What is 'Public Charge'? | LawHelp Minnesota

Authored By

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid

Read this in

Spanish / Español

Somali / Soomali

Try our Quiz

After you're done reading this page, take a short quiz to test what you've learned!

‘Public charge’ applies to immigrants coming to the US, and also for some immigrants in the US, who are applying for a green card for the first time. Public charge decides if someone is ‘admissable’ or not by deciding if they will need public benefits in the future. In 2019, the Trump administration tried to make the public charge rule harder. Biden’s USCIS and Homeland Security have announced they won’t use the Trump version of the public charge rule.

Ask a lawyer about your immigration status, what benefits you or your family can get, and if public charge applies to you. Legal Aid is confidential and free.

Mid-MN Legal Aid: (800) 292-4150 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

What is 'Public Charge'?

‘Public charge’ applies to immigrants coming to the US, and also for some immigrants in the US, who are applying for a green card for the first time. Public charge decides if someone is ‘admissable’ or not by deciding if they will need public benefits in the future. In 2019, the Trump administration tried to make the public charge rule harder. Biden’s USCIS and Homeland Security have announced they won’t use the Trump version of the public charge rule.

This means that USCIS only counts some cash assistance (SSI, MFIP and GA) and Medicaid for nursing home care against someone when they apply for admission (a green card) for the first time. Note: noncitizens who don’t have a green card don’t get these benefits anyway.The Trump administration wanted to count food, housing and health benefits, but now those do not count.

Ask a lawyer about your immigration status, what benefits you or your family can get, and if public charge applies to you. Legal Aid is confidential and free.

Mid-MN Legal Aid: (800) 292-4150 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)