Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Public Health Insurance

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION  HAS ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many  countries, but there are some court injunctions extending TPS.  See the USCIS website to see updates for particular countries and some information below.   Also see this  chart which is frequently updated -- 

What is Temporary Protected Status?

TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to eligible individuals of a certain country designated by the Department of Homeland Security because serious temporary conditions in that country, such as armed conflict or environmental disaster, prevents people from that country to return safely. It is important to note that the U.S. grants TPS to individuals from many countries, but the Trump administration is ending TPS for many countries.   See below about TPS and eligiblity for public health insurance in NYS. 
Check for updates on the rapidly changing court cases challenging termination of TPS  here and on the  CLINIC’s TPS resource page.
 

COUNTRIES WITH TPS ENDING IN EARLY 2026 - NO COURT INJUNCTIONS YET 

COUNTRIES WITH TPS CONTINUING BECAUSE OF A COURT INJUNCTION - AFTER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ENDED TPS:

COUNTRIES WITH CURRENT ACTIVE TPS DESIGNATIONS or other Protections

TPS and Public Health Insurance
TPS applicants residing in New York are eligible for Medicaid  as long as they also meet the income requirements for these programs. In New York, applicants for TPS are considered PRUCOL immigrants (Permanently Residing Under Color of Law) for purposes of medical assistance eligibility and thus meet the immigration status requirements for Medicaid and the Family Planning Benefit Program. Nearly all children in New York remain eligible for Child Health Plus including TPS applicants and children who lack immigration status.  For more information on immigrant eligibility for public health insurance in New York see
Where to Apply
Individuals who are under age 65 and who do not have Medicare may apply for public health insurance on the NYStateofHealth Marketplace or with facilitated enrollers at community-based organizations or health plans, at HRA Medicaid offices in New York City, Social Services offices outside of New York City, public hospitals, and Department of Health Clinics. Also contact Community Health Advocates for assistance or local referrals. For a list of enrollers go to: http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/ldss.htm. 
Those age 65 or who have Medicare based on disability can apply  with the Facilitated Enrollment for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Program (FE-ABD).
 
What to Bring
Individuals who have applied for TPS will need to bring or upload several documents to prove their eligibility for public health insurance. Individuals will need to bring or have available to upload
1)      Proof of identity;
2)      Proof of residence in New York;
3)      Proof of income;
4)      Proof of application for TPS;
5)      Proof that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received the application for TPS.
 
Free Communication Assistance
All applicants for public health insurance, including Haitian Creole speakers, have a right to get help in a language they can understand. All Medicaid offices and enrollers are required to offer free translation and interpretation services to anyone who cannot communicate effectively in English. A bilingual worker or an interpreter, whether in-person or over the telephone, must be provided in all interactions with the office. Important documents, such as Medicaid applications, should be translated either orally or in writing. Interpreter services must be offered free of charge, and applicants requiring interpreter services must not be made to wait unreasonably longer than English speaking applicants. An applicant must never be asked to bring their own interpreter.
 
Related Resources on TPS and Public Health Insurance
o       The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) has compiled a list of agencies, law firms, and law schools that provide immigration assistance -- list is posted at the NYIC’s website at https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/
o    For help with legal immigration matters or information, referrals, or resources related to an immigration matter -

IN NEW YORK CITY - call The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365, or call 311 and say “Immigration Legal“, between 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.  You can also visit their website for more detailed information.    

STATEWIDE - CONTACT THE  New York State New Americans Hotline for a referral to an organization to advise you.  1-800-566-7636   ee website at https://dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans 

Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

o        USCIS  TPS website with links to status in all countries, including HAITI.

o        LEGAL AID SOCIETY -

0    National Immigrant Law Center resources 

0    Protecting Immigrant Families - Public Charge Toolkit

o        For information on immigrants’ eligibility for public health insurance programs, consult the updated Immigrant Eligibility for Public Benefits in NYS Chart  by Empire Justice Center & NY Immigration Coalition - updated Jan. 2026  -  This chart is posted on this webpage.  Scroll down on that page to see updates from the Trump H.R.1 "Big Beautiful" bill enacted in July 2025. 

Please see these fact sheets and tool kits of the NY Immigration Coalition . 

Printable Fact Sheets for Distribution
Click here for a printable flyer in English
Click here for a printable flyer in Creole
Click here for a printable flyer in French

This article was co-authored by the New York Immigration Coalition, Empire Justice Center and the Health Law Unit of the Legal Aid Society. 1/29/10, updated 3/1/10, updated 2/3/2026 NY Legal Assistance Group

    


Article ID: 105
Last updated: 18 Feb, 2026
Revision: 5
Child Health Plus -> Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Public Health Insurance
http://health.wnylc.com/health/entry/105/