Tips and Entitlements for Immigrants
Please note: The City of New York Executive Order No. 41, September 17, 2003: A City Agency generally cannot reveal confidential information about an individual, including immigration status, without the individual's express authorization.
Tips for Immigrant Families
- Undocumented parents can safely access benefits for citizen children.
- Accessing food stamps, health insurance, WIC, and public housing will not affect immigration status.
- All families with children under five and below 185 percent Federal Poverty Level are eligible for WIC, regardless of immigration status.
- Undocumented immigrant families should NOT disclose their immigration status, visa, or passport information to any state or federal agency.
- Undocumented immigrant families should NOT use false names or Social Security numbers when completing birth certificates or other official documents.
- Immigrant families should not be afraid to report a landlord to inspectional services or take a landlord to court to fix substandard housing conditions.
For a complete explanation on eligibility of non-citizens in New York State for certain federal and state public benefits, go to:
http://www.empirejustice.org/assets/pdf/issue-areas/immigrant-rights/immigrant-eligibility-chart.pdf
To see Non-Citizen Eligibility for Government Benefits in New York State, please click on a category below.