Public Charge Rule Effective As of October 15, 2019.

On October 10, 2019 USCIS has updated some of the immigration forms to reflect the new public charge ruling of August 14th. These forms include adjustment of status application (green card application), petition for nonimmigrant worker (H-1B, L-1 visas), application to extend/ change nonimmigrant status, and others. The new forms must be used on applications filed on or after October 15, 2019 and they include specific questions about use of public benefits.

Specifically the forms asks whether Beneficiary has received:
Any Federal, State, local or tribal cash assistance or income maintenance
Supplemental Social Security (SSI)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF)
General Assistance Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (Food stamp) Section 8 Housing Assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance
Public Housing under the Housing Act of 1937
Federally-Funded Medicaid

Furthermore, as of October 15th applicants of adjustment of status, Form I-485, will be required to fill out a separate and additional form, Form I-944 Declaration of Self-Sufficient, in addition to the required Affidavit of Support for some cases. In addition to inquiring about the public benefits listed above, this new form requires the Beneficiary to provide information on his/her current assets, liabilities as well as health insurance situation, and whether Beneficiary has or not health insurance.

There are exceptions to the Public Charge policy. For instance asylum seekers, T and U visa applicants, special juvenile and others are eligible to use public benefits without any immigration consequences. 

It is very important that applicants and petitioners be well advised during the process of applying for any of the above mentioned applications in order to avoid denials and damaging consequences.