Immigration status determines the scope of Medi-Cal benefits individuals can receive.
- UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN = Eligible for restricted-scope Medi-Cal until May 16, 2016 if income eligible. After that date they will be eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal.
- UNDOCUMENTED ADULTS = Eligible for restricted-scope Medi-Cal.
- Children under age 19 who are lawfully residing are eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal. Adult eligibility is more restrictive.
- Both children and adults are eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal if they are considered to be Permanently Residing Under Color of Law (PRUCOL). PRUCOL is a benefits eligibility classification for individuals that the Department of Homeland Security knows are in the United States without documentation, but does not intend to deport because of their status and/or personal characteristics. The DHCS Form MC-13 (see question 5) lists the statuses that qualify as PRUCOL, which includes Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
- Individuals who arrived in the United States before they were 16 years old and meet other requirements can apply for DACA. (See DACA and SB 75 for more information about DACA individuals).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Western Center on Law and Poverty’s guide has a section on immigration status and Medi-Cal eligibility on page 1.16