Right Column
Getting Services
Needy refugees and other eligible populations, may qualify to receive benefits and services from a number of federal and state social service programs depending on their length of residency in the United States (U.S.) and other eligibility criteria (eligibility criteria and documentation requirements differ among the populations we serve). However, all *refugees are expected to become self-sufficient as soon as possible.
BENEFITS
- Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) - needy refugees without children who are not otherwise eligible for any other cash aid may be eligible for RCA for 8 months. These individuals may also be eligible to receive employment and other social services during the same 8-month period.
- California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) - refugee families with children may qualify for cash aid, medical assistance, employment services and other support services through the CalWORKs program.
- Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) - needy refugees who are otherwise ineligible for CalWORKs, Healthy Families, or Medi-Cal may be eligible for health services for 8 months. A refugee does not have to receive RCA to receive RMA benefits. The RMA program is adminstered by the California Department of Public Health, Refugee Health Section and delivered at the local level by a Refugee Health Coordinator. The RCA, CalWORKs, RMA programs serve all 58 counties in the state and are operated locally by county social services/welfare departments. Refugees may apply for benefits in the county where they live. To find a nearby office, contact the county social services/welfare department listed under the County Government section of your telephone book or visit the on-line county agencies listing.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the State Supplemental Program (SSP) - elderly, blind or disabled refugees may be eligible for federal SSI/SSP. Refugees who are not eligible for SSI/SSP solely due to their immigration status can apply for Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). Both SSI/SSP and CAPI provide monthly cash assistance to aged, blind, and disabled refugees. The SSI/SSP benefits are administered by the federal Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Other benefits such as food stamps and Medi-Cal, may also be available to refugees from their local counties. Also visit the California Department of Social Services Finding Services web page for benefits and services offered by other programs.
SERVICES
- Refugees may also be eligible for refugee-specific services in thirteen refugee-impacted counties. These may include employability services, English language instruction, on-the-job training, transportation, day care, citizenship and employment authorization document assistance, translation/interpretation and others. Contact a County Refugee Coordinator to determine what services are available and to get additional information.
- Vital to the success of refugee resettlement services are the contributions made by the voluntary resettlement agencies ( Volags), mutual assistance associations ( MAAs), and community/faith-based organizations ( CBOs). MAAs and CBOs provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services and assist refugees with acculturation into American society. Volags assist refugees during their initial placement and provide services for 90 days after arrival in the U.S.
*NOTE: The term refugee used throughout this page is intended to include all eligible populations.