This week, in my Consulta Migratoria® column, I outline the requirements under which certain immigrants may qualify for financial assistance and health coverage under Obamacare.
This is the column:
One of the goals of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), known as "Obamacare," is to increase health coverage and make it more affordable. Under this law, certain individuals who are "lawfully present" in the United States may receive financial assistance to purchase health coverage on a sliding scale that will give more help to those with lower incomes.
Undocumented individuals will generally not have access to the health benefits created by Obamacare. However, low-income undocumented immigrants will continue to be eligible for Medicaid/Medi-Cal for emergency medical services. In addition, they will be able to obtain non-emergency medical services at certain community health centers and public hospitals.
Unmarried minor children of undocumented immigrants who are U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States will be able to take advantage of the Obamacare program, including obtaining subsidies to pay for health coverage, as long as they qualify. In addition, they will continue to have access to children's health programs such as the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
According to a legal analysis conducted by the National Immigration Law Center, the federal government has determined that the following individuals are considered to be "legally present"They may be eligible for benefits under Obamacare if they meet the eligibility requirements:
U.S. Citizens
Legal Permanent Residents
Applicants for Adjustment of Status with approved family or work petitions
People fleeing persecution
● Refugees
● Persons who entered the U.S. with conditional permission.
● Asylees
● Persons who have been granted deferral of deportation or removal.
● Persons who have been granted deferral of deportation or removal under the Convention Against Torture
● Applicants for asylum or deferral of deportation/removal.
Other types of humanitarian immigrants
● Persons on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) ● Persons who have entered the U.S. under Parole (Parole)
● Cubans and Haitians who have entered the US.
● Deferred Enforced Departure (Deferred Enforced Departure)
Deferred Action, except for people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. People with DACA are not eligible.
● Special Immigrant Juveniles
Survivors of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes
Survivors of domestic violence who apply for or are granted certain immigration benefits such as VAWA● Victims of human trafficking and certain of their relatives who apply for or are granted T visas
● Persons who have been granted or are applying for a U visa.
Persons with valid nonimmigrant status
● Persons on nonimmigrant visas who have not violated the terms of their visas● Citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
Individuals who have lived in the U.S. for a long period of time
● Lawful Temporary Residents and persons applying for benefits under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) Legalization Program ● Persons applying for benefits under the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act (LIFE) Legalization Program.
● Persons who have been granted Family Unit status.
● Individuals who are applying for cancellation of removal or removal
● Persons with supervision orders
● Individuals applying for benefits under the Registry program.
It is important not to lie when applying for public benefits from the federal government as this may affect you when applying for immigration benefits in the future. If you have any doubts, consult with an attorney or a representative of the federal government before doing anything.
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