Public Benefit Eligibility of Deferred Action "Dreamers"
Residents of New York State who have been granted deferred action under the Obama Administration’s newly established “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” (DACA) program will be eligible for all New York State public benefits, provided they meet the benefit program’s non-immigrant related eligibility requirements. Read More
New York State Court of Appeals - Legal Aliens Not Entitled to State Benefits at Level Given U.S. Citizens
On May 12, 2009, the New York State Court of Appeals issued a decision in Khrapunskiy v. Doar, 12 N.Y.3d 478 (2009), a class action case addressing the level of assistance the state is obligated to provide to elderly, blind and disabled legal immigrants who have been rendered ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because of their immigration status. Read More
Empire Justice Center to Open a Long Island Office
Empire Justice will be opening a Long Island office as part of Touro Law School’s newly created Long Island Public Interest Legal Center. The Center will house other not-for-profit agencies, including Nassau Suffolk Lawl Services, the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund, the Civil Liberties Union, and others. Read More
HHS and USDA Issue Policy Guidance(1) on Immigration Status and Social Security Number Inquiries During Benefit Application Process
On September 21, 2000, the United States Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) issued an important Policy Guidance ("the Guidance") to state officials. The Guidance clarifies the proper scope of the inquiry into the immigration status and Social Security numbers of household members when an application for benefits under various federal means-tested benefit programs is made. The specific programs that are the focus of the Guidance include Medicaid, the State Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and the Food Stamp Program. Read More
