She doesn't have any income, my husband and I are providing her with room and board, but we also have very low income. My mother is a senior, so she needs medical help and regular check-ups. We can not afford to buy her private health insurance. Can my mother apply for Medicaid, does she have a right to do it? If not - what are her options?
- immediately qualify for food stamps
- immediately qualify for Medicaid
- if over 65, get up to $ 733 a month in SSI
They can also get priority in subsidized housing lists and a move-in allotment (this one varies by state & by county, like Miami-Dade waives any utility deposits). SSI amount is NOT dependent on the income of whomever they are staying with either. Cubans can get these for 7 years after arrival without needing to apply for US citizenship. If they do eventually apply for citizenship, the benefits seem to run till forever if they reside in the US. You can go back & forth to the island too as the Cuban pension will be below any income or asset test in the US.
Cubans are special status refugees.
For others, you have to become a citizen to get SSI which is about a 5 year process.
https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/lawfully-present-immigrants/
IF YOUR MOTHER NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENSION BRING HER HOME TO HER HOME LAND, AS WITHOUT MEDICAL INSURANCE IN THE USA IT WILL BREAK YOU, MENTALLY AND FINANCIALLY.
NIL AOIN TINTEAN MAR DO THINTEAN FEIN.
I am older than your Mom and I am still employed, and my boss is even older than I am. As TooYoungForThis above had pointed out, see if your Mom can find job [even part-time] which she can use for health care and to help you with room/board.
Why do illegal immigrants think they can get medical coverage because they've stepped foot into this country?
Your mother is only 68 & has a green card---she can still work. She can get a job & pay the doctors when she visits them. Just because she is a "senior" doesn't mean she can't get a job. Plenty of 68 year old people in this country are still working their behinds off.
Also, some ethinic groups might have assistance to offer. After the USSR broke up, I met a woman in one of my classes who had been supported for refuge and emigration from the USSR, brought here by that organization, assisted with housing and finding a job.
My best friends in-laws came to visit on a Visa and stayed a year. They finally found a good plan with Kaiser.