Page 78

U.S. that allows them to enter the country, work here, and acquire an SSN without obtaining an immigration status. As of December 27, 2020, COFA migrants may be eligible for health care if they meet all other eligibility requirements. In addition, COFA migrants are not subject to the five-year waiting period. COFA migrants who have a change in their status and become Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) are not subject to the five-year waiting period. 4.3.3.1.4 Victims of Trafficking The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Trafficking in Persons (HHS OTIP) provides adult victims of trafficking with Certification Letters which allow those whose immigration status would otherwise prevent them from being eligible to receive BadgerCare Plus to be eligible to receive benefits. The certification process typically takes a few days after HHS is notified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that a person has made a bona fide application for a T visa or has been granted a T visa or Continued Presence. • Applicants with a victim Certification Letter from the HHS OTIP qualify for benefits as a Victim of Trafficking regardless of their immigration status. • Applicants who are victims of trafficking with class of admission (COA) codes ST6 or T1 and are: ◦ Under 18 at the time of application do NOT require a Certification Letter. ◦ 18 or older must either have a victim Certification Letter or meet one of the additional qualifying criteria for certain qualifying immigrants (see SECTION 4.3.3.1.5 ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING IMMIGRANTS). Children, spouses, and parents of trafficking victims (COA codes: ST0, ST1, ST7, ST8, ST9, T2, T3, T4, T5, or T6) do not need a Certification Letter to be eligible for benefits. Trafficking victims who meet additional criteria described in SECTION 4.3.3.1.5 ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING IMMIGRANTS or were certified by HHS as a victim of trafficking and who later have a change in their status and become Lawful Permanent Residents are not subject to the five-year waiting period as Lawful Permanent Residents. 4.3.3.1.5 Additional Criteria for Certain Qualifying Immigrants Certain qualifying immigrants must meet one additional criterion to be eligible for full- benefit BadgerCare Plus. These groups include: • Lawful permanent residents (LPR) • People who are paroled into the U.S. under INA Section 212(d)(5) for at least one year. • People considered to be VAWA self-petitioners who suffered domestic abuse. The groups listed above must meet one of the following additional criteria: 1. Have been in a qualifying immigration status for five years. Immigrants who arrived in the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, are subject to a five-year waiting period to receive federal benefits (including BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid), other than emergency services. For these immigrants, the five-year waiting period is calculated beginning when they first receive their qualifying immigration status. 2. Are less than 19 years old. 3. Are less than 21 years old and reside in an Institution for Mental Diseases. 4. Are pregnant.