Immigration

I am not a United States citizen. Can I get SNAP (Food Stamps), Financial Assistance, Child Care or Medicaid in Utah?

Yes, you may be eligible if you are a "qualified" immigrant for SNAP, Financial Assistance, and Medicaid. This includes Permanent Legal Residents (holders of green cards), refugees, asylees (an individual who has been granted asylum), people granted withholding of deportation or removal, Cuban/Haitian entrants, individuals paroled into the U.S. for a least one year by immigration authorities, conditional entrants (temporary green card), and certain victims of domestic violence and Victims of Human Trafficking. Your children may be eligible for Child Care benefits if they are U.S. Citizens or are Qualified Non-U.S. Citizens. You will have to show proof of your income, resources, and meet all other criteria for each program to be eligible.

Will my immigration status be reported to immigration authorities?

No, your immigration status information will only be used to check whether you are eligible for SNAP, Financial Assistance or Medicaid. Immigration authorities cannot use this information to deport you unless there is a criminal violation involved.

Can my kids get benefits even if I don't have U.S. immigration documents?

Yes, your children may be eligible even if you aren't or don’t have immigration documents. You may apply for benefits for your kids who were born in the U.S., are permanent residents, or qualify for special immigration status. You will have to show proof of your income, resources, and meet all other criteria for each program to be eligible.

Will receiving benefits on behalf of my children make it harder to get a green card or become a citizen?

Receiving public benefits does not automatically make an individual a “public charge.” Child Care programs are not included in public charge determination. For details on Public Charge, please visit the USCIS website at the following link:
https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/public-charge or
https://www.uscis.gov/es/tarjeta-verde/carga-publica

Can immigrant children who don't have U.S. immigration documentation get SNAP, Financial Assistance, Child Care or Medicaid?

No, only children born in the U.S., are permanent residents, or qualify for special immigration status can receive benefits. Individuals (adults and children) with an emergency medical need may be eligible to receive Medicaid coverage for that emergency.

Is information about sponsorship required as a component of applying for SNAP, Financial Assistance, Child Care or Medicaid?

Yes, in some situations it may be required for you to provide information about the sponsorship to determine your eligibility for the programs you have applied for. Each program has different requirements for sponsorship. However, in many cases, it may be determined that you are exempt from providing sponsorship information, such as having 10 years of work history or meeting certain immigration statuses.