Understanding Social Services Benefits for Fee Waivers in USCIS Forms

Social Services Benefits By Mursal Mohammadi May 16, 2024

Verification of public benefits is needed for clients to qualify for fee waivers in their USCIS forms where a fee waiver is available, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications based on Asylum. (A fee waiver is not available for family-based AOS.) Current Fee for AOS is $1440 for ages 14 and above. Also, current fee for TPS is $50 without a new EAD. But there is a way to waive the fees for both applications.

Verification of benefits can be used as proof Verification of benefits can be used as proof of residency as well !! of residency as well !! For the Adjustment of Status (AOS) application, evidence of residency for each month since asylum was granted is required. Similarly, for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications, proof of residency for each month since September 2023 is necessary. Since the clients receive public benefits every month, it can be used as their proof of residency as well along with other documents. their proof of residency as well along with other documents. it can be used as

Types of public benefits Types of public benefits - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/CalFresh. - Medicaid. - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). - Housing Assistance Programs. - Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). - CalWORKs. The most common ones among our clients: CalFresh, Medi Cal (Full scope), WIC and CalWORKs CalFresh, Medi Cal (Full scope), WIC and CalWORKs

CalFresh & WIC CalFresh & WIC CalFresh is California's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It is a food assistance program that provides low-income individuals and families with funds to purchase nutritious food. Recipients receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be used like a debit card to buy eligible food items at authorized retailers. WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children. It is a federally funded nutrition program in the United States that provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health care for low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.

Medi Medi- -Cal & CalWORKs Cal & CalWORKs Medi-Cal is a government-funded healthcare program in California designed to provide medical services for eligible low-income individuals and families. It covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and preventive care, helping ensure access to essential healthcare for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise. CalWORKs, which stands for California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids, is a welfare program in California designed to provide temporary financial assistance and employment-related services to eligible low-income families with children.

Eligibility Eligibility

The Eligibility criteria for most of the The Eligibility criteria for most of the programs are similar. programs are similar. Income Eligibility, Household Composition, Work Requirements, Citizenship/Immigration Status, Asset Limits are some of the factors are considered to determine eligibility for these programs.

Verification Of Benefits Verification Of Benefits

There are two ways to get a There are two ways to get a Verification of Benefits Verification of Benefits 1. Online 1. Online Some programs may offer the option to obtain a verification of benefits online. 1.Visit BenefitsCal.com - it has a summary of benefits that you receive, the amount and history. It lists all the family members. 2.Download the verification of benefits.

If client does not have an online portal If client does not have an online portal 1.Create an account in BenefitsCal.com. 2.Link their case using their case number. 3.Upload the required documents. 4.Download the verification of public benefits.

2. In Person 2. In Person If Online portal does not work by any reason, you can also get verification of benefits in person from the closest DPSS to you. 1.Go to nearest DPSS. 2.Ask for a "Verification of Benefits" 3.If they can t provide verification of the benefits for last coupe of months, ask for a "Notice of Approval and current month's record". Online or Person, you might get asked for some documents such as Identification, proof of residency, immigration status, and your A Number.

Important !! Important !! 2. Make sure your address is 3. Get proof of all the 1. Have all the family current with the county. months you need for members listed in the the application and verification document. not just current Getting under primary's month. name does not prove anything for the rest of the family.

Potential Challenges Potential Challenges - DPSS Not accepting immigration status. Sometimes, clients stop getting benefits because DPSS wants them to prove their immigration status. - Receiving wrong documents. 1.If they have pending asylum; take Re-Parole notice or C11 EAD card to show their parole status. 2.If their Asylum was approved; take notice of approval or the new I94s for all family members. You can also upload documents online.

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