, non-long-term care) is NOT counted. This includes Medicaid for children, pregnant women, and routine doctor visits.
Emergency Medicaid
Emergency medical services funded by Medicaid are NOT considered in any public charge determination.
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
Health insurance for children through CHIP is NOT considered for public charge purposes.
School lunch program
Free or reduced-price school lunch programs are NOT considered.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is NOT considered.
Housing assistance (Section 8, public housing)
Federal housing assistance programs, including Section 8 vouchers and public housing, are NOT considered under the current rule.
Unemployment insurance
Unemployment benefits are earned benefits and are NOT considered for public charge.
Social Security retirement / SSDI
Social Security retirement benefits and SSDI (Disability Insurance) are earned benefits and are NOT considered.
Tax credits (EITC, Child Tax Credit)
Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and similar tax credits are NOT considered.
Disaster relief
FEMA disaster relief, emergency assistance, and related benefits are NOT considered.
Head Start / early education
Head Start and other early childhood education programs are NOT considered.
COVID-19 related benefits
COVID-19 stimulus payments, testing, treatment, and vaccination services are NOT considered.
LIHEAP (energy assistance)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits are NOT considered.
Who Is Exempt Entirely
Public charge does not apply to these categories at all.
Refugees
Individuals admitted as refugees under INA 207 are exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility.
Asylees
Individuals granted asylum under INA 208 are exempt from public charge.
T visa holders (trafficking victims)
Victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons (T nonimmigrant status) are exempt.
U visa holders (crime victims)
Victims of qualifying crimes who assist law enforcement (U nonimmigrant status) are exempt.
VAWA self-petitioners
Self-petitioners under the Violence Against Women Act are exempt from public charge.
Special immigrant juveniles (SIJ)
Children classified as Special Immigrant Juveniles are exempt from public charge.
TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
Individuals applying for or granted TPS are generally not subject to public charge inadmissibility.
DACA recipients (renewals)
DACA renewal applications do not involve a public charge determination.
Afghan / Iraqi special immigrants (SIV)
Afghan and Iraqi special immigrants are generally exempt from public charge.
Cuban/Haitian entrants
Cuban and Haitian entrants adjusting status under specific programs are exempt.
Certain military members
Active duty members of the U.S. armed forces and certain veterans are exempt.
Amerasians
Amerasian immigrants adjusting under specific provisions are exempt.
What USCIS Weighs
Under the 2022 rule, the officer looks at the totality of your circumstances using the factors the law lists. There are no "heavily weighted" factors, and apart from a required affidavit of support, no single factor decides it.
What The Law Lists
Age
Whether your age affects your ability to work or support yourself. Age alone does not decide the case.
Health
Whether a health condition affects your ability to work, go to school or care for yourself. Where a medical exam (Form I-693) is required, USCIS relies on it. A disability alone cannot be the only reason for a public charge finding.
Family status
Your household size, including the people you support and the people who support you.
Assets, resources and financial status
Your household income, assets and debts. Past receipt of SSI, TANF cash assistance, state, tribal or local cash assistance, or long-term institutionalization at government expense can be considered, but it does not decide the case on its own.
Education and skills
Your schooling, degrees, certifications, licenses, work history and job skills.
Affidavit of support (Form I-864)
Required for most family-based and some employment-based green cards. A sufficient I-864 counts in your favor. Where one is required and is missing or not sufficient, you are inadmissible on that ground regardless of the other factors.
In Your Favor
Currently employed
Having a job or job offer demonstrates self-sufficiency and the ability to support yourself financially.
Household income
Your household income is part of your financial status. There is no fixed cutoff, but income at or above 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (the usual minimum for an I-864 sponsor) helps.
Education and skills
Higher education, professional training, and certifications demonstrate your ability to obtain or maintain employment.
Financial assets and resources
Savings, property, and other assets demonstrate financial stability and self-sufficiency.
Working age
Your age is considered as it relates to your ability to work. Age alone does not decide the case.
Good health
Being in good health with no conditions that would interfere with the ability to work, attend school, or care for oneself.
Affidavit of Support
Having a qualifying sponsor who files Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) with sufficient income.
Against
Not currently employed
Lack of current employment, with no reasonable prospect of future employment, is a negative factor.
Low household income
Household income below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can count against you, but there is no fixed cutoff, and a sufficient I-864 from a sponsor can help offset it.
Limited education or skills
Lack of education, occupational skills, or certifications that would allow you to obtain employment.
Health condition requiring treatment
A diagnosed medical condition that requires extensive treatment or that interferes with work ability.
Very young or elderly
Being very young or elderly may be considered, though age alone is not determinative.
Myths
✗ Using any government benefit will make me a public charge.
✓ Only SSI, TANF cash assistance, state, tribal or local cash assistance, and long-term institutionalization at government expense are considered. Most benefits, like SNAP, WIC, most Medicaid, CHIP, housing assistance and school lunch, are NOT considered.
✗ If my U.S. citizen child receives benefits, it will affect my case.
✓ Benefits received by your family members, including your U.S. citizen children, are NOT counted against you in a public charge determination. USCIS looks only at benefits YOU received yourself.
✗ Going to the emergency room will count against me.
✓ Emergency Medicaid is explicitly excluded from the public charge determination. Seeking emergency medical care will NOT affect your immigration case.
✗ Using food stamps (SNAP) will make me inadmissible.
✓ SNAP/food stamps are NOT a factor in the public charge test. Using SNAP will not negatively affect your immigration application.
✗ Public charge applies to everyone applying for immigration benefits.
✓ Many people are exempt, including refugees, asylees, T and U visa holders, VAWA self-petitioners, Special Immigrant Juveniles, TPS applicants and others. Always check if your category is exempt, and talk to an immigration attorney about your own case.
✗ If I have ever been poor, I cannot get a green card.
✓ USCIS considers the "totality of circumstances" -- your complete profile. Having a period of low income does not automatically disqualify you, especially if you have other positive factors.
✗ I need to be wealthy to pass the public charge test.
✓ You do not need to be wealthy. There is no fixed income cutoff: the officer looks at your whole situation, and where an affidavit of support (Form I-864) is required, a sufficient one from your sponsor counts in your favor.
✗ The public charge rule is a new invention to keep immigrants out.
✓ The public charge ground of inadmissibility has existed in U.S. immigration law since the 1880s. What has changed over time is how it is defined and what benefits are considered.
✗ Using COVID-19 vaccines, testing, or treatment will count against me.
✓ COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatment are NOT considered in the public charge determination. USCIS has explicitly stated this.
✗ If I have a disability, I will automatically be deemed a public charge.
✓ Having a disability does not automatically make you a public charge. USCIS considers the totality of circumstances, including whether you have insurance, income, a sponsor, and other resources.
✗ My sponsor's income does not matter.
✓ If you have a qualifying sponsor who files an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), their income and assets are considered as a strong positive factor in the determination.
✗ Once I receive benefits, the damage is permanent and cannot be overcome.
✓ The determination looks at the totality of circumstances. If you previously received benefits but now have employment, income, and other positive factors, those current circumstances are considered.
✗ Any benefit use = public charge
✓ Only specific cash benefits and long-term institutional care at government expense are considered.
✗ The test is pass/fail
✓ USCIS uses a "totality of circumstances" test weighing all positive and negative factors together.
✗ Everyone must meet a specific income level
✓ Income is one factor among many. There is no single income cutoff that guarantees approval or denial.
✗ Prior rule changes still apply
✓ The 2019 expanded rule was vacated. The current rule (2022 Final Rule) follows a narrower definition focused on cash benefits and institutional care.
Official Sources
- USCIS public charge policyOfficial USCIS page on public charge policy and guidance.
- USCIS Policy Manual - public chargeThe current public charge rule as applied by USCIS, in the Policy Manual.
- HHS Poverty GuidelinesCurrent Federal Poverty Guidelines from HHS.
- Protecting Immigrant FamiliesCoalition providing resources on public charge and immigrant family rights.
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC)In-depth analysis of public charge rules and resources.
- Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC)Resources and tools for understanding public charge from CLINIC.
- Find free legal aidDirectory of free and low-cost immigration legal services.
- Form I-864 instructionsOfficial instructions for the Affidavit of Support form.
This is general information, not legal advice, and the rule has changed more than once in recent years. If you are weighing whether to use a benefit, talk to an immigration attorney or a legal aid organization before giving one up.