Some immigration applications have a Public Charge test. An immigration officer uses this test to decide if a person is likely to depend financially on the government in the future. Public Benefits are help from the government for basic needs like health care, housing, food, or cash.
Federal Means-Tested Public Benefits
Federal means-tested public benefits include food stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
State Means-Tested Public Benefits
Each state will determine which, if any, of its public benefits are means-tested. If a state determines it has programs that meet this definition, we encourage them to notify the public on which programs are included. You can also check with the state public assistance office for more information.
Programs Not Included
The following federal and state programs are not included as means-tested benefits:
- Emergency Medicaid;
- Short-term, non-cash emergency relief;
- Services provided under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts;
- Immunizations and testing and treatment for communicable diseases;
- Student assistance under the Higher Education Act and the Public Health Service Act;
- Certain forms of foster-care or adoption assistance under the Social Security Act;
- Head Start programs;
- Means-tested programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; and
- Job Training Partnership Act programs.
For more information on Public Benefits,
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