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COVID-19 Assistance and Public Charge FAQ for Immigrants

**UPDATED April 9, 2020, 5:29 AM**

Versión en español de esta página aquí.

此頁面的繁體中文版。

Phiên bản tiếng Việt của trang này.

이 페이지의 한국어 버전.

Nooca af-soomaaliga ah ee boggan.

የአማርኛ ቋንቋ ገጽ እዚህ አለ።

The information on this page does not, and is not intended to, constitute as legal advice. Instead, all content below is provided for general informational purposes only.

Image of a Coronavirus

This is a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) information guide for immigrants who want to know more about how the issue of public charge might affect their ability to access healthcare and other services during this COVID-19 outbreak. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs will continue updating this site as developments occur.

Special thanks to El Comite and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project for their help compiling this information.


Jump to a question:

  1. I suspect I have a COVID-19 infection, what should I do?
  2. Do hospitals and clinics share citizenship or immigration status information with ICE?
  3. Will getting tested for COVID-19 or accessing charity care or discounted care at a hospital or clinic threaten my ability to apply for a green card or citizenship under the new public charge rules?
  4. What local community clinics or hospitals have charity or discounted care that I can go to?
  5. I am undocumented and have been financially affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. What programs and services can I apply for and access without showing my documentation?
  6. I just became unemployed because of the outbreak. Do I qualify for unemployment insurance?
  7. Will receiving an unemployment benefit threaten my ability to apply for a green card or citizenship under the new public charge rules?
  8. I am missing work because I am sick, or because a family member is sick or needs to go to the doctor. Do I qualify for Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST)?
  9. I am missing work because I am sick or I am caring for someone who is sick. Do I qualify for Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave?
  10. What if I am in danger of being laid off or I have to quit because myself or a loved one is sick?
  11. I am a small business owner experiencing a decrease in business because of the outbreak. Do I qualify for financial assistance?
  12. Will applying for a City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Grant or federal Small Business Administration Disaster Loan threaten my ability to apply for a green card or citizenship under the new public charge rules?
  13. Resources for more information:

 

1. I suspect I have a COVID-19 infection, what should I do?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or questions, you can call:

  • King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center, (206) 477-3977. This helpline is open from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. every day.
  • Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center, (800) 525-0127 and press #. This helpline is open from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. every day.

The operators are able to connect with a third-party interpreter.
Los operadores pueden comunicarle con un intérprete externo.
接線生可以聯繫口譯員。
Nhân viên tổng đài có thể kết nối quý vị với người thông dịch.
ኦፕሬተሮቹ ከሶስተኛ ወገን አስተርጓሚ ጋር ማገናኘት ይችላሉ።
Hawl wadeenaha ka hawlgala khadka cawinta waxay awoodaan inay kugu xiriiriyaan turjubaan.

Visit Public Health – Seattle & King County for more information.

 

2. Do hospitals and clinics share citizenship or immigration status information with ICE?

No. The federal law known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) generally prohibits the use or disclosure of patient information without the patient’s consent. Additionally, health care providers are not legally required to report to federal immigration authorities about a patient’s immigration status.

 

3. Will getting tested for COVID-19 or accessing charity care or discounted care at a hospital or clinic threaten my ability to apply for a green card or citizenship under the new public charge rules?

No. Getting tested for COVID-19 and accessing charity or discounted medical care will not affect your ability to apply for a green card or citizenship. Local healthcare discounted care programs are not listed as a public benefit under the current public charge rule. To make this even clearer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued this statement clarifying that “treatment or preventive services” related to the COVID-19 outbreak will not be considered for public charge purposes.

The public charge rule only considers the use of the following types of public assistance in its analysis:

  • Means-tested cash benefits like SSI (Supplemental Security Income), TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), and state means-tested cash benefits like GAU (General Assistance Unemployable).
  • Government-sponsored long-term institutional care (like a nursing home or mental health facility usually covered by Medicaid).
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called “Food Stamps.”
  • Subsidized Housing such as: a) federal rental housing assistance, b) Section 8 housing vouchers, c) housing funded by Project-based Section 8.

For more information about public charge, visit: seattle.gov/OIRA/publiccharge.

 

4. What local community clinics or hospitals have charity or discounted care that I can go to?

On March 5, the Washington State Insurance Commissioner announced that they now require insurers to waive co-pays and deductibles for testing for COVID-19.

Also, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is now allowing undocumented adults to apply for Alien Emergency Medical (AEM) if they need COVID-19 testing. Individuals can apply online at www.washingtonconnection.org or by completing the Application for Long-Term Care/Aged, Blind, Disabled Coverage (HCA 18-005). This application can be downloaded from the Health Care Authority website here. If you have questions, you can call the HCA at 1-800-562-3022 and ask for an interpreter.

The Washington Healthcare Access Alliance has this list of free and charitable clinics in Washington state, organized by county: wahealthcareaccessalliance.org/free-clinics.

The clinics below serve the Seattle area and have discounted care programs.

  • Lahai Health (formerly Puget Sound Christian Clinic)
    lahai.org
    (206) 363-4105

 

5. I am undocumented and have been financially affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. What programs and services can I apply for and access without showing my documentation?

  • Residential evictions for non-payment of rent are temporarily halted in the city of Seattle. This is effective immediately and will last for 30 days or until Seattle’s COVID-19 Civil Emergency ends. 
  • Utilities will not be shut off during this outbreak. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), Seattle City Light (SCL), and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) will keep utility services on during the COVID-19 Civil Emergency in Seattle. SPU and SCL customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19, regardless of background or immigration status, can request a deferred payment plan that includes reversed late fees. SPU and SCL recommends that customers should as soon as possible call (206) 684-3000 or send an email anytime at seattle.gov/utilities/about-us/email-question. PSE is waiving late fees for customers who can find more information at PSE’s COVID-19 Response page.
  • The City of Seattle has launched this COVID-19: Resources for Community page that is updated daily. It features information and links for City of Seattle programs and services that may be helpful for residents significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these community resources do not require citizenship or immigration status information. Please visit: seattle.gov/covid-19 or call (206) 684-2489 or (206) 684-CITY for more information. Interpretation is available. The helpline is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
  • The Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation, which was founded and is led by three undocumented women of color is updating this spreadsheet: COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Communities, which contains both national and local resources.

 

6. I just became unemployed because of the outbreak. Do I qualify for unemployment insurance?

It depends. The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) administers programs designed to help workers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, including unemployment benefits. You do need a valid social security number to apply.

ESD also has an easy-to-read comparison guide listing some of the most common scenarios that may occur and benefits that may apply. More information for workers and businesses here: esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19

 

7. Will receiving an unemployment benefit threaten my ability to apply for a green card or citizenship under the new public charge rules?

No. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has specifically stated that unemployment insurance benefits paid to an immigrant worker are not considered in the public charge determination. Washington state administers the unemployment benefit insurance program, which is funded primarily through local sources.

More information for workers here: esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19

 

8. I am missing work because I am sick or because a family member is sick or needs to go to the doctor. Do I qualify for Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST)?

It depends. Both Seattle and Washington State’s paid sick and safe leave laws require employers to provide paid time off to care for their own or a family member’s illness or health condition or when their place of business, child’s school, or child’s place of care has been closed due to a health-related reason, like COVID-19.   

Seattle’s PSST law applies to all employees working in Seattle, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) oversees this law. Per City of Seattle policy, OLS investigates complaints without regard to an individual’s immigration status. To its ability under the law, OLS protects the name and identifying information of a complaining individual from public disclosure. OLS provides free language interpretation. Click here to file a complaint online and to learn more about OLS worker resources. For more information on the Seattle PSST Ordinance, please call the Seattle Office of Labor Standards at (206) 256-5297, or visit Office of Labor Standards PSST page here.

Washington state’s PSST law applies to hourly employees working in the state, regardless of immigration status. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries oversees this law. For more information, visit lni.wa.gov.

 

9. I am missing work because I am sick, or I am caring for someone who is sick. Do I qualify for Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave?

It depends. Workers who give birth to, or foster or adopt a child, or who need time off to take care of themselves or someone else are able to apply for Washington state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits. The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) oversees this law. You are not required to provide a valid social security number to apply. However, you will also likely not receive financial aid right away.

A healthcare provider must certify that you are unable to work due to a “serious health condition.” Quarantine is not a qualifying event under this program. But, if someone is sick with COVID-19 and can get medical certification, they can apply for the program. If you or your family member is not able to go into the doctor, the Employment Security Department will accept an electronic medical certification from your healthcare provider. The City of Seattle is currently working to determine if ESD will accept a positive COVID-19 test result without certification from a healthcare provider. Please check back here for updates.

ESD has also prepared two COVID-19 Worker FAQs: this one is an easy-to-read comparison guide listing some of the most common scenarios that may occur and benefits that may apply.  This one is in a more traditional FAQ format. More information for workers is here: paidleave.wa.gov.

Also, employees working in Seattle can use their accrued paid sick and safe time (PSST) to care for a personal or family member’s illness. Family members are children of any age, spouse including registered domestic partners, parents and parents-in-law, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. (See the previous question.)

 

10. What if I am in danger of being laid off or I have to quit because myself or a loved one is sick?

You can request “standby” from your employer and you may be eligible for temporary unemployment benefits. “Standby” is a term that means you are temporarily unemployed because of a lack of work, but you expect to return to work with your regular employer within four weeks or you expect to begin full-time work with a new employer within two weeks or you are temporarily unemployed due to natural disaster. The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) administers programs designed to help workers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, including unemployment benefits. You do need a valid social security number to apply.

An ESD case manager determines eligibility: esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19.

 

11. I am a small business owner experiencing a decrease in business because of the outbreak. Do I qualify for financial assistance?

  • Effective immediately, the City of Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) will defer business and occupation (B&O) tax collections for businesses that have annual taxable incomes of $5 million or less and that pay city taxes quarterly. This will allow small business owners increased flexibility during a period of financial duress caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. This is available to all small business owners regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. If you have questions, please call (206) 684-8484 or email: tax@seattle.gov.
  • Funding is available for the City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Fund, an emergency fund that provides working capital grants in amounts up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses. This is available to all small business owners regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Eligibility criteria and how to apply is here.
  • The Washington State Employment Security Department has programs designed to help individuals and employers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. They have an easy-to-read comparison guide listing some of the most common scenarios that may occur and benefits that may apply. More information for workers and businesses here: esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19.
  • The City of Seattle has launched this COVID-19: Resources for Community page. It features a section for Small Business/Nonprofit Support that is updated daily. Many of these community resources do not require citizenship or immigration status information. Please visit: seattle.gov/covid-19 Please visit: seattle.gov/covid-19 or call (206) 684-2489 or (206) 684-CITY for more information. Interpretation is available. The helpline is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
  • More assistance is likely forthcoming. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has established the Small Business Recovery Task Force, which will advise on long-term policy recommendations and provide technical assistance and outreach for small businesses impacted by this outbreak.

 

12. Will applying for a City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Grant or federal Small Business Administration Disaster Loan threaten my ability to apply for a green card or citizenship under the new public charge rules?

No. Applying and being approved for a City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Grant or federal Small Business Administration Disaster Loan will not affect your ability to apply for a green card or citizenship. The Seattle Small Business Stabilization Grant is a local city-level grant. And local programs are not listed as a public benefit under the current public charge rule. The federal Small Business Administration Disaster Loan is considered disaster relief. These disaster relief programs are excluded from the public charge rule. Please see Question 3 for the list of public benefit programs included under the new public charge policy.

 

13. Resources for more information:

  • The City of Seattle has launched this COVID-19: Resources for Community page that is updated daily. It features information and links for City of Seattle programs and services that may be helpful for residents significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these community resources do not require citizenship or immigration status information.
    http://www.seattle.gov/covid-19

Please email Joaquin Uy at joaquin.uy@seattle.gov for further questions.