This publication discusses why immigrant victims’ access to transitional housing and emergency shelter do not create issues with the public charge ground of inadmissibility. It discusses the definition of public charge, the types of programs and services that fall within the “public benefits” definition under the 2020 public charge rule and federal statutes, and how transitional housing does not fall within the definition of public benefits. It is crucial that victim advocates, attorneys, police, prosecutors, courts and other service providers working with immigrant victims are able to accurately identify who may be affected by the 2020 public charge rule and which public benefits are included in the 2020 regulation’s definition of public charge.