Benefits, Health Insurance and Taxes for Ukrainians in the U.S. in 2026

Much less than before: the OBBBA law (H.R.1, signed on July 4, 2025) removed the main federal programs for parolees and TPS holders.

• SNAP (food stamps): eligibility only for citizens, green card holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and citizens of COFA countries.
• Medicaid/CHIP: since October 1, 2026 humanitarian parolees are not eligible.
• ACA subsidies: starting January 1, 2027 only for LPRs, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and COFA citizens.
• Medicare: the same limits; for those who already receive it – starting January 4, 2027.

“Refugee-like” status under the 2024 law does not protect against these losses, because OBBBA removed SNAP and Medicaid even for refugees. Some states have their own programs: check in your state.

No, parolees (including U4U) and TPS holders are no longer eligible for SNAP.

The law took effect on July 4, 2025. Under a USDA memo of October 31, 2025, it applies to new applications and at the next eligibility review (recertification); status is checked through SAVE. That is why many people lose SNAP exactly at recertification.

21 states and the District of Columbia are challenging how it is being implemented in court. If you have children who are U.S. citizens, they may be eligible for SNAP themselves: the application is filed only for the child.

Yes, children born in the U.S. are citizens, and the OBBBA limits for immigrants do not apply to them.

You can apply only for the child, without listing yourself as a recipient. But keep public charge in mind: according to ILRC, under the new rule benefits of family members may also be counted when a green card is reviewed. This is not an official USCIS interpretation, and decisions are made case by case. If you plan to file for a green card soon, weigh this with a lawyer rather than refusing medical care for your child.

Without Medicaid – yes, since October 1, 2026 humanitarian parolees are not eligible for it; but there are other insurance options.

• Employer insurance – the simplest and usually the cheapest option.
• Marketplace (ACA, HealthCare.gov): parolees and TPS holders count as “lawfully present” and can buy a plan. In 2026 subsidies are still possible (except for income below 100% of the poverty line); from 2027 – no discount.
• Community health centers (federally funded clinics): the cost depends on income.
• Hospital financial assistance programs (charity care): ask the hospital before paying the bill.

Some states have their own programs for immigrants; the rules differ.

No. Starting January 1, 2027 the premium tax credit will go only to green card holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and migrants from COFA countries.

HealthCare.gov states directly that other statuses “may be eligible for Marketplace coverage, but not savings.” This means you can buy a plan for 2027, but at full price. On October 15, 2026 the IRS published a proposed rule that implements this provision (comments until November 30, 2026).

Since January 1, 2026 there are already no subsidies for lawfully present people with income below 100% of the poverty line. When choosing a plan for 2027, calculate the full cost and compare it with your employer’s offer.

Under the OBBBA law, for most parolees and TPS holders who already receive Medicare, eligibility ends starting January 4, 2027.

Eligibility remains for the same categories as for Medicaid: green card holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and citizens of COFA countries. If you or your parents receive Medicare, start looking for a replacement now: employer insurance, a Marketplace plan without a subsidy, or state programs. Check letters from the Social Security Administration and Medicare – notices about the changes are sent by mail.

Public charge is a ground for denying a green card if the officer decides the person will live on government assistance. Since September 18, 2026 a new, much stricter DHS rule is in effect.

• It applies to I-485s filed on or after September 18, 2026 (by postmark or online). Older applications are reviewed under the 2022 rule.
• Benefits received before September 18, 2026: only cash assistance and long-term institutional care at government expense are counted.
• Benefits received on or after September 18, 2026: “any and all” means-tested benefits – Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance, education assistance.

Decisions are made based on the totality of circumstances, case by case. 22 states and the District of Columbia are challenging the rule in court, but as of mid-October it has not been blocked.

Not the TPS application itself: the law does not provide for a public charge review for TPS.

The problem comes later, when a parolee or TPS holder files for a green card through family (marriage to a citizen, a citizen relative) or employment: then public charge applies. There is no separate exemption for parole or TPS. Exempt from public charge are refugees, asylees, SIJ, T and U visa holders, and some other humanitarian categories.

If a green card is in your plans, discuss benefits with a lawyer in advance.

Not automatically: the officer looks at the whole picture, and benefits before September 18, 2026 are counted only narrowly.

Under the new rule, before September 18, 2026 only cash assistance and long-term institutional care count. Medicaid and SNAP received earlier are not counted under this rule. Since September 18, 2026 any means-tested benefits can become a negative factor. Positive factors include work, paying taxes, insurance, education, and a sponsor with enough income (I-864). Gather this evidence before filing the I-485. Americanization can help with the technical preparation of documents, but only a licensed attorney can assess the risk.

Yes, if you earn income in the U.S., you must pay taxes regardless of your immigration status.

• From your paycheck, the employer withholds federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%), as well as state tax if there is one.
• If you are self-employed (1099, your own business), you pay taxes yourself, including quarterly payments.
• Several states (for example, Florida, Texas, Washington) have no state income tax on wages.

Paid taxes and filed returns help later: they are evidence of “good conduct” for a green card and citizenship, and also proof of income.

It depends on the number of days in the U.S., not on your immigration status: tax residency is determined by the substantial presence test.

According to the IRS, you are a resident if you were in the U.S. at least 31 days in the current year and 183 days over three years, counting all days of the current year, 1/3 of the days of last year, and 1/6 of the days of the year before. Most Ukrainians with parole or TPS who have lived here more than a year meet this test.

Residents file Form 1040 and report worldwide income; nonresidents file 1040-NR. In the year of arrival there can be special cases (dual-status) – then it is better to see a tax professional.

If you are eligible for an SSN (and with an EAD you are), you need the SSN; an ITIN is only for people who cannot get an SSN.

• IRS: people eligible for an SSN do not need an ITIN; you cannot have both at the same time. After you get an SSN, the ITIN is no longer used.
• An ITIN is requested with Form W-7, including for a husband or wife or children without an SSN.
• An ITIN does not give the right to work and does not change immigration status.

Important: the Child Tax Credit and EITC require an SSN that is valid for work. You cannot get these credits with an ITIN.

The 2026 return must be filed by April 15, 2027; the general rule is April 15 of the following year (if that is a weekend or holiday – the next business day).

If you can’t make it, file Form 4868 by that date – an automatic 6-month extension. But the IRS warns: an extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay. The tax you owe must be paid by April 15, otherwise there will be penalties and interest. State return deadlines may differ.

Yes, it can: when reviewing green card and citizenship applications, officers look at tax payments.

Since August 2025, when assessing “good moral character” for citizenship, USCIS looks not only at the absence of violations but also at positive contributions, including paying taxes. Unfiled returns, unreported income (especially cash and 1099), or improperly claimed credits can become a negative factor. If you made a mistake, file an amended return (Form 1040-X) and keep copies of all returns and IRS transcripts.

Yes, if you are a tax resident and both you and your child have an SSN that is valid for work.

• The amount for 2025 is up to $2,200 for each child under 17 at the end of the year.
• The refundable part (Additional Child Tax Credit) is up to $1,700 per child if you earned at least $2,500.
• The SSN must be issued by the return due date (including extensions).

A child with an ITIN does not qualify for this credit. Check on the IRS website whether the SSN requirements also apply to your husband or wife on a joint return.

You can if you were a tax resident for the whole year and have an SSN that is valid for work.

• An SSN is required for you, your husband or wife on a joint return, and each child you claim.
• If you were a nonresident for part of the year, the EITC is possible only on a joint return with a husband or wife who is a citizen or resident, and if you choose resident status.
• There are limits on income and investment income; the amounts change every year – see the IRS tables.

In the year of arrival the EITC is usually not available.

From 2025 through 2028, new federal deductions under the OBBBA law are in effect.

• No Tax on Tips: a deduction for tips of up to $25,000 per year.
• No Tax on Overtime: up to $12,500 ($25,000 on a joint return).
• Both are reduced when income (MAGI) is over $150,000 ($300,000 for married couples). You need an SSN on the return, and married couples must file jointly.
• Starting in 2026, the Child and Dependent Care Credit can reach 50% of expenses instead of 35%.

These are deductions from federal income tax; Social Security and Medicare are still withheld from tips and overtime as before.

On October 16, 2026 four H.R.1 fees went up; an application postmarked on or after that date with the old amount will be rejected.

• I-821, the TPS fee: $510 → $520.
• I-765, the first EAD for TPS, parole, or asylum: $560 → $570.
• I-131, the fee for a grant of parole: $1,020 → $1,050.
• The annual asylum case fee: $102 → $105.

EAD renewal for parole and TPS ($280) and the basic fees did not change. H.R.1 fees cannot be waived with an I-912.