State of California Urges Immigrants to Seek Public Benefits During COVID-19 Pandemic

Some immigrants worry that the public charge rule stops them from receiving government benefits or that using those benefits will hurt their ability to get a green card.

The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has said that using health care services for COVID-19 prevention, testing or treatment alone does not make you a public charge.

Medi-Cal care for COVID-19 related testing or treatment does NOT count under the public charge rule because it is the treatment of an emergency medical condition.

Go to https://tinyurl.com/immguide for a complete guide from the State on COVID resources for immigrants.

Local Organizations Providing Services for Immigrants

East Bay Community Law Center
(510) 548-4040
 www.ebclc.org
Services: Consultation/intake, education outreach 

Multicultural Institute
(510) 847-1479
www.mionline.org
Services: Education Outreach

Immigration Institute of the Bay Area
(415) 538-8100 ext. 206
www.iibayarea.org
Services: Consultation/intake, education outreach

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
(510) 540-5296
www.eastbaysanctuary.org
Services: Education outreach

Catholic Charities of California
(415) 324-1011
www.cceb.org
Services: California Disaster Relief Funds

Resources for Undocumented Residents During the Pandemic

Immigrants Rising is committed to serving undocumented communities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They put together this list of resources to help undocumented immigrants navigate the crisis.

East Oakland Dreamers has developed a comprehensive list of COVID-19 resources and policy updates that is migrant-focused.

The California State government and Listos California have developed a COVID-19 Immigrant Guide for documented and undocumented immigrants.