What Refugee and Entrant Assistance Discretionary Grants Cover

What Discretionary Grants Are and Who Administers Them

Discretionary grants for refugees and entrants are one-time payments or services funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. Unlike formula-based programs that operate on a fixed schedule, discretionary grants are awarded to organizations and agencies based on specific proposals and demonstrated need. The grants fund services like job training, mental health counseling, language classes, and emergency information for people who have recently arrived in the United States as refugees, asylees, or certain other entrants.

These grants are not payments you receive directly. Instead, they fund the nonprofit organizations, community groups, and government agencies that serve you. When you work with a resettlement agency or community organization, you may be receiving services paid for through one of these grants, though you typically will not see the grant name on any paperwork.

The grants change year to year based on funding levels and policy priorities. Some grants focus on employment services, others on mental health or housing support. The organizations that receive them must report on how many people they serve and what outcomes they achieve.

Key Takeaways

• Discretionary grants fund services through resettlement agencies and nonprofits, not direct payments to individuals.
• Common services include job training, English classes, mental health support, and emergency financial information for when ready needs.
• The specific services available depend on which organizations in your area have received grants and what those grants cover.
• You access these services by contacting your local resettlement agency or community organization, not by explore for the grant itself.
• Grant funding changes annually, so the services available in your community may expand or contract from year to year.

Types of Services Funded by Discretionary Grants

Discretionary grants typically fund services that help people become self-sufficient quickly. Employment-focused grants pay for job training, resume writing, interview coaching, and job placement information. Language grants support English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, often combined with civics or job-specific vocabulary training. Mental health grants fund counseling for trauma, depression, and adjustment challenges that many refugees face after displacement and resettlement.

Some grants support emergency information — short-term help with rent, utilities, or food when someone faces an when ready crisis. Others fund case management services, where a counselor helps you navigate housing, healthcare, schools, and benefits. A few grants support community orientation programs that teach newcomers how to use public transportation, understand lease agreements, and access local services.

The exact mix of services varies by location. A city with a large refugee population and multiple resettlement agencies may have grants covering all these areas. A smaller town may have only employment or ESL services. Your resettlement agency can tell you what is available where you live.

How to Find Out What Services Are Available in Your Area

Start by contacting your local resettlement agency. If you arrived through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, you were likely assigned to one of nine national resettlement organizations: HIAS, IRC (International Rescue Committee), LIRS (Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service), RAICES, USCRI (U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants), VOAS (Voluntary Agencies), World Relief, Church World Service, or Ethiopian Community Development Council. These organizations have local offices in most major cities and can tell you which discretionary grants they hold and what services those grants fund.

If you are an asylee or arrived through another pathway, you may not have been assigned to a resettlement agency. In that case, search online for "refugee services near me" or contact your city or county refugee coordinator. Many cities have a dedicated office that tracks all refugee and entrant services in the area. You can also call 211 (a helpline that connects you to local services) and ask for refugee information programs.

When you contact an organization, ask specifically what services they offer and whether those services are free. Most services funded by discretionary grants are free to you, but some organizations may ask for a small fee or sliding scale payment for certain services.

Employment and Job Training Services

Employment grants are among the most common discretionary grants. They fund job readiness training, which teaches how to write a resume, fill out job applications, and interview. Some grants pay for occupational training in fields like healthcare, construction, or manufacturing. Others fund job placement services where staff help you find positions that match your skills and experience.

A few employment grants also cover licensing or credential support. If you were a teacher, nurse, or tradesperson in your home country, some grants help you understand what steps are needed to work in that field in the United States, and may cover exam fees or training costs. This varies widely by location and by the specific grant.

Employment services typically run for three to six months, though some programs extend longer if you need it. The goal is to move you into a paying job as quickly as possible, which is why employment grants are often the largest discretionary grants in any given year.

Language and Civics Training

English language grants fund ESL classes at different levels — from absolute beginner to advanced. Some programs combine English instruction with civics education, teaching you about U.S. government, rights and responsibilities, and how to navigate systems like healthcare and education. A few grants support job-specific English, where you learn vocabulary and communication skills for a particular field.

These classes are usually free and may be offered in the evenings or on weekends to fit around work schedules. Some programs provide childcare during classes or transportation information. The length of the program depends on your starting level and the grant funding, but most run for several months.

Language grants often partner with community colleges or adult education programs. If you are interested in ESL classes, ask your resettlement agency whether they offer them directly or can refer you to a partner program.

Mental Health and Counseling Support

Mental health discretionary grants fund counseling for refugees and entrants who have experienced trauma, loss, or significant stress during displacement and resettlement. Counselors may specialize in trauma-informed care, meaning they understand how displacement and violence affect people and how to help you process those experiences safely.

Some mental health grants fund individual counseling, while others support group programs or family counseling. A few grants pay for interpreters so you can receive counseling in your own language. Mental health services are confidential and free when funded by these grants.

Mental health support is often underused because people do not know it is available or because seeking counseling carries stigma in some cultures. If you are struggling with sleep, anxiety, grief, or memories of difficult experiences, ask your resettlement agency or community organization whether mental health services are available. There is no shame in using them, and they can make a real difference in your adjustment to life in the United States.

Emergency information and Case Management

Some discretionary grants fund emergency information for when ready crises — a month's rent when you lose a job, utilities when you face shutoff, or food when you run out of money before your next paycheck. Emergency grants are typically small (often a few hundred dollars) and are meant to prevent homelessness or severe hardship while you stabilize your situation.

Emergency information is not the same as ongoing benefits. It is a one-time or occasional payment for a specific crisis, not a monthly stipend. You usually must show that you have a plan to meet your needs going forward — a job lined up, benefits you are waiting for, or family support that is coming.

Case management services, also funded by some discretionary grants, connect you with housing, healthcare, schools, and other services you need. A case manager acts as a guide through systems that can be confusing when you are new to the country. They help you understand your options and connect you to resources, but they do not make decisions for you.

How Discretionary Grants Differ From Other Refugee information

The U.S. government provides several types of support for refugees and entrants. Resettlement information is a federal payment made directly to you for your first few months in the country — it covers basic living expenses while you find work. Refugee Cash information (RCA) is ongoing monthly support for people who cannot work. Discretionary grants, by contrast, fund services and programs rather than direct payments.

This means you cannot receive a discretionary grant as money in your pocket. Instead, you receive the services that the grant pays for — a job training class, counseling sessions, or emergency help with rent. The benefit to you is real, but it comes in the form of services rather than cash.

Some people receive all three types of support at the same time: resettlement information as a direct payment, RCA if they cannot work, and discretionary grant-funded services like job training or counseling. Others receive only one or two. Your situation depends on your immigration status, how long you have been in the country, and what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay back money from discretionary grants?

No. Discretionary grants fund services, not loans. You do not repay them. If you receive emergency financial information through a discretionary grant, that money is a one-time payment, not a loan.

What if there are no discretionary grant services in my area?

Funding is not evenly distributed across the country. Rural areas and smaller cities may have fewer services than large cities. If services are not available, ask your resettlement agency or local refugee coordinator what alternatives exist — some services may be available through other programs or community organizations, even if they are not specifically funded by discretionary grants.

Can I choose which services I receive?

To some extent. If multiple services are available, you can usually choose which ones you want to use. However, if you are working with a resettlement agency, they may recommend certain services based on your situation. For example, if you do not speak English, they may recommend ESL classes before job training. You can decline services, but accepting them usually helps you move toward self-sufficiency faster.

How long do discretionary grant services last?

It depends on the service. Job training may last three to six months. ESL classes may run for several months or longer. Emergency information is one-time. Mental health counseling may continue for as long as you need it. Ask the organization providing the service how long the program lasts and whether you can continue if you need more time.

Will using discretionary grant services affect my immigration status or benefits?

No. Using services funded by discretionary grants does not change your immigration status or make you ineligible for other benefits. These are services meant to help you, and using them is encouraged, not penalized.