HHS Notice Excluding Non-Qualified Immigrants from Federal Benefits

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. issued a notice regarding the interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit” as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). Programs that fall within that category are only available to citizens and “qualifying aliens.”

The notice adds a number of HHS programs to the category, including Head Start, family planning programs, and programs relating to substance abuse, homelessness, and mental health. Comments are due 8/13/25. (90 FR 31232, 7/14/25)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary 0991–ZA57

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); Interpretation of ‘‘Federal Public Benefit’’

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Notice; 30-day comment period.