Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is a time-limited cash assistance program for refugees who are not eligible for any other cash assistance. RCA is available to eligible refugee populations for up to 12 months from the date of admission to the U.S., date of final grant of asylum or date of certification as a victim of trafficking. Refugee Cash Assistance recipients must meet program eligibility requirements and must also register with the Refugee Social Services Provider for continued receipt of RCA benefits.
To apply for or find out more about RCA benefits, please contact the DHS Economic Service Administration (ESA).
For information on additional refugee assistance, click here.
Eligibility
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a refugee is an individual who has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Individuals who meet this definition may be considered for either refugee status under Section 207 of the INA if they are outside the United States, or asylum status under Section 208 of the INA if they are already in the United States. Program services focus on new arrivals and those who have been in the U.S. five years or less. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) serves the following eligible populations:
- Refugees or individuals paroled as refugees
- Asylees
- Cuban and Haitian Entrants
- Certain Amerasians
- Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
- Certified Victims of Human Trafficking
- Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant (SI) Visa Holders
- Lawful Permanent Residents (with previous refugee status)
- Afghans who received SI/SQ or Humanitarian Parole (per Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022)*
- Ukrainians who received Humanitarian Parole (per the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022)**
*Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations (ASA) Act, 2022, effective September 30, 2021, Congress authorized ORR-eligibility for citizens or nationals of Afghanistan paroled into the United States between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022.
**Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act (AUSAA), 2022, and effective May 21, 2022, Congress authorized ORR-eligibility for specific Ukrainian populations and other non-Ukrainian individuals displaced from Ukraine between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2023.
Additional Resources for Refugees
- US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- The National Immigration Forum
- Asylum information from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Ten (10) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- US Immigration Control and Financial Responsibility Act of 1996
- Immigration Reform Act of 2007
- US Department of State Visas Services