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Seeking Immigration benefits for yourself or a family member?

Medi-Cal is a Means Tested Benefit!

You may request a fee waiver if you are unable to pay the filing fees or biometric services fees for an application or petition that is eligible for a fee waiver. When you request a fee waiver, you must clearly demonstrate that you are unable to pay the fees.

See our "Fee Waiver" page for details.

What is Medi-cal?

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health care program. This is a public health insurance program which provides needed health care services for low-income individuals including families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, foster care, pregnant women, and low income people with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer, or HIV/AIDS.  Medi-Cal is financed equally by the state​ and federal government.​Medi-Cal is supported by federal and state taxes.

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Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that will allow all Californians with low incomes between the ages of 26 and 49 to enroll in Medi-Cal — the state’s Medicaid program — regardless of their immigration status. When this takes effect by January 2024, all Californians with low incomes will be eligible for Medi-Cal.

 

The governor and the state legislature have taken a vital step forward in improving Californians’ access to health care coverage. Not since California implemented the Affordable Care Act have we taken such bold action to make our health care system more just and equitable. This coverage expansion is grounded in the belief that all Californians benefit when everyone gets the care they need to keep themselves and their families healthy.

 

Under this new policy, close to 700,000 Californians will no longer be shut out of our health care system. These Californians are our family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, parents, and community members. As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, many work in essential and high-risk jobs and have contributed their labor and tax dollars to this state for years.

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I’m an immigrant. Can I get Medi-Cal?
It depends on your immigration status. Here’s what you need to know:

Most Immigrants Qualify for Health Coverage.

Under the Affordable Care Act, most immigrants qualify for health coverage, including the following groups:

* Lawful permanent residents or (“green card holders”).
* Lawful temporary residents.
* Persons fleeing persecution, including refugees and asylees.
* Other humanitarian immigrants, including those granted temporary protected status.
* Non-immigrant status holders (including worker visas and student visas).

 

All children 0-18 that are able to get Medi-Cal can get complete health care through Medi-Cal.

Their immigration status does not matter.

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Undocumented Immigrants’ Access to Medi-Cal
In California, undocumented children and young adults who are 25 years old or younger can get Medi-Cal coverage, if they meet all other program requirements.

However, undocumented adults who are 26 years old and older do not qualify for full Medi-Cal coverage, though they may qualify for Medi-Cal coverage for emergencies or during pregnancy.

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Medi-Cal Expansion to cover Undocumented Immigrants in California
Starting on May 1, 2022, California expanded full Medi-Cal coverage to individuals who are 50 years of age or older, regardless of immigration status.

The law will benefit about 235,000 Californians.

Individuals ages 50 and over, regardless of their immigration status, who have not applied for Medi-Cal can apply here starting May 1, 2022.