Jan 23rd 2008, 09:09

Government Help for Needy Immigrants and Refugees

Social services, medical and money aid

America has opened its doors wide-open to many an immigrant or refugee seeking a new beginning, and that is one of the things that make this nation great. Among these people are those who are in grave danger if they return to their home countries, those who have no more countries to return to, and those who are in the U.S. through no fault of their own, such as victims of human trafficking.

Having faith in the ability of these newly arriving groups of people to become successful and productive in their new home, the U.S. government sets aside money to help them adjust and integrate into the American society.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) funds a variety of programs that are administered mostly through state agencies and through service providers who are direct grant awardees. These programs provide money and medical aid, as well as other social and health services to help refugees and immigrants get jobs and become economically self-sufficient as soon as possible.

The ORR extends help to the following:

• Refugees
• Asylees
• Cuban/Haitian Entrants
• Amerasians
• Victims of Human Trafficking
• Unaccompanied Alien Children
• Survivors of Torture

If you are any of the above, you can get Cash & Medical Assistance between the time you arrive and up to your first 8th month in the U.S., even if you do not qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicaid programs. What's important is that you meet the income and resource eligibility requirements of these programs.

You also get free medical screening from local public health clinics or doctors. The costs are paid for by the ORR.

ORR funds also make the following social services available to you:

• Help to get employment
• English language instruction
• On-the-job training
• Transportation
• Day care
• Citizenship and employment authorization document assistance
• Translation/interpretation

If you'd like to know more about assistance programs for refugees and immigrants, you can visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr.

 

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