Month: October 2018

On October 10, 2018, the federal government published a PROPOSED public charge rule that expands the definition of ‘public charge’.  The new rule is currently NOT in effect.  To learn more about the proposed public charge rule, click here for the What You Need to Know flyer.  A Public Charge 101 resource is also available.

Facts for families:

• A new PROPOSED public charge rule was published by the federal government on October 10, 2018 that expands the definition of ‘public charge’. The new rule is currently NOT in effect. A 60-day comment period is open until December 10, 2018, which allows everyone to comment before the government finalizes this rule.
• WIC is NOT included in the proposed new rule. This means that the proposed rule does NOT include WIC in the expanded public charge test.
• Some new public benefits that could be included as part of the public charge test include most Medi-Cal (Medicaid) programs, CalFresh (SNAP), and housing subsidies, among others.
• The proposed rule is NOT retroactive. That means the only benefits that will be considered are those that you receive AFTER the rule goes into effect.
• The proposed rule states that benefits received by U.S. citizen children will NOT directly affect their parent’s public charge determination.  Please seek legal advice if you have questions, as each case is different.
• Not all immigrants are affected by the proposed public charge rule change.  Some groups that are exempt from the public charge test include green card holders applying for citizenship, refugees, asylees, survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or other serious crimes, and several other groups.
• Every immigration case is unique and families should talk to legal experts.

Please seek legal advice for your family, as each case is unique. Legal resources for Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Orange County residents are available HERE.

A 60-day comment period is open until December 10, 2018, which allows everyone to comment before the government finalizes this rule. The federal government is specifically asking the public for comment on this proposed rule, and we encourage everyone to do so HERE.

For more information on the proposed rule and instructions for sending comments, visit:
www.ProtectingImmigrantFamilies.org
www.frac.org/PublicCharge
www.nwica.org/Immigration-Resources

CalFresh is a monthly benefit that assists with adding food dollars to your budget and spending less money out of pocket.

If you find it hard to afford healthy and nutritious foods for you and your family, the CalFresh Program may be able to help you.

Apply in less than 10 minutes to see if you qualify at GetCalFresh.org!

Shop at your local Farmers’ Market (FM) today with your WIC Farmers’ Market (FM) checks.  Remember, FM checks expire November 30, 2018.

Click here to search for a list of WIC-authorized Farmers’ Markets near you.

Here are some things to remember when shopping with your WIC FM checks.

What you CAN buy with your FM checks:
Fruits
Vegetables
Cut edible herbs

(Organic is allowed)

What you CANNOT buy with your FM checks:
Honey
Eggs
Nuts
Flowers
Baked Goods
Dried Fruits
Plants
Meat / Fish

You can also view this information, by clicking on the Farmers’ Market app here.

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Did you know Market Match doubles your money for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for families receiving WIC, CalFresh, and SSI?  Click here to view how it works.

Take advantage of Market Match at participating FM for your upcoming holiday meals!