“The California Health and Human Services Agency, along with its Departments and Offices, opposes any changes to the federal public charge policy that would restrict access to vital social programs or that would require families across California to make an impossible choice between taking public assistance to meet their basic needs and their ability to stay together. We are committed to building a California that is inclusive of all our neighbors.
To those immigrant families in California accessing critical social programs and services, please remember that the changes to the federal policy will not take effect until mid-October 2019. We are analyzing the changes and will issue further guidance. In the meantime, please contact an immigration attorney to determine if the changes would apply to you. The final rule would not apply to all immigrants or all government programs. You can find a list of nonprofit organizations providing free legal immigration services on the California Department of Social Services website, here.
To those providers across California administering health and social services programs, this is the time for us all to come together and ensure that our doors are open even wider so that all eligible Californians have access to basic services. Together we must work with local communities, as well as our public, private, faith, and educational partners to make California a healthy, vibrant, inclusive place to live, play, work, and learn.”
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