Nov. 20, 2025
At this time, using the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) for your health care does not count against you under current federal public charge rules. You can keep receiving the OHP-covered care you qualify for.
If federal rules change in a way that would update our guidance, we will update this page and provide more information as soon as it becomes available.
What Is Public Charge?
Immigration officials use the term “public charge" or "public charge test." The public charge test is used to decide whether a person can enter the United States (U.S.) or qualify for U.S. lawful permanent resident status (receive a green card).
Under the 2022 rule, immigration officials would consider a noncitizen a “public charge" if they are likely to rely on the government for things like:
- Cash assistance, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other state, Tribal, territorial or local cash assistance programs (often called “General Assistance" programs).
- Long-term care the government pays for people living in institutions, such as nursing homes or mental health facilities.
The public charge test looks at all the person's circumstances, not just one thing.
Noncitizens can safely get public health, nutrition, housing benefits and Medicaid (other than for long-term institutionalization). This includes COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccines covered by the Oregon Health Plan. These benefits are not part of the public charge test.
For more information, please refer to the resources below and
visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service's (USCIS) Public Charge Resources page.
Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Individuals concerned about how public benefits might affect their immigration status should ask an immigration attorney for help.
This test is based on the person's:
- “Age; health; family status; assets, resources, and financial status; and education and skills," as required by federal immigration law;
- Completed Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), filed on the person's behalf when required by federal immigration law;
- Past or current receipt of cash assistance and government-paid long-term institutional care.
This test does not consider:
- Benefits received by the person's family members.
- Non-cash benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicaid (other than for long-term care in an institution), housing benefits, vaccines and testing for communicable diseases, or other supplemental or special purpose benefits.
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