DHS will only consider public benefits as listed in the rule:   

  • Any federal, state, local, or tribal cash assistance for income maintenance   

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 

  • Federal, state or local cash benefit programs for income maintenance (often called “General Assistance” in the state context, but which may exist under other names)  

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or formerly called “Food Stamps”) 

  • Section 8 Housing Assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program 

  • Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (including Moderate Rehabilitation)  

  • Public Housing under section 9 the Housing Act of 1937, 42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq. 

  • Federally funded Medicaid (with certain exclusions) 

This rule also clarifies that DHS will not consider the receipt of designated public benefits received by an alien who, at the time of receipt, or at the time of filing the application for admission, adjustment of status, extension of stay, or change of status, is enlisted in the U.S. armed forces, or is serving in active duty or in any of the Ready Reserve components of the U.S. armed forces, and will not consider the receipt of public benefits by the spouse and children of such service members. The rule further provides that DHS will not consider public benefits received by children, including adopted children, who will acquire U.S. citizenship under INA 320, 8 U.S.C. 1431 or INA 322, 8 U.S.C. 1433. 

DHS also will not consider:  

  1. The receipt of Medicaid for the treatment of an emergency medical condition;  
  2. Services or benefits funded by Medicaid but provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;  
  3. School-based services or benefits provided to individuals who are at or below the oldest age eligible for secondary education as determined under state or local law;  
  4. Medicaid benefits received by an alien under 21 years of age; or  
  5. Medicaid benefits received by a woman during pregnancy and during the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy.   

The final rule also clarifies that DHS will only consider public benefits received directly by the applicant for the applicant’s own benefit, or where the applicant is a listed beneficiary of the public benefit. DHS will not consider public benefits received on behalf of another as a legal guardian or pursuant to a power of attorney for such a person. DHS will also not attribute receipt of a public benefit by one or more members of the applicant’s household to the applicant, unless the applicant is also a listed beneficiary of the public benefit.