Health Care and Public Benefits

The following are materials are for the March 27, 2024 Immigrants and Public Benefits training. These are the core materials presented as part of the annual Mass Law Reform Institute and Mass Continuing Legal Education Basic Benefits Training (BBT) Series.  We've also added some…

This  updated March 2024 memo summarizes the current immigrant eligibility rules that MassHealth and the Health Connector use in making decisions about what kinds of coverage non-citizens with different kinds of status can receive. The update reflects federal law changes in 2021…

A list of health programs available to all Massachusetts residents regardless of US citizenship or immigration status with a short description of each program and information on how to apply; in English, Spanish & Portuguese. Revised in March 2024 with updated COVID-19 information. 

Many low-income nationals of Haiti and Cuba qualify for cash and food assistance and health care coverage. These FAQS in English and Haitian Creole briefly describe the food and cash assistance benefits available for Haitians. This includes new arrivals granted humanitarian parole (of any duration),…

This page describes an immigration policy called Public Charge. It is generally safe to get benefits you and your family are eligible for. See Q&As below. This information is not legal advice. If you have questions, contact an immigration attorney. To see which immigrants are eligible for…

This Feb 2022 Eligibility Operations Memo from the Office of Medicaid provides information on how to identify Cuban-Haitian entrants who are "qualifed aliens" eligible for medical benefits on the same terms as US citizens. It updates an earlier June 2020 El Ops Memo to include examples of…

On December 10th, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO) issued guidance directing local food pantries to suspend practices where food pantry clients are asked for photo IDs or SSNs as a condition of getting emergency food. Attached is the AGO guidance. "The advisory recognizes…

The programs on the linked spreadshett are available to all Massachusetts residents regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Additional benefits are available to US citizens and non-citizens with an eligible immigration status. NOTE that none of the benefits that are available regardless…

This table provides a general overview of some of the federal public programs available to support individuals and families during the COVID-19 crisis under existing law, as well as the recently passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and…

Attached are the comments submitted by MLRI to the Department of Homeland Security in response to the proposed public charge regulation.

1. Do I have to be a U.S. resident or citizen to apply for emergency disaster relief? You can qualify for non-cash FEMA disaster programs even without legal immigration status. Getting other benefits depends on your immigration status. 2. Will I be considered a public charge and denied…

The AG’s Office issued  guidance following inquiries from health care providers and public school officials about the impact of federal immigration policies and executive orders on patients and students.“Parents should never be afraid to send their children to school, and people…

THIS TABLE PROVIDES an overview of immigrant eligibility for selected federal programs. Some states provide coverage or assistance to immigrants who are not eligible for federally funded services.

Fact sheet for immigrants about applying for health insurance or seeking heath care. In English and Spanish.

 Information from NILC about eligibility and other rules governing immigrants’ access to federal and state public benefits programs, including SSI.

Several overviews, in English and Spanish.

On March 29, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is a temporary immigration benefit, authorized under Section 244 of the Immigration and Nationalization Act (INA) granted by the U.S. Citizenship and…

In a unanimous decision, the SJC ruled that a 2009 state law excluding certain legal immigrants from eligibility for Commonwealth Care was unconstitutional. Finch II, 461 Mass. 232 (2012).  In an earlier ruling , the court found that the state law  was subject to strict scrutiny under…

Finding that Haitian nationals granted TPS do not meet the definition of Haitian entrant and therefore are not qualified aliens eligible for SNAP (food stamp) benefits.  However, iff the household consists of a mixture of eligible U.S. citizens, eligible qualified aliens, or persons with…