Description
When immigrant children, including unaccompanied immigrant youth, are survivors of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and other crimes and the children or their non-abusive parents begin the process of filing for protections under U.S. immigration laws, their ability to access publicly funded benefits and services expands. Best practices are employed when professionals serving immigrant children and families know how to quickly access legally correct information on which federal and state-funded public benefits and services immigrant children and their parents are legally eligible to receive.
This webinar will provide an overview of the full range of publicly funded benefits and services immigrant children and youth can access in their states, including healthcare, housing, education, income support, food stamps, and drivers’ licenses. Public benefits eligibility varies by state, by form of immigration case the child or their parent has filed, the child’s age, and the type of benefit the child is seeking. Some publicly funded benefits and services are open to all immigrants without regard to immigration status. Additionally, most immigrant children and crime victims are exempt from the public charge. Using Washington State as an example, attendees will learn how to use NIWAP’s online public benefits map and state-by-state charts to look up which benefits children the attendees serve are eligible to receive. The session will include a question-and-answer opportunity, and participants will receive a comprehensive list of training materials and tools to support their work with immigrant children and their families.
Immigration Options for Crime Victims
Family Court Bench Card on Immigrant Crime Victim Access to Public Benefits and Services
Know your rights
DHS Interactive Infographic on Protections for Immigrant Victims
Immigration Options for Victims of Crime -DHS Brochure
Blue Card: Screening Tool for Victims Who Qualify for Immigration Protective Relief (March 2, 2018)
Help Available From OTIP for Child Trafficking Victims
Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) Child Certification Handout
Public benefits and services are open to all persons without regard to immigration status
Programs Open to Immigrant Victims and All Immigrants Without Regard to Immigration Status
Legal Services Access Open to All Immigrant Survivors Materials (updated December 2021)
Public Benefits: Interactive Maps, State Charts, and Protections
Interactive Public Benefits Map
All State Public Benefits Charts
A Guide to Public Benefits Map for Immigrant Survivors of Crime
Family Court Bench Card on Immigrant Crime Victim Access to Public Benefits and Services
Chapter 04.1: Access to Programs and Services that Can Help Battered Immigrants
Chapter 04.2: Public Benefits Access for Battered Immigrant Women and Children
Public Charge
Public Charge Test for Benefits Flow Chart
Infographic Public Charge Test for Housing Benefits (October 12, 2020)
Immigrant Crime Victims and Public Charge: Post-VAWA 2013 (August 19, 2019)
State Public Benefits Comparisons and Best Practices
State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (July 7, 2022)
Benefits for Immigrant Crime Victims: Best Practices on Eligibility (November 14, 2024)
Child Protective Services Best Practices for Working With Children in Immigrant Families
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Cases
Training Materials List for Advocates and Attorneys
Training Materials for Victim Advocates and Attorneys (May 15, 2025)