What is Public Charge?

Public charge is an assessment used in some immigration cases. It can apply when some immigrants seek entry to the United States or apply for a green card. It does not apply to most immigrants already in the United States.

TOGETHER FOR YOU

Keeping you informed about
changes to public charge

Federal public charge rules have changed. The rule does not apply to everyone. Each person’s case is different. Get trusted advice before you change health care, food aid, or other support for you or your family.

This page has the latest public charge information as of September 18, 2026.

Get the Facts

The new rule lets federal immigration officials look at benefits that the old rule did not use in a public charge decision.

The public charge rule does not decide who can get Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or other public benefits. It is an immigration rule, not a benefits eligibility rule.

If you have questions about your case, talk with a qualified immigration legal services provider. This is a legal expert who can help with immigration questions. You can find one on the California Department of Social Services website.

For questions about your eligibility for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, Covered California, or other benefits, contact your county benefits office or another trusted benefits helper.

What Matters Most

Before taking any action, learn if the rule applies to you.

Public charge applies only in some immigration cases. The rules may depend on your status. They may also depend on the type of application you file now or plan to file later.

Get advice about your own case before you make a choice. That choice could affect an application you file now or later. It could also affect your health, food, or family.

Keeping What Matters

Your health and your family’s well-being matter

Don’t put your benefits at risk before knowing if public charge affects you. Here are important facts about the new federal public charge rule.

Public charge does not apply to most immigrants.

In general, it applies when federal immigration officials decide if someone can enter the United States or get a green card.

Federal immigration officials look at each person’s full situation.

They must look at age, health, family, income, money, education, and job skills. They can also look at other facts.

Some public benefits that were not considered under the prior rule will now be considered.

If public charge applies to your case, federal officials will look at the use of means-tested benefits. Means-tested benefits are government paid benefits based on income or need. For example, they include Medicaid, called Medi-Cal in California. They also include SNAP, called CalFresh in California. In addition, for some, receiving financial assistance through Covered California may be considered. There are other types of means-tested public benefits that can be considered under the public charge rules.

Federal immigration officials review benefit use with the other facts listed above. The effect will depend on each person’s case. Get trusted legal advice before you make a change.

What about benefits my family uses?

Benefits used by your children or other family members are not treated as benefits you received. But federal officials can look at them when they review your family’s money and support. If a family member uses benefits, ask a qualified immigration legal services provider how the public charge rule may apply to your case.

Public charge does not decide if you qualify for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, or another public benefit.

Changes to who can get benefits are separate from public charge. Each public benefit program has its own rules about who can qualify and you will want stay updated on any new program changes by going to the state program websites and other trusted sources on this website.

Before you give up health care, food assistance, or other support your family needs, get the facts.

Each immigration case is different. If you are worried about public charge, talk with a trusted legal expert before you change benefits for you or your family.

Together For You

Resources to help you understand what has changed and where to get help.

Public Charge Guide

Get the facts in multiple languages.

The CalHHS Public Charge Guide explains the new rule. It tells you who may be affected, how benefits will be reviewed, and where to get trusted help.

The guide will be updated when more federal guidance is available.

Read the Public Charge Guide >>

Self Assessment Tool

Does public charge apply to me?

Use the CalHHS Public Charge Self-Assessment Tool to learn which questions to ask about your case and your family’s benefits.

Public charge does not apply to every person or every benefit. The tool can show what facts you may need before you talk with a legal expert.

Use the Self-Assessment Tool >>

Trusted Sources

Get information you can trust.

For questions about public charge and your case, contact a qualified immigration legal services provider.

For questions about Medi-Cal, CalFresh, Covered California, or other benefits, contact:

Your county benefits office.
A trusted community organization, such as legal aid, a community health center, your WIC local agency, an immigrant-serving organization, or a food bank.

For more information about a specific program, visit:

Medi-Cal: California’s Medicaid health coverage program.
CalFresh: California’s SNAP food assistance program.
Covered California: Receiving financial assistance, also known as “Advance Premium Tax Credits”.

For more information:

California Department of Social Services
Find qualified immigration legal services providers.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Get current federal information about public charge.