Benefits for undocumented immigrants (NYC)

Immigrants who have just arrived in New York may be eligible for public benefits that provide money and medical care, including:

• Cash Assistance provides you with some money twice a month so you can buy things you need, like toiletries and clothes.
• Medicaid pays for your medical care, like going to the doctor or getting medications.
• WIC helps women, infants and children buy things they need, like formula or cereal.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR CASH ASSISTANCE, MEDICAID, AND WIC IN NEW YORK?

• You do NOT need to be a US citizen or have status to receive these benefits.
• Applying for WIC and Medicaid should NOT harm your immigration status and applying for cash assistance will not automatically deem you a “public charge".
• The “public charge” rule does not apply to asylees, refugees, VAWA self-petitioners, U-visa and T-visa holders; special immigrant juveniles; and certain individuals paroled into the U.S.
• Most immigrants do not even qualify for public benefits that make a person a “public charge.”