WAC 388-424-0010 Citizenship and alien status - Eligibility restrictions for the temporary assistance for needy families program and medical benefits, including non-emergency Medicaid and the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

1. To receive TANF or medical benefits you must meet all other eligibility requirements and be one of the following as defined in WAC 388-424-0001 :

   1. A U.S. citizen; 

   2. A U.S. national;

   3. An American Indian born outside the U.S.;

   4. A “qualified alien”;

   5. A victim of trafficking;

   6. A Hmong or Highland Lao; or

   7. An Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrant who was granted Special Immigrant status under section 101(a)(27) of the INA. Iraqi Special Immigrants are eligible for eight months of federally‑funded assistance from the date of entry into theUnited States . Afghan Special Immigrants are eligible for six months of federally‑funded assistance from the date of entry into the United States.

2. A “qualified alien” who first physically entered the U.S. before August 22, 1996 as described in WAC 388-424-0006 (1) may receive TANF, non-emergency Medicaid, and SCHIP benefits.

3. A “qualified alien” who first physically entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996 cannot receive TANF, non-emergency Medicaid, or SCHIP for five years after obtaining status as a qualified alien, unless he or she is an alien as described under WAC 388-424-0006 (4).

4. An alien who is ineligible for TANF, non-emergency Medicaid, or SCHIP because of the five-year bar or because of their immigration status may be eligible for:

   1. Emergency benefits as described in WAC 388-436-0015 (consolidated emergency assistance program) and WAC 388-438-0110 (alien emergency medical program); or

   2. State-funded cash or chemical dependency benefits as described in WAC 388-424-0015 (SFA, GA, and ADATSA) and medical benefits as described in WAC 388-424-0016 ; or

   3. Pregnancy medical benefits as described in WAC 388-462-0015 ; or

   4. Children’s health program as described in WAC 388-505-0210.