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Frequently Asked Questions: Marketplace Health Coverage Eligibility for DACA Recipients
A new federal rule will allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients to be able to enroll in health coverage through the Get Covered Illinois Marketplace for the first time, starting November 1, 2024. Eligible DACA recipients can receive financial help if they qualify. This FAQ addresses key questions that DACA recipients may have about the enrollment process.
- How do I sign up for coverage?
- What are the eligibility requirements to enroll in a qualified health plan through the Marketplace?
- Is financial help available to make my coverage more affordable?
- What documents/information do I need to apply?
- When can I enroll in coverage?
- Is enrollment help available?
- Who else qualifies under this new rule?
- Does this new ruling mean that DACA recipients may also qualify for Medicaid?
- Is my privacy protected if I apply for coverage on the Marketplace?
- Will getting financial help to pay for my insurance impact my or my family member’s ability to get a green card or become a U.S. citizen in the future?
Starting November 1, 2024, DACA recipients will be able to enroll in private qualified health insurance plans through the Get Covered Illinois Marketplace by visiting Healthcare.gov.
You must be a citizen, a lawfully present non-citizen, or a DACA recipient, be a resident of Illinois and not be incarcerated.
Eligibility for financial help, such as premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, is based on criteria including: your household size, income, whether you have access to affordable comprehensive coverage through another source (for example, Medicaid or an employer), and the cost of Marketplace coverage for your family. You can find out more about financial help here.
Typically, you will need information about your household, income, and immigration status. Here is a checklist of the documents you may need.
Open Enrollment for 2025 coverage begins on November 1, 2024, and goes through January 15, 2025. DACA recipients who enroll through a Special Enrollment Period in November can get coverage starting as early as December 1, 2024.
You can get help with enrollment from our Get Covered Illinois Navigators. You can find a Navigator by visiting: GetCoveredIllinois.gov and clicking on “Get Free Help.” You can also enroll through Healthcare.gov or by calling the Marketplace at (800) 318-2596.
Some additional categories of non-citizens with the following statuses will also be able to enroll in coverage through the Marketplace:
o Asylum applicant (if age 14 or older must have work authorization)
o Any non-citizen with current work authorization
o Applicant for T Visa
o Individual granted parole for any length of time
o Lawfully permanent resident with that status for any length of time
This list is not exhaustive. For more information on immigration statuses that qualify for Marketplace coverage, go to https://www.healthcare.gov/immigrants/immigration-status/
The new federal rule does not change or expand eligibility for Federal Medicaid. However, several health coverage options such as Moms & Babies, Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE), the Family Planning Presumptive Eligibility (FPPE) Program and All Kids are available regardless of immigration status.
Yes. Federal laws and regulations require that information you provide can be used only in the operation of the health insurance Marketplace. For example, your immigration status or income information may be verified to make sure you are eligible for coverage or subsidies, but not for any other purpose.
Enrolling in health coverage and receiving financial help through the Marketplace is not considered a public benefit for public charge purposes and will not impact your ability to receive or adjust status to lawful permanent resident or apply for citizenship in the future.
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A division of the Illinois Department of Insurance