Assistance Programs Available
Refugees are individuals who are unable to return to their country of origin because of persecution or a well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Refugees are eligible to apply for the same assistance programs as United States citizens, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid.
Single refugee adults or couples who are not eligible for TANF or Medicaid may be eligible to receive refugee cash assistance and refugee Medicaid for their first eight months in the United States so they can become self-sufficient.