Benefits Maps, Charts and Statutes

• Interactive Public Benefits Map http://map.niwap.org/

• All State Public Benefits Charts http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/all-state-public-benefits-charts
• A Guide to Public Benefits Map for Immigrant Survivors of Crime http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/benefits-map-guide 
• Programs Open to Immigrant Victims and All Immigrants Without Regard to Immigration Status https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/programs-open-to-all-immigrants
• State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (April 12, 2021) (2585) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/state-benefits-comparison-chart

• Annotated Statutes Related to Public Benefits Eligibility for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and Human Trafficking (12562) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/annotated-qualified-immigrant-statutes-survivors
• Privacy Protections for Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/limits-on-required-government-agency-reporting#
• Public Benefits Flow Charts: VAWA Self-Petition and Cancellation, U-Visas, T-Visas and SIJS (192)
  http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/public-benefits-flow-charts/
• Flow Chart Public Charge Test and Housing Benefits https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/flow-chart-public-charge-test-housing-benefits-2 

Benefits for Trafficking Victims

• Office on Trafficking in Persons Child Certification Handout https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/child_eligibility_handout
• HHS Administration for Children and Families Trafficking Victim Adult Certification Handout (12557)  https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/adult_certification_handout
• HHS Administration for Children and Families Trafficking Victim Child Certification Handout https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/child_eligibility_handout-hhs

Benefits Manual Chapters, Toolkits and Bench Cards

• Anti-Discrimination Provisions that Apply to Programs Receiving Federal Funding Serving Victims of Violence against Women Crimes (100) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pb-tool-antidiscrimlaws/
• Annotated Violence Against Women Act Self-Petitioner Definition INA 101(a)(51) (12517) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/vawa-self-petitioner-annotated-ina-101a51
• Chapter 16.1 Appendix: HHS Funded Programs Open to All Immigrants (12476) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/hhs-funded-programs-immigrants/
• Chapter 16: Access To Programs And Services That Can Help Victims of Sexual Assault (351) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch16-programaccessforsexassaultdvvictims/
• Chapter 04.1: Access to Programs and Services that Can Help Battered Immigrants (347) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch4-1-access-to-services-helpbatteredimm/
• Chapter 04.2: Public Benefits Access for Battered Immigrant Women and Children (348) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch4-2-public-bens-access-battered-immigrants/
• Chapter 4.3 Barriers to Accessing Services: The Importance of Advocates Accompanying Battered Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits (357) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch4-3-importance-advocates/
• Public Benefits Toolkit (437) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pb-tkit-publicbenefits/

Federal Government Guidance on Immigrant Access to Public Benefits

• HHS Domestic Violence Fact Sheet: Access to HHS-Funded Services for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence (August 22, 2012) (12561) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/hhs-immigrant-domestic-violence-fact-sheet
• Final Specification of Community Programs Necessary for Protection of Life or Safety Under Welfare Reform Legislation (January 16, 2001) (12560) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/protectionlifeorsafetyagreg
• Interim Guidance on Verification of Citizenship, Qualified Alien Status, and Eligibility Under Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (November 17, 1997) (2494) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/interim-guidance-verification (See, Exhibit B to Attachment 5—Aliens Who Have Been Battered Or Subjected To Extreme Cruelty Within The Meaning of Section 431 of The Act)
• Request for Comments on the Attorney General’s Specification of Community Programs Necessary for the Protection of Life or Safety Under the Welfare Reform Act (September 15, 1997)(12559) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/life-and-safety-progs-comments-request

Public Charge and Immigrant Victims

• DHS Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility – Final Rule (September 9, 2022) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-final-public-charge-rule-2022
• DHS Publishes Fair and Humane Public Charge Rule (September 8, 2022) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/dhs-alert-public-charge-rule-2022
• Public Charge Test for Benefits Flow Chart (440) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/flow-chart-public-charge-test-housing-benefits
• Infographic Public Charge Test for Housing Benefits (October 12, 2020) (408) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/infographic-public-charge-and-housing
• The Impact of Transitional Housing on Public Charge https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/the-impact-of-transitional-housing-on-public-charge
• The Impact of the 2020 Public Charge Rule on Transitional Housing (July 9, 2020) (2420) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/public-charge-and-transitional-housing
• Immigrant Crime Victims and Public Charge: Post-VAWA 2013 (August 19, 2019) (1689) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/public-charge-ground-of-inadmissibility-and-immigrant-crime-victims

Non-Work Social Security Numbers

• Obtaining Non-work Social Security Numbers Needed by VAWA Self-Petitioners to Maintain Public and Assisted Housing (736) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/non-work-ssns-vawa-self-petitioners
• Social Security Administration Program Operations Manual System (POMS) (July 2017) (452) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/non-work-ssns
• Request That SSA Issue A Non-Work SSN to a Benefits Eligible Immigrant (June 2014 – Washington State Sample) (443) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/sample-non-work-ssn-request-form
• Triagency Letter:  Citizenship Immigration Status and Social Security Numbers (457) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/triagency-letter-hhs-ag-citizenship-immigration-status-and-social-security-numbers/
• Evidence Checklists for Work with Immigrant Survivors – Includes Benefits and Non-Work Social Security Numbers (383) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/evidencechecklists/

• Obtaining Non-Work Social Security Numbers (422) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pb-tool-memononworkssns-11-17-00/

Legal Services Corporation Funded Assistance for Immigrant Victims

• Legal Services Access Open to All Immigrant Survivors Materials (updated December 2021) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/mats-legal-services
• Inclusive Legal Services and Language Access for Immigrant Crime Victims https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/inclusive-legal-services-immigrant-crime-victims
• Legal Services Access for All: Implementing the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 (1868) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/and-legal-services-for-all/

• Access to Publicly Funded Legal Services for Immigrant Survivors (188) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/lsc-tool-accesspubliclyfundedls/
• Legal Services Corporation Program Letter 14-3 (416) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/lsc-program-letter-14-3/

• Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Funded Legal Services Newsletter (June 2016) (415) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ovw-2016-06-lsc-newsletter

• Online seminar: “And Legal Services for All: New 2014 Legal Services Corporation Regulations Implementing VAWA 2005’s Immigrant Crime Survivors’ Access to Legal Services” (October 30, 2014) (490) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/november-3-2014-legal-services-new-2014-legal-services-corporation-regulations-implementing-vawa-2005s-immigrant-crime-survivors-access-legal-services-webinar
• Legal Services Corporation Immigrant Representation Regulations 45 C.F. R. 1626, April 18, 2014 (604) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/lsc-gov-ecfr1626restrictionslegalassistancetoaliens-8-18-14/
• Permissibility of Providing Legal Services to Noncitizen Parents and Noncitizen Guardians of Children Seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (513) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/lsc-non-citizen-parent-guardian-sijs-ao-2016-002/

Driver’s Licenses

• Driver’s License Documentation Requirements by State (330) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/drivers-license-access
• State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (April 12, 2021) (2585) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/state-benefits-comparison-chart 

Child Care

• Immigrant Crime Victim Child Care Access Chart (403) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pb-chart-childcare/
• Head Start Programs Memo (505) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pb-gov-hhsmemopolicyheadstartservices-05-02-08/

• *Clarification of Interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit” regarding Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Services (359) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/public-benefit-ccdf-services/

Education

• National Findings on University and College Responses to Foreign-Born Student Victims  (595) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/handout-on-national-findings-of-foreign-born-student-victims/
• Interim and Supportive Measures to Help and Protect Foreign Born Student Victims of Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Stalking and Sexual Harassment (April 2, 2018)(410) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/title-ix-foreign-students
• Foreign Born Student Victims of Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Harassment:  Special Needs of “M” Visa Holders (393) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/interim-measures-for-m-visa-holders/
• Foreign Born Student Victims of Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Harassment:  Special Needs of “J” Visa Holders (392) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/interim-measures-for-j-visa-holders
• Foreign Born Student Victims of Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Harassment:  Special Needs of “F” Visa Holders (391) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/interim-measures-for-f-visa-holders
• Student Aid Eligibility – Title IV Aid for “Battered Immigrants-Qualified Aliens” as provided for in VAWA- U.S. Department of Education Letter (798) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/student-aid-eligibility-titleiv/

• Eligibility for Title IV Aid for “Battered Immigrants-Qualified Aliens” as Provided For in the Violence Against Women Act, Department of Education Policy (376) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pb-gov-memovawapetitionsgrantsloans-6-4-10
• Federal Student Aid Handbook – Immigration Status Eligible Students (358) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/fed-student-aid-citizenship-chapter/
• Chapter 13: When Foreign Students or Their Family Members Are Sexually Assaulted: Immigration Implications of the Student and Exchange Visitor System (585) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch13-foreign-students-sexually-assaulted/

Health Care

• Healthcare Access for Immigrants who are NOT Eligible to Access the Healthcare Exchanges (394) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/healthcare-newsletter-april-2015

• Immigrants’ Access to Programs and Services Necessary to Protect Life and Safety and Post-Assault Health Care (405) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/imm-access-services-necessary/

• Pre-Natal Care for Immigrant Victims – All States (355) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch17-4-prenatal-care

• Post Assault Healthcare and Crime Victim Compensation for Immigrant Victims and Children– All States (354) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch17-3-postassault-healthcare-compensation

• Emergency Medicaid for Immigrant Victims – All States (352) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch17-1-emergencymedicaid

• Coverage for Forensic Costs for Immigrant Victims – All States (353) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch17-2-forensiccoverageimmvictims

• Chapter 17: Access to Health Care for Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault (356) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch17-accesshealthcare/

• Domestic Violence Factsheet: HHS (12561) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/domestic-violence-fact-sheet-_-hhs/

• State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (April 12, 2021) (2585) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/state-benefits-comparison-chart
• NILC:  Medical Assistance Programs for Immigrants in Various States (July 2021) (12564) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/med-services-for-imms-in-states-2021
• Eligibility Under the Affordable Care Act for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/victims-aca-healthcare-eligibility
• Trafficking Victim Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/trafficking-victims-aca
• U-Visa Victim Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/u-visa-healthcare-aca
• VAWA Self-Petitioner Victim Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/vawa-healthcare-aca

Housing

• List of Supporting Documents For Training- Housing Rights for Immigrant Survivors (September 23, 2021) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/housing-and-immigrant-survivors
• Safe Housing for Immigrant Survivors-Legal Resources https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/safe-housing-for-immigrant-survivors-legal-resources
• Safe Housing Partnerships: Federal Safe Housing Funding Resources – CARES Act (April 22, 2020) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/federal-safe-housing-funding-resources-cares-act
• Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition: Frequently Asked Question: Eligibility for Assistance Based on Immigration Status (May 5, 2020) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/cares-act-immigrant-eligibility-faq
• How to Buy a House in the U.S. as an Immigrant: https://www.moneygeek.com/mortgage/resources/immigrant-guide-to-purchasing-a-home/  
• Credit Building Strategies for Immigrants: https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/resources/building-credit-as-an-immigrant/
• Financial Support for Refugees: https://www.moneygeek.com/financial-planning/support-and-resources-for-refugees/

Housing – Shelter and Transitional Housing

• What Shelter and Rental Housing Assistance are Available to Immigrant Survivors During COVID-19? (September, 2021) (12563)  https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/faq-immigrant-survivors-housing-september-2021
• The Law: Immigrants are Legally Eligible for Transitional Housing (February 22, 2017) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/transitionalhousingbrochure
• NIWAP, Fact Sheet: Immigrant Access to Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing (Oct.23, 2016) (449)
• HUD-HHS-DOJ Letter Regarding Immigrant Access to Housing and Services (230) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/hud-hhs-doj-letter-regarding-immigrant-access-housing-services/
• HUD, SNAPS, The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 and HUD’s Homeless Assistance Programs (Aug. 16, 2016) (428) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/prwora-fact-sheet/
• Joint Agency Letter On Shelters and Transitional Housing (Web Page August 12, 2016) (412) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/joint-agency-letter-shelters-transitional-housing/

• NIWAP, Brochure for Transitional Housing (456) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/transitionalhousingbrochure/ http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/-housing-advocacy-steps

• VAWA Home: Rights for Survivors in LIHTC (The Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program) https://www.vawahome.com/

Housing – Public and Assisted

• Access to Public and Assisted Housing VAWA Self-Petitioners (October 2022) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/vawas-public-assisted-housing
• Emergency Housing Vouchers FAQ (September 21, 2022) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ehv-faq-v-5
• HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program Guidebook Eligibility  Determination  and Denial of Assistance (November 2019) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/hcv_guidebook_eligibility_determination_and_denial_of_assistance
• HUD, Memo for Secretary Julian Castro from Tonya Robinson, Acting  General Counsel re: Eligibility of Battered Noncitizen Self-Petitioners for Financial Assistance Under Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 (Dec. 15, 2016) (377) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/eligibility-of-vawa-self-petitioners-2016-12-15/
• Annotated Section 214 of the Housing Act: 42 U.S. Code § 1436a – Restriction on Use of Public and Assisted Housing By Immigrants (October 31, 2021) (12558) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/annotated-housing-section-214
• NHLP, Chart on Federally Assisted Housing and Immigrant Eligibility (Jan. 2018) (425) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/nhlp-federally-assisted-housing-and-immigrant-eligibility-jan-2018-1/
• I-130 Victim’s Proof of Battering or Extreme Cruelty (August 23, 2018) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/i-130-victims-extreme-cruelty
• NHLP, Memo: HUD Housing Covered by Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act (1849) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/nhlp-housing-covered-by-section-214-feb-2017/

• HUD, Notice PIH 2017-02 (HA), Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitioner Verification Procedures (Jan. 19, 2017) (791) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/hud-vawa-self-petitioner-verification-procedures/
• NIWAP, How to Advocate for Public and Assisted Housing for Your Battered Immigrant or Trafficking Survivor Client (Feb. 8, 2017) (398) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pub-asst-housing-advocacy/

• NIWAP & Legal Momentum, HUD Programs and Immigrant Eligibility, Chapter 16.2 (Feb. 8, 2017) (350) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch16-2-hud-programs-imm-eligibility/

Low-Income Home Energy and Weatherization Assistance Programs

• Low-Income Home Energy (LIHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Programs (WAP) (417) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/liheapwap_pp150-51_053006/
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Information Memorandum https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/liheap_im_2014_07_guidance_on_ssn_final_12122014

SNAP- Food Stamps

• State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (April 12, 2021) (2585) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/state-benefits-comparison-chart
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):  Guidance on Non-Citizen Eligibility (455) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/imms-snap/

• NILC: State-Funded Food Assistance Programs (April 2020) (12564) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/statefundedfoodprograms
• Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAP), The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 and HUD’s Homeless Assistance Programs (August 16, 2016) (428) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/prwora-fact-sheet

TANF

• State-Funded Public Benefits Comparison Chart (April 12, 2021) (2585) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/state-benefits-comparison-chart
• Domestic Violence Factsheet:  HHS http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/domestic-violence-fact-sheet-_-hhs/

• NILC: State-funded TANF Replacement Programs (April 2020) (454) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pb-chart-replacementprogramstanf/
• Eligibility for State Funded TANF Replacement Programs for Immigrant Crime Victims (375) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/pb-chart-tanf/

Medicaid

• Emergency Medicaid for Immigrant Victims – All States (352) http://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/ch17-1-emergencymedicaid

CARES ACT and COVID-19 Related Resources Accessible to Immigrant Victims

• Immigrant Crime Victim Access to Relief during the COVID-19 Crisis under the CARES and FFCRA Acts (May 20, 2020) (189) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/cares-act-unemployment-imm-victims-5-27-2020
• Healthcare Available to Immigrant Crime Victims During the COVID-19 Pandemic (395) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/healthcare-available-to-immigrant-crime-victims-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
• Resources to Support Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault During the COVID-19 Pandemic (743) https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/other-resources-covid-19
• Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition: Frequently Asked Question: Eligibility for Assistance Based on Immigration Status (May 5, 2020) (369)  https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/cares-act-immigrant-eligibility-faq
• Safe Housing Partnerships: Federal Safe Housing Funding Resources – CARES Act (April 22, 2020) (447)  https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/federal-safe-housing-funding-resources-cares-act
• Safe Housing for Immigrant Survivors: Legal Resources (744)  https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/safe-housing-for-immigrant-survivors-legal-resources
• Tenant Rights of Domestic Violence Survivors During COVID – 19 (National Housing Law Project) (734)   https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/pubs/nhlp-housing-dv-covid

^***If you have difficulty accessing this publication please contact for assistance NIWAP at (202) 274-4457 or info@niwap.org

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