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The Berkowitz Law Firm LLC Discusses Connecticut Immigrant Benefits

Written by Berkowitz

Immigrant Workers

As changes in immigration laws begin to take place, Berkowitz and Hanna LLC is pleased to share information with Connecticut immigrants who might not know exactly what assistance they are entitled to. Con los cambios en las leyes migratorias, Berkowitz and Hanna LLC quiere compartir la mejor información para que los inmigrantes de Connecticut conozcan sus derechos.

According to a recent article by the Hartford Courant, under President Obama’s plan, “undocumented immigrants whose children are citizens or U.S. residents can apply for provisional legal status if they have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, can pass a criminal background check and have paid fees and their share of taxes.” Once provisional status is established, immigrants can get a Social Security number and work permits. Then they would pay into both Social Security and Medicare programs through payroll taxes and be eligible for those benefits after ten years.

It’s important to note that provisional legal status must be renewed every three years. In addition, immigrants with provisional legal status are still not eligible for food stamps, health benefits provided by AccessHealthCT, Medicaid, heating assistance and other state programs offered to low-and-medium income people. Es muy importante notar que el estatus provisional legal debe ser renovado cada tres años.

According to the Courant, “The Pew Research Hispanic Trends Project says that about 4.2 percent of kindergarten through 12th grade students in the state have undocumented parents. That’s more than 20,000 children.”

Berkowitz and Hanna LLC notes that Social Security and Medicare programs are important for older people, especially immigrants. As residents age, it’s important to protect them by ensuring they have access to money and medical care. Making sure seniors are protected from elder abuse and personal injury are important goals that may be furthered by President Obama’s new immigration plan.

Image by Answer LA via Flickr.com

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