Washington Public Assistance for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence

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

• 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 women’s medical—all low-income children and pregnant women 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 Women’s Assistance (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 for persons up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level

• 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

• 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 women’s medical assistance—available to all low-income children and pregnant women

• State Family Assistance (SFA)—cash assistance

• Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD) cash assistance for persons who have a disability or are over 65

• Pregnant Women’s Assistance (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 www.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. If you go online, be sure to go to www.wahealthplanfinder.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 she calls 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 fathers of children who apply for assistance to make sure the fathers 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 father may try to find you and hurt you, tell DSHS not to collect child support for this reason.  If your husband has been violent or threatened violence in the past, ask DSHS to keep your address confidential (secret from your husband).

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 he 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.

• Outside King County, call the CLEAR Hotline at 1-888-201-1014 weekdays between 9:15 am - 12:15 pm. 

• In King County, call 2-1-1 weekdays between 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. They will refer you to a legal aid provider.

• Seniors (age 60 and over) can call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111 (statewide).

• You can also apply online with CLEAR*Online: nwjustice.org/get-legal-help.

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

• Washington Public Assistance for Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants

•  Washington Public Assistance for “Lawfully Present” Residents

• Washington Public Assistance for Victims of Trafficking

• Apple Health for Kids Program