The Truth About Undocumented Immigrants and Federal Government Benefits

Immigrants' eligibility for federal government benefits in the U.S. is complex and often misunderstood, especially following recent legislative changes. Undocumented immigrants generally do not qualify for federal healthcare, SNAP, or Social Security benefits, though they contribute significantly to tax revenues. New restrictions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) further limit access for many lawful immigrants starting in 2026.

• Undocumented immigrants and healthcare: They do not have access to federally funded healthcare programs like Medicaid, Medicare, or CHIP, nor can they purchase ACA Marketplace insurance. Emergency care is provided regardless of status, reimbursed to hospitals via Emergency Medicaid, but new OBBBA restrictions will reduce federal funding for these services starting October 2026.
• Medicaid restrictions for lawful immigrants: Beginning October 1, 2026, Medicaid eligibility is limited to green card holders, certain Cuban-Haitian entrants, and COFA citizens. Other previously eligible groups such as asylees, refugees, and some parolees will lose access under OBBBA.
• SNAP eligibility: Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SNAP benefits, but U.S. citizen children in mixed-status households may qualify. Lawful immigrants face a five-year waiting period post-green card before qualifying, with OBBBA further restricting eligibility to green card holders, Cuban-Haitian entrants, and COFA citizens, excluding other groups like refugees and parolees. Fear from public charge rules has led many eligible immigrants to avoid applying.
• Social Security contributions and benefits: Undocumented immigrants do not receive Social Security benefits despite contributing billions in taxes annually. The Social Security Administration acknowledges that unauthorized workers positively impact the program's financial status. Immigrants overall contribute significantly to federal taxes, supporting programs they often cannot access.

While undocumented immigrants paid $26.2 billion into the Social Security Trust Fund in 2023—just one part of the estimated $89.8 billion they paid that year in combined federal, state, and local taxes—most undocumented immigrants will never collect these benefits.