# LIFT the BAR Act: What This Bill Does

The LIFT the BAR Act would make major changes to which immigrants can receive government benefits. Right now, federal law severely restricts benefits like food assistance, Medicaid, and housing help for most noncitizens, even those living legally in the United States. This bill would remove many of those restrictions and allow lawfully present immigrants to access the same benefits as citizens.

Currently, only certain "qualified" immigrants—like refugees, asylees, and some permanent residents—can get federal benefits. Everyone else, including many people with legal status, is blocked from programs like SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and subsidized housing. This bill would expand eligibility to include people with various legal statuses: those with pending U visa applications (for crime victims), people granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), special immigrant juveniles, and essentially anyone who is lawfully present in the United States. The bill also ensures that children of all immigration statuses can access school lunch and breakfast programs, and it removes barriers to health insurance for lawfully present immigrants.

The practical impact would be significant for immigrant families. Millions of people currently ineligible would gain access to food assistance, healthcare through Medicaid, and housing support. For example, a DACA recipient working full-time but earning low wages could now qualify for Medicaid instead of having no health insurance. A family with a pending U visa could access food stamps while their case is being processed. The bill also clarifies that receiving these benefits won't count against someone's immigration record—a major concern that currently prevents eligible people from applying.

The bill would require federal agencies to issue guidance within six months and would take effect 180 days after that guidance is issued, giving states and agencies time to adjust their systems before implementation.

LIFT the BAR Act

Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration Act or the LIFT the BAR ActThis bill repeals certain limits on the eligibility of noncitizens who lawfully reside in the United States for federal means-tested programs, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), programs funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grants, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and certain nutrition and housing programs.&nbsp;