Guidance for Connecting to Local and State Services: Cuban, Haitian, and

Ukrainian Version

Sponsors of newcomers may be new to welcoming and navigating the often complex world of
benefits and services available to new residents facing challenges in their local area, such as
economic instability. This guide is intended to help familiarize sponsors with the types of
services that may be available for newcomers in their new city or state.

This guide is meant to help sponsors of individuals from Ukraine, Cuba, and Haiti under
USCIS sponsorship programs to find services and support. This guide is not meant to be
exhaustive, and each local community will be different in what it offers newcomers and others in
need of services and benefits, but we hope it helps!

Please note: In May 2022 Congress granted Ukrainians arriving under the similar humanitarian
parole program, called Uniting for Ukraine, additional benefits and services, including access to
refugee benefits. Cuban and Haitians entering the U.S. under humanitarian parole were
similarly made eligible for federal public benefits and refugee benefits through legislation in past
years. Newcomers from Cuba and Haiti who arrive through this expanded pathway are eligible
for the same benefits that Congress made available for those arriving under Uniting for Ukraine.

Sponsors of Venezuelans and Nicaraguans should refer to the guide for those populations.
Sponsors of Ukrainians who arrive after October 1, 2023, can also refer to that guide, as their
eligibility will be similar to Venezuelans and Nicaraguans.

Getting started

Overall, United Way’s 2-1-1 service can be a great place to start to learn about community
resources in your area. It can help connect you with a variety of services in your area.

Ukrainian, Cuban and Haitian humanitarian are eligible for a wide array of federa, state, and
local benefits. This includes federal public benefits, like Medicaid, and benefits and services
funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement and State Refugee Coordinator offices, including
at local resettlement agencies.

As such, you will want to learn more about the programs funded by the Office of Refugee
Resettlement and find out more about programs available for refugees in your state by
searching for your state’s State Refugee Coordinator Office. In many states, this will be in your
Department of Human (or Social) Services, but in some states, it might be at a nonprofit. Find
your state refugee coordinator here.
Local resettlement agencies and other partners also provide case management services to
eligible newcomers. They can be a great resource alongside other partners and agencies listed
in this guide. Your State Refugee Coordinator’s office will have information that will be helpful to
you or find out where refugee resettlement agencies are by checking out this map.

County or state human services departments, local city offices for immigrants, and statewide
offices for new Americans can also be great first stops in your exploration of available services.
You can find these partners through a quick internet search!

Local libraries also have a lot to offer in terms of information about local resources and
programs. We recommend visiting one of the larger libraries in your area to learn more details
about what they offer to the community. You might be surprised by the scope of support offered.

Healthcare

Part of being a sponsor will be to connect individuals to healthcare. Through your work, you will
establish connections with organizations and partners in your local community whose missions
are to make healthcare accessible. It is likely that there are health accessibility and affordability
groups in your state or local community who routinely help individuals navigate healthcare and
health insurance. Ask around!

Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHCs)

● Funded by the federal government to offer affordable health care in communities across
the United States.
● Cannot turn anyone away for an inability to pay or for lack of insurance.
● FQHCs also often have health insurance enrollment specialists who can help
newcomers determine what their insurance options may be.
● Interpretation available, as needed, usually through a language line.

Local public health departments (or agencies)

● Low or no cost resources available to all residents, such as vaccinations or health
screenings (including tuberculosis) and connection to treatment for diseases of public
health concern.

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)

● Low cost health insurance for low-income households.
● Eligibility will differ by state. In states that did not expand Medicaid, the income eligibility
threshold is lower and commonly, adults without dependent children are not eligible.
● CHIP is a federal health insurance plan for children who are a part of low income
households who are yet over-income for Medicaid.

Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)

 ● Time-limited (12 months from eligibility) with a higher income threshold than Medicaid or
CHIP.
● In most states, the Medicaid application will determine whether or not someone is
eligible for Medicaid or RMA.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Healthcare Marketplace

● As part of the ACA health plan application, in most states, the newcomer will also be
screened for other low and no cost health insurance programs, including Medicaid.
Available plans will vary based on your area of residence.
● ACA plans do not have income restrictions.
● Some states have their own health exchanges or marketplaces where you can shop for
healthcare. Residents of other states may access ACA plans through the federal
marketplace.
● There may be health exchange staff that can walk the newcomer through the enrollment
process.

Emergency Medicaid
● Available in all states.
● Covers low-income individuals of any immigration status, including those in humanitarian
parole, in life-threatening situations.
● Emergency Medicaid also covers labor and delivery (but does not cover pre or post natal
care).
● A physician must supply a letter on behalf of the patient that the situation was life-
threatening, and the hospital can usually help their patients navigate the enrollment.
● In some states, Emergency Medicaid also covers additional life-threatening conditions,
such as kidney conditions that require dialysis, and pregnant women.

Healthcare Through an Employer.

● Most newcomers, like most Americans, access healthcare through their employer.
● Newcomers will be able to transition to employer-sponsored healthcare plans; benefits
such as health insurance are always an additional consideration when seeking
employment.

Other Public Health Insurance Plans

● Available public health plans will vary by state.
● Some states have their own health care plans, such as through a public option, for low-
cost insurance.

In complex medical situations, many hospitals have social workers or other positions who help
those with challenges outside the hospital setting, such as with housing or health insurance.

Confused about health insurance? You are not alone. Connecting with resettlement agencies
and nonprofits that help community members navigate these complexities or with enrollment
staff at FQHCs are great places to start.
Education

Every resident, regardless of immigration status, can enroll in the United States’ public school
system for Kindergarten through high school (Grade 12). Some school districts may have
newcomer centers or community school programs that help students transition to a new learning
environment. Many school districts offer school choice, which means newcomer families can
explore what learning environment may be best suited for their student’s strengths and
interests. The local school district (often offices of family or community engagement can be a
good step) will be able to provide more information.

Free and Reduced Lunch

● Offered by some schools.
● Provided to students in the school based on household income; there is no immigration
status requirement. Should this be a benefit provided for a newcomer’s student, school
staff can assist the family with enrollment.

Community Colleges
● Often serve first generation students and in many communities, first generation students
are also immigrants or the children of immigrants.
● Often have college-level classes that train individuals for careers and community
classes, such as English as a Second Language, that do not require college enrollment.
● Often also have services that help evaluate foreign transcripts. These services can help
ensure students do not have to retake classes and can help professionals navigate
recertification processes or apply for occupational licenses as well as tailor job searches
to be in line with their career goals.

Refugee School Impact providers

● Serve refugee newcomers in areas such as cultural adjustment and English learning
● Help parents engage in school
● Learn more from your state refugee coordinator's office

English as a Second Language classes (ESL)

● Funded by federal and state governments.
● Visit your state’s adult education program online (commonly in Departments of
Education) to get a list of providers in your area.
● Learn more from your state refugee coordinator's office.

Employment and Career Training

Community Colleges
● Great place to learn about career training opportunities.
 ● Depending on the program, a newcomer may be able to take advantage of career
training before they have their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
● Offer skills training to assist their students in reskilling and upskilling for in-demand jobs
and industries. These programs often attract both youth and adult learners.
● Oftentimes hold job fairs open to the public.

Local Workforce Centers/American Job Centers

● Offer employment and career training services.
● Some services, such as resume writing and interview assistance, can be accessed even
if a newcomer has yet to receive their work authorization.
● Other services may be available after a newcomer has their EAD, including enrollment
into programs that can help pay for job training, such as for a commercial’s driver's
license (CDL).

Apprenticeship Opportunities
● May provide newcomers to earn income while they learn on the job.
● Many states have recently increased investments in these types of programs and are
expanding their portfolios of apprenticeable occupations.
● Some states also have a state office of apprenticeships, so be sure to check your state’s
department of labor (or workforce services) to learn more.

Refugee employment providers

● Offer employment assistance to newcomers, including Ukrainian beneficiaries without
work authorization
● Providers vary by state but can be resettlement agencies, community colleges, and
employment-focused nonprofits.
● Learn more from your state refugee coordinator's office.
● Find out where refugee resettlement agencies are by checking out this map.

Childcare

Finding high-quality and affordable childcare is a challenge. Many state and county human
service agencies can help newcomer families understand options.

Some newcomers may be eligible for childcare financial assistance. Find more information
about this assistance, and options for childcare, here.

Head Start and Early Head Start

● Provide low-income families with free learning and development services for their
children from birth to age 5.

Public Benefits
Like health insurance, public benefits can be hard to navigate. Many states, however, have
developed online application systems that determine eligibility for a variety of programs. State
and county human services (or social services) offices have eligibility specialists, and there are
often non profit organizations that assist residents in navigating the complexities. There are
many reasons that someone may not ultimately be eligible for a program, such as household
composition or income levels, and yet, people apply all the time. You do not need to know
whether the newcomer your group is supporting will be eligible for a program to apply!

Federal Public Benefits Programs

● Administered by the state (or the county).
● Each federal public benefit program has its own eligibility rules. For example, in some
states, SNAP (or food stamps) income eligibility is at 200% of the federal poverty level,
while Medicaid in the same state is at 138%.
● Many states require as part of an application newcomers submit evidence of submission
of an application to the Social Security Administration for a Social Security number.
Keep this application handy after the newcomer applies for a Social Security Number.
● There are many federal public benefits that are less known but which provide important
supports such as:
○ Low-Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households
meet their energy needs during the winter months. Importantly, this program
determines eligibility for the household based on just one household member’s
eligibility.
○ Womens, Infant and Children (WIC) supports nutritional needs of pregnant and
postpartum women as well as their young children.

States may also have state-funded benefit programs, some of which mirror or expand federal
benefits for different populations, including newcomers.

Refugee Benefits
● Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is a time-limited (12 months from date of eligibility/date
of arrival) program that supports eligible newcomers.
● In some states, it is administered by state or county human or social services offices. In
others, refugee resettlement agencies distribute the funds.
● Learn more from your state refugee coordinator's office.

Other Services

State IDs
● To apply for a State ID, go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office. Many
DMVs have modernized recently that allow for some services (like scheduling
appointments) to be completed online. Check their websites first!
● State IDs do not require testing.
 ● Most newcomers will want to apply for a State ID quickly so that they have a form of
identification widely recognized in local communities.

Drivers License
● To apply for a driver’s license, newcomers should visit the local Department of Motor
Vehicles office. Require applicants to pass written and driving tests; these tests, and any
learning permit requirements, will vary state to state. Many states allow for interpretation
of the written exam.
● Some states allow individuals without social security numbers to apply for driver's
licenses, and some do not. If the newcomer resides in a state which requires a social
security number, they may need to receive one before applying for a drivers license.
Immigrant rights groups operating in your state will know whether or not you reside in a
state where drivers licenses are available for all.

Banking
● Some large banks require a Social Security number before they will allow a newcomer to
open an account. Credit unions are often more flexible and can be a great choice.

Refugee Services
● The Office of Refugee Resettlement funds resettlement agencies and other partners, like
workforce training programs, across the nation.
● States also have federal funds from the Office of Refugee Resettlement to support
services, including services for older adults, health promotion activities, mental health
supports, legal services, and much more.
● Learn more from your state refugee coordinator's office.