Refugee Support & Federal Benefits

1. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is a critical division of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ORR is the primary federal agency responsible for funding, managing, and overseeing the national support structures that help approved refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian entrants integrate successfully into American society.

The core objective of the ORR is to help newcomers achieve rapid economic self-sufficiency and social integration. To achieve this, ORR distributes federal resources through state-administered programs and an extensive network of non-profit voluntary resettlement agencies. These funds cover time-limited cash allowances, medical assistance, English language training, and specialized job training. For primary research on federal support, visit the official Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Website.

2. Retrieving Your Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)

The Form I-94 is the official Arrival/Departure Record issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian entrants, this digital document serves as your primary legal proof of lawful admission and status in the United States.

You will need a printed copy of your I-94 to apply for your Social Security Number (SSN), secure a state ID or driver's license, enroll in Medicaid/RMA, and register for public cash assistance or the Matching Grant program. Because CBP issues these records electronically at the airport, you must retrieve and print yours online.

To download your official record, visit the verified federal portal:

3. USCIS Mandatory Address Change Notification (Form AR-11)

Under U.S. federal law, refugees, asylees, and most other non-citizens are legally required to notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of any address change within 10 days of moving. This obligation is typically fulfilled by filing Form AR-11 (Alien's Change of Address Card). The fastest and most efficient way to satisfy this requirement is online, although paper-based filing remains an option.

How to Change Your Address:

Option 1: Online via E-COA (Highly Recommended)

This is the fastest method, as it immediately updates your records across USCIS electronic case management systems in real time. It eliminates the need to file a paper form by mail.

Option 2: By Mail (Paper Form AR-11)

If you cannot access the online portal or require specialized handling for certain sensitive cases (such as survivors of domestic violence), you may submit a physical paper form.

Crucial Compliance Details:

The USPS Misconception: Simply setting up mail forwarding or updating your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) does not update your address with USCIS. Federal immigration authorities do not receive forwarding information from the post office. You must notify USCIS directly through their official portals to comply with the 10-day legal reporting window.

4. Initial Resettlement Funding: The R&P Grant

When you are approved for resettlement through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), you are assigned to one of nine national voluntary resettlement agencies. These agencies receive a one-time federal payment on your behalf known as the Reception and Placement (R&P) Grant under a cooperative agreement with the Department of State.

This grant is currently set at exactly $2,425 per refugee. It is important to understand that this is not a cash payment handed over directly to you; instead, it is legally structured into two separate allocations to manage your local setup:

Saffer Note: While some resettlement affiliates distribute the bulk of the $1,375 direct assistance as pocket cash, others are permitted to withhold a standardized portion (e.g., $450) to make bulk purchases for your pre-arrival apartment setup (like buying kitchenware, bedding, and initial groceries) so you enter a fully furnished home. Your caseworker is required to provide a clear financial ledger detailing exactly how your direct grant was spent.

For more detailed regulations on the resettlement process, consult the official U.S. Department of State Reception & Placement Program Page.

5. Public Cash Assistance Programs

If you are not enrolled in a private credit-builder program, you will rely on federally funded public cash welfare to cover your basic living expenses during your initial months in the US:

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)

RCA is a crucial program designed specifically for single adults and childless couples. Because single adults do not have minor children, they are ineligible for standard family welfare programs. RCA is administered by individual states using federal ORR funds and provides modest, monthly cash payments for up to 12 months starting from your date of entry or asylum grant, allowing you to pay basic rent and utilities while you search for employment. For official guidelines, see the ORR Cash & Medical Assistance (CMA) Portal.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

If you relocate as a family with minor children (under 18), you do not qualify for RCA. Instead, you are transitioned directly onto TANF (commonly known as state family cash assistance). TANF is a long-term state-run welfare program designed to support low-income families. Like RCA, it provides monthly cash support but is tied to mandatory state-supervised job search programs. Read the official administrative rules on the ACF Federal TANF Program Page.

6. The Matching Grant (MG) Program

The Voluntary Agencies Matching Grant (MG) Program is a highly successful, public-private alternative to public welfare programs like RCA or TANF. It is funded by the ORR and administered directly by your local resettlement agency.

How the Matching Grant Works:

For more detailed regulations on program design and funding matches, review the official ORR Matching Grant Program Page.

7. Official State Refugee Assistance Directories

Because social benefits, RCA disbursement levels, and local integration services are administered directly at the state level, you must coordinate with your state's designated refugee program office.

Select your state or district from the official directory below to access their licensing, resettlement services, or state social services website in a new window:

8. Applying for Your Green Card (Adjustment of Status)

Refugee status is the first step toward staying in the United States permanently. U.S. law requires refugees to apply for a Green Card (lawful permanent resident status) after one year in the country. USCIS calls this step adjustment of status, and you apply on Form I-485 [1][2].

When to Apply:

What It Costs:

What to Send (Principal Applicant):

Your spouse and children who came with you, or who joined you through an approved Form I-730, file their own Form I-485. They add proof of the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate or adoption decree) and proof of their own admission [1]. They do not have to wait for you to get your Green Card first [4].

Where to File:

After You File:

Why You Should Not Delay:

Refugees and Asylees: Key Differences:

Many guides mix these two groups up, but the rules are not the same:

Topic Refugee Asylee
Where you apply for protection Outside the United States [18] In the United States, or on arrival here [18]
Applying for a Green Card Required [1][3] Optional: asylees "may" adjust status [17]
Your one year starts On the date you were admitted as a refugee [4] On the date you were granted asylum [17]
Year must be complete When USCIS decides your case [4] When USCIS decides your case [17]
Form I-485 fee $0 [1][5] Fee required, or a fee waiver request on Form I-912 [16]
Custody rule and February 2026 memo Written for refugees [12][14] The custody wording is in the refugee part of the law, not the asylee part [12]

You may file these forms yourself. If you want help, start with your resettlement agency, or read the USCIS page on finding legal services and avoiding scams [15].

This section is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often, so always confirm the details on the official pages below. Current as of October 30, 2026.

Section 8 Sources

To read the official text yourself: