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entering the U.S. under another immigration status (such as an asylee or parolee). Therefore, unless the immigrant is a qualified alien and is eligible under current program rules, the date of eligibility may or may not coincide with the special immigrant’s date of entry. This policy is based on the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2010 (Section 8120, P.L. 111-118) enacted on December 19, 2009.22 On 8/2/21, the Department of State approved three additional immigration categories for Afghan evacuees entering the U.S. who are eligible for Medicaid benefits.23

Afghans with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV): Afghans granted a SIV have been affiliated with the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, e.g., as translators and interpreters, or are the spouse or an unmarried child under the age of 21 of such individuals. SIVs are Legal Permanent Residents (LPR also known as U.S. green card holders).

• Afghans granted SIVs are in a qualified non-citizen status and are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP to the same extent as refugees, without a five-year waiting period, if they meet other eligibility requirements. • Afghans granted SI/SQ Parole who are ineligible for Medicaid/CHIP because they are over income limits or do not have other coverage (e.g., employer-sponsored insurance) may be eligible for Marketplace coverage with financial assistance of Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). Special Immigrant (SI/SQ) Parolees: Such SI/SQ Parolees are eligible for a SIV but were evacuated to the U.S. before completing the process to receive a SIV.

• Afghans granted SI/SQ Parole for more than one year are in a qualified non-citizen status and are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP as refugees, without the five-year waiting period, if otherwise eligible.

• Afghans granted SI/SQ Parole who are ineligible for Medicaid/CHIP because they are over income limits or do not have other coverage (e.g., employer-sponsored insurance) may be eligible for Marketplace coverage with financial assistance of Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). All Other Parolees (aka Humanitarian non-SI/SQ Parolees): Such Humanitarian (non-SI/SQ) Parolees are Afghans who were evacuated for urgent humanitarian reasons and paroled into the United States but have not been granted a SIV and may not be eligible for the SIV program.

• Effective 10/1/21, Afghan nationals who entered the U. S with humanitarian parole, are eligible to receive the same services as refugees (admitted under Section 207 of the INA).

• Afghans who are Humanitarian (non-SI/SQ) Parolees for more than one year are in a