Blog Post
If I Apply for Government Benefits, Will I Be Deported as a “Public Charge?”
5/26/2025
A. Not necessarily. A “public charge” is an alien who has become or is likely to become primarily dependent on the Government for subsistence, which can include receiving Government financial assistance or being institutionalized for long-term care at government expense. Being a “public charge” is grounds for deportation or inadmissibility. However, not all assistance makes you a public charge. In general, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and cash assistance from TANF or state or local general assistance programs could be considered for public charge purposes, but benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, CHIP and WIC assistance usually are not. This is a complicated area, and you are encouraged to seek the advice of an experienced immigration lawyer if you think you may be inadmissible or deported based on your receipt of Government benefits.
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