What refugee and entrant information covers
Refugee and entrant information is a set of federal programs that provide cash support, medical coverage, and job training to people admitted to the United States as refugees, asylees, or under other humanitarian statuses. The programs are run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They exist because people in these categories often arrive with no savings, no employment history in the U.S., and no family network to draw from.
The support is temporary — it phases out as you find work and become self-sufficient. The length of time you can receive it depends on your admission category and when you arrived. A refugee admitted in 2024 has access to different programs and timelines than someone who arrived in 2010.
These programs are separate from general welfare or food information, though you may be able to receive both at the same time. The rules about what you can get, for how long, and whether you have to work are different for each admission category.
Key Takeaways
- Refugee Resettlement information (RRA) provides cash support for up to eight months after arrival, but the amount and length vary by state and admission category.
- Refugee Medical information (RMA) covers medical care for the first eight months, then transitions to Medicaid if you meet income limits.
- Matching Grant programs provide cash and employment services for up to six months, but you must be actively looking for work.
- Your admission category — refugee, asylee, Cuban/Haitian entrant, or other — determines which programs you can access and for how long.
- State refugee resettlement agencies handle enrollment and payments, not a federal office, so the process and support levels differ by location.
Refugee Resettlement information and how long it lasts
Refugee Resettlement information (RRA) is the main cash support program. It provides monthly payments to help cover rent, food, utilities, and other basic living costs. The amount you receive is based on your household size and your state's cost of living. A single person in Maine receives a different amount than a single person in California, and a family of four receives more than a single person in the same state.
RRA is available for up to eight months after you arrive in the United States. However, if you find employment before eight months have passed, your RRA payments stop. This is intentional — the program is designed to bridge the gap until you can support yourself, not to run alongside a paycheck.
If you are a refugee or asylee who arrived before 1997, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF) instead of or after RRA ends. The rules about this are complex and depend on your age, disability status, and when you arrived. Your state refugee agency can tell you whether you meet the conditions.
Medical coverage for the first eight months
Refugee Medical information (RMA) covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medications, and emergency services for the first eight months after arrival. It works similarly to Medicaid but is a separate program run by ORR. You do not pay premiums, and there are no copayments for most services.
After eight months, RMA ends. At that point, you may be able to enroll in your state's Medicaid program if your income is low enough. The income limit for Medicaid varies by state, and some states are more generous than others. Your state refugee agency or a local community health center can help you understand whether you will be able to transition to Medicaid when RMA ends.
If you are pregnant or have a serious medical condition when RMA is about to end, some states allow you to stay on RMA for a longer period. This is not automatic — you have to request it and provide medical documentation. Ask your RMA provider or your state refugee agency whether your situation qualifies.
Employment services and Matching Grant programs
Matching Grant programs provide cash support and employment services for up to six months. Unlike RRA, which is available to all newly arrived refugees and asylees, Matching Grant programs are run by nonprofit organizations and have limited funding. Not every state has one, and the ones that do may not be accepting new participants at any given time.
If you are accepted into a Matching Grant program, you receive monthly cash payments — usually smaller than RRA — plus job training, English classes, and help finding employment. The program expects you to be actively looking for work. If you are not participating in job search activities or training, your payments can be reduced or stopped.
Matching Grant programs are competitive. Your state refugee agency can tell you whether one exists in your area and whether it is currently open to new participants. If one is not available or is full, you will receive RRA instead.
How your admission category affects what you can receive
| Admission Category | RRA Available | RMA Available | Length of Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refugee | Yes | Yes | Up to 8 months |
| Asylee | Yes | Yes | Up to 8 months |
| Cuban/Haitian Entrant | Yes | Yes | Up to 36 months (cash); 8 months (medical) |
| Amerasian | Yes | Yes | Up to 36 months (cash); 8 months (medical) |
| Special Immigrant (SIV) | No | No | Not available |
Refugees and asylees have access to RRA and RMA for up to eight months. Cuban and Haitian entrants, and Amerasians, can receive RRA for up to 36 months but RMA for only eight months. Special Immigrants (including Afghan and Ukrainian Special Immigrants) do not may have access to for ORR programs, though they may be able to access other federal or state information.
Your state may also offer additional support beyond what ORR provides. Some states fund their own cash information or medical programs for refugees and entrants. Ask your state refugee agency what is available in your location.
How to enroll and what documents you will need
Enrollment in RRA and RMA happens through your state's refugee resettlement agency, not through a federal office. When you arrive in the United States, you will be assigned to a resettlement agency — usually a nonprofit organization contracted by ORR. That agency will help you explore for RRA and RMA within the first few days after arrival.
You will need to provide proof of your identity (your travel document or passport), proof of your household composition (birth certificates or family documents), and information about any income or resources you have. You will also need to sign a form confirming that you understand the program rules and that you will report changes in your situation (such as employment or a change in household size).
The resettlement agency will enroll you in RMA when ready. RRA payments usually begin within one to two weeks. The exact timeline depends on your state and the agency's workload. If you have not received your first payment within three weeks, contact your resettlement agency to ask about the status.
What happens when your support period ends
When your RRA support period ends — either because eight months have passed or because you found employment — your cash payments stop. Your RMA also ends after eight months, regardless of whether you are still receiving RRA.
Before your support ends, your resettlement agency should meet with you to discuss what comes next. If you are working, you may be able to support yourself. If you are not working or your income is very low, you may be able to enroll in your state's Medicaid program (for medical coverage) and TANF or SSI (for cash information). The income limits and rules for these programs are different from ORR programs and vary by state.
If you are still looking for work when your support ends, some states have additional job training or cash information programs for refugees. Your resettlement agency or your state's refugee coordinator can tell you what is available. You can also contact your local workforce development office, which may have job training programs open to anyone in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to work while I am receiving RRA?
No, you are not required to work to receive RRA. However, if you find employment, your RRA payments will stop. Some states encourage work through Matching Grant programs, which provide job training and employment services, but participation in those programs is not mandatory for all refugees and entrants.
Can I receive RRA and RMA if I am still waiting for my asylum decision?
No. RRA and RMA are only for people who have been officially admitted as refugees or asylees. If you are waiting for an asylum decision, you are not yet in one of these categories. You may be able to access other federal or state information programs while your case is pending — ask a local legal aid organization or community agency about what is available.
What if my household size changes while I am receiving RRA?
You must report changes in your household to your resettlement agency. If someone joins your household, your RRA amount may increase. If someone leaves, it may decrease. If you do not report the change, you may be overpaid and asked to return the money. Report changes as soon as they happen.
Can I move to a different state while receiving RRA?
Yes, but you should notify your resettlement agency before you move. Your RRA payments will continue, but they will be managed by the refugee agency in your new state. The amount you receive may change because different states have different cost-of-living adjustments. Contact your new state's refugee agency as soon as you arrive to make sure your payments continue without interruption.
What happens to my RMA if I get a job with health insurance?
RMA ends after eight months regardless of whether you have other insurance. If your employer offers health insurance, you can enroll in it when it becomes available. There is no requirement to drop RMA early or to use your employer's insurance instead. You can have both during the overlap period.