Washington public assistance for immigrant victims of domestic violence

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This will tell you what benefits you may be eligible for if you are an immigrant and a victim of domestic violence. If you have a different immigration status, please read one of our other publications on this topic. #7924EN

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, if you are an immigrant and a victim of domestic violence. We explain what benefits you may be eligible to get.

You may be able to apply for a green card for yourself and your children under the "Violence against Women Act" (VAWA) if one of these is true:

  • You have been abused by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse.
  • You have been abused by a U.S. citizen or LPR parent, and you are under age 21.
  • Your child has been abused by a U.S. citizen or LPR parent.
  • You have been abused by a U.S. citizen or LPR child (who is over age 21).

You may be eligible to get other immigration relief even if you are not married or related to the person who abused you, or your abuser does not have legal status. 

If you have questions about this, call the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. They have different numbers depending on where in Washington you live:

  • In Western Washington, call 800-445-5771
  • In Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla Whitman & Yakima counties, call 888-756-3641
  • In Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane & Stevens counties, call 866-271-2084

Probably, if you have one of these:

  • An approved self-petition or notice of prima facie relief under the VAWA.
  • An approved I-130 visa petition filed by your abuser.
  • An approved application for suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal under the VAWA.

If you meet other requirements, you and your family members may be eligible to get:

  • Emergency Medicaid for treatment of some emergency conditions in a hospital setting, cancer treatment, and dialysis
  • Healthcare insurance through the new Apple Health expansion- Starting June 20, 2024, certain immigrants can apply for a special insurance called the Apple Health Expansion.  Undocumented immigrants can apply. Lawfully present non-qualified immigrants can only apply if they are not in an employment authorized immigrant category. Lawfully present qualified immigrants can't apply. There are other eligibility requirements you must meet to qualify for it. You should apply for these benefits as soon as possible because the program is limited. Visit Washington Health Care Authority (bit.ly/3VOuHeO) to learn more about this new expansion, find out if you qualify, and apply for benefits.
  • Qualified Health Plans, Qualified Dental Plans and Private Insurance through Healthplanfinder—the state health insurance exchange, plus subsidies and tax credits to help with out-of-pocket costs
  • Medical Care Services (MCS)—medical assistance for persons who have a disability or are over 65
  • Children's and pregnant person's medical—all low-income children and pregnant people are eligible
  • State Family Assistance (SFA)—cash assistance for families with dependent children
  • Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD)—cash assistance for people with disabilities or who are over 65
  • Pregnant Person Assistance (also known as Pregnant Women Assistance or "PWA")—cash assistance
  • The state-funded Food Assistance Program (food stamps)
  • Working Connections subsidized childcare (the state government helps pay for it)

You may also be eligible to get some federal benefits. You must wait 5 years after the government grants your immigration petition or application:

  • Non-emergency Medicaid if you have an income of 138% of the Federal Poverty Level or below.
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)—a federally funded cash program for families with dependent children
  • The federally funded Food Stamp program

Maybe. If you have not yet adjusted to lawful permanent resident ("green card") status, you and your family members may be eligible to get

  • Emergency Medicaid for treatment of some emergency conditions in a hospital setting, cancer treatment, and dialysis
  • Healthcare insurance through the new Apple Health expansion- Starting June 20, 2024, certain immigrants can apply for a special insurance called the Apple Health Expansion.  Lawfully present non-qualified immigrants like U Visa immigrants can apply because they are not in an employment authorized immigrant category. There are other eligibility requirements you must meet to qualify for it. You should apply for these benefits as soon as possible because the program is limited. Visit Washington Health Care Authority to learn more about this new expansion, find out if you qualify, and apply for benefits.
  • Insurance through Healthplanfinder—the state health insurance exchange, plus subsidies and tax credits to help with out-of-pocket costs
  • Medical Care Services (MCS) —medical assistance for persons who have a disability or are over 65
  • Children's and pregnant person's medical assistance—available to all low-income children and pregnant people
  • State Family Assistance (SFA)—cash assistance
  • Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD) cash assistance for persons who have a disability or are over 65
  • Pregnant Person Assistance (also known as Pregnant Women Assistance or PWA)—cash assistance
  • The state-funded Food Assistance Program (food stamps)

For cash and food assistance and for some medical programs, you apply at the DSHS office nearest you. For most medical programs, including insurance and subsidies, you can apply through Healthplanfinder online at wahealthplanfinder.org, by phone at 1-855-923-4633 (1-855-WAFINDER), or by asking for a paper application from Healthplanfinder or your local DSHS office. You can find a local DSHS office and learn more about applying for benefits at WashingtonConnection.org.

If you apply for benefits in person, take a copy of your immigration papers, if you have them. (This includes a copy of your receipt notice from USCIS.)  If you do not have immigration papers yet, you may still be eligible for some help.  If you do not have a social security number, leave that line blank, or put "not available."  DSHS must accept emergency applications at any time.  They may be able to help you soon with cash, medical coupons, and food stamps.

DSHS must give you an interpreter. DSHS must also translate its letters to you.  When you fill out an application, check the box that says that you have a hard time speaking, reading, or writing English.  DSHS should also get you an interpreter if you have to call your worker on the phone or if they call you back with a question.

When you apply for help, DSHS will ask if you need extra help, such as someone to help you fill out forms, or call you to explain your letters. If you do, say so.  Ask them to provide you Necessary Supplemental Accommodation (NSA). Read DSHS help for people with disabilities: Necessary Supplemental Accommodations (NSA) to learn more.

No.  DSHS usually asks for information about the parents of children who apply for assistance to make sure the parents pay child support for their children.  This can mean your children get more money than DSHS will otherwise provide. 

If you are afraid your child's parent may try to find you and hurt you, tell DSHS not to collect child support for this reason.  If your partner has been violent or threatened violence in the past, ask DSHS to keep your address confidential (secret from your partner).

No.  People who get their status through a self-petition or a grant of cancellation or suspension under the VAWA are not subject to the "public charge" ground of inadmissibility.  You can get your green card even if you have used public benefits.

This is also true if you have a U visa. You can get your green card even if you have used benefits.  

No. DSHS should not make you give information about your sponsor's income and resources if you are a domestic violence victim and your need for assistance stems from the domestic violence. DSHS may try to recover the assistance (get reimbursed for it) from your sponsor. They cannot turn you down for help because the abusive partner will not pay.

If you have questions about your eligibility for public assistance, or if DSHS has ended or denied your benefits, get legal advice.  Public assistance rules are complicated.  DSHS workers sometimes make mistakes because they do not know immigration law. A lawyer can help make sure you and your family get the benefits you need to stay safe and healthy.

If you have a different immigration status, read one of these: 

Get Legal Help

Visit Northwest Justice Project to find out how to get legal help. 

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Last Review and Update: Jun 25, 2024
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