What is considered public assistance?

[sof18]

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I have been asked on secondary if my family has received public assistance. Do FAFSA grants (Pell grants, etc) count as public assistance? Does receiving Medi-Cal count as public assistance?

 

[BeMD13]

I would not count Pell Grants as public assistance. You could maybe argue that one but it's going to make you look bad. This typically means food stamps, Medicaid, or government housing. If Medi-Cal is what they call Medicaid in your state then I would say you can safely answer yes.

(Also, Pell Grants show up on AMCAS so they will know anyway.)

 

[LizzyM]

Just my off the cuff thought on this is that "public assistance" is another name for what we used to call "welfare".
The eligibility for health care coverage for kids has been expanded quite a bit even before ACA.

Uunless you were also getting cash payments from the government to cover your living expenses, I wouldn't check the "public assistance" box.