U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of State started implementing their new public charge rules just before they shut down most adjustment and immigrant visa application processing. Since then, the government has been mailing out stimulus checks, and unemployment claims have soared. When these agencies reopen and restart adjudicating, our clients may be even more vulnerable to public charge findings. Many are now asking whether they should cash the stimulus checks, file for unemployment, or apply for other benefit programs for themselves or family members. This webinar summarized noncitizen eligibility for the eight designated federal programs, as well as the new COVID-19 relief benefits. It also discussed the public charge implications and steps to start taking now.

Guest Speaker: Tanya Broder, Senior Staff Attorney, National Immigration Law Center