Temporary Policy Change Makes More Afghan Evacuees Eligible for Medicaid
Due to a recent federal policy change, adult Afghan evacuees who enter the U.S. with Humanitarian Parole status no longer have to meet the 5-year residency requirement (sometimes called the “5-year bar”) to be eligible for Medicaid:
- Afghan Humanitarian Parolees paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021 - September 30, 2022, may be eligible for Medicaid/FAMIS, and most other benefits available to refugees, until March 31, 2023, or the end of their parole term, whichever is later.
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Spouses and children of these individuals may also be eligible for Medicaid/FAMIS, and other public benefits, even if they are paroled into the U.S after September 30, 2022.
Adults with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), or Special Immigrant Parolee (SIP) status, were already not subject to the 5-year bar. These individuals, children with any lawful immigration status, and pregnant women with or without a lawful immigration status, may be eligible for Medicaid/FAMIS right away. They should be encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Registration Open for SignUpNow Virtual Trainings
Interested in helping Afghan evacuees, or other Virginians, apply for Medicaid/FAMIS?
Register now to attend a SignUpNow virtual training workshop!
SignUpNow workshops include information on the NEW eligibility for Afghan evacuees, and NEW FAMIS Prenatal Coverage (for undocumented pregnant women), as well as the “ins and outs” of the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and post-enrollment information for Virginia’s Medicaid/FAMIS programs.
Space is still available for the following workshop dates:
- October 19
- November 10
- November 16
- December 8
- December 14
