Refugee Assistance

Refugee public assistance involves refugee cash assistance and refugee medical assistance.  Refugees are eligible for eight months after arrival in the country.  These individuals enter the United States legally as a refugee pursuant to S3ection 207 of the Immigration & Naturalization Act.  Eligibility criteria parallel the states Medicaid and welfare programs.  Application for this assistance is made at the Department of Social Services.

The Services are Provided to:

  • Expedite the resettlement process
  • Quickly reduce dependence on public assistance
  • Assist refugees to become employed
  • Acquire English language skills
  • Achieve self-sufficiency as quickly as possible

Refugees are eligible for these services for the first five years they are in the United States.