Resources for Refugees

If you are a refugee or an asylum seeker in the United States, you may face many challenges and difficulties in adjusting to your new life. You may need help with finding a safe and affordable place to live, getting a job, accessing health care, enrolling in school, learning English, and understanding your legal rights and responsibilities.

Fortunately, there are many organizations and programs that can provide you with assistance and support. On this page, you will find some useful resources and information that can help you with your resettlement and integration process.

Education

Education is important for your personal and professional development. You may want to continue your education, learn new skills, or get a degree or certification that is recognized in the United States. You may also want to help your children enroll in school and succeed academically.

Here are some resources that can help you with your educational goals:

  • The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) offers various programs and services to help refugees access and complete education and training opportunities. These include the Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program, which helps refugees save money for education expenses; the Microenterprise Development program, which provides training and loans for refugees who want to start or expand their own businesses; and the Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program (RAPP), which supports refugees who are interested in farming and gardening. You can learn more about these programs on the ORR website.
  • The U.S. Department of Education provides information and guidance on how to enroll in school, apply for financial aid, transfer foreign credentials, and access adult education and English language learning programs. You can visit the Department of Education website for more information.
  • The Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) offers online courses and materials to help refugees learn about various aspects of life in the United States, including education. You can access these resources on the CORE website.
  • The Institute of International Education (IIE) administers several scholarship and fellowship programs for refugees and displaced students who want to pursue higher education in the United States or other countries. You can find out more about these opportunities on the IIE website.

Employment

Employment is essential for your economic self-sufficiency and well-being. You may want to find a job that matches your skills, interests, and qualifications. You may also want to improve your employability by gaining new skills, experience, and credentials.

Here are some resources that can help you with your employment needs:

  • The ORR also offers various programs and services to help refugees find and retain employment. These include the Matching Grant (MG) program, which provides intensive case management, employment services, and cash assistance to help refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency within 120 to 180 days of arrival; the Refugee Career Pathways (RCP) program, which helps refugees with professional backgrounds obtain licenses, certifications, and employment in their fields; and the Refugee Social Services (RSS) program, which funds state and local agencies to provide employment-related services to eligible refugees. You can learn more about these programs on the ORR website.
  • The U.S. Department of Labor provides information and resources on how to prepare for, find, and keep a job in the United States. You can access these resources on the Department of Labor website.
  • The Upwardly Global is a nonprofit organization that helps skilled immigrants and refugees rebuild their careers in the United States. They offer online training, mentoring, networking, and job placement services to help you overcome barriers and achieve your professional goals. You can register for their services on the Upwardly Global website.
  • The Welcoming America is a nonprofit organization that works with communities across the country to create more inclusive and welcoming environments for immigrants and refugees. They offer tools, resources, and best practices to help employers hire, retain, and advance immigrant and refugee workers. You can access these resources on the Welcoming America website.

Health

Health is important for your physical and mental well-being. You may need help with accessing health care services, finding

a health care provider, getting a health insurance, or taking care of your physical and mental health.

Here are some resources that can help you with your health needs:

  • The ORR funds several programs and services to help refugees access and improve their health and well-being. These include the Refugee Health Promotion (RHP) program, which provides health education and orientation to refugees; the Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) program, which provides temporary health insurance to eligible refugees who are not eligible for Medicaid; and the Services for Survivors of Torture (SOT) program, which supports organizations that provide comprehensive care to survivors of torture and their families. You can learn more about these programs on the ORR website.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and guidance on various health topics that affect immigrants, refugees, and migrants. These include infectious diseases, immunizations, mental health, chronic diseases, environmental health, and emergency preparedness. You can access these information on the CDC website.
  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides information and resources on how to prevent and treat substance abuse and mental health issues. You can access these resources on the SAMHSA website. You can also call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free and confidential treatment referral and information.
  • The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) offers various health and wellness initiatives for refugees. These include the Refugee Health Services program, which supports and develops health education and screening programs for refugees; the Healthy Living Toolkit , which provides information and tips on nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and chronic disease prevention; and the Healthy Women Healthy Families program, which promotes maternal and child health among refugee women. You can access these resources on the USCRI website.

Housing and Resettlement

Housing and resettlement are important for your safety and stability. You may need help with finding a suitable and affordable place to live, furnishing your home, paying your rent and utilities, understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and connecting with your neighbors and community.

Here are some resources that can help you with your housing and resettlement needs:

  • The ORR funds various programs and services to help refugees with their housing and resettlement needs. These include the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program, which provides temporary cash assistance to eligible refugees who are not eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the Refugee Social Services (RSS) program, which funds state and local agencies to provide services such as housing assistance, transportation assistance, interpretation services, cultural orientation, and community integration to eligible refugees; and the Targeted Assistance Program (TAP) , which provides employment-related services to refugees in areas of high refugee concentration. You can learn more about these programs on the ORR website.
  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides information and resources on how to find, rent, buy, or maintain a home in the United States. You can access these resources on the HUD website. You can also call the HUD Housing Counseling Line at 1-800-569-4287 for free advice on housing issues.
  • The Welcoming America also offers tools, resources, and best practices to help communities create more inclusive and welcoming environments for immigrants and refugees. They offer tools, resources, and best practices to help communities create more inclusive and welcoming environments for immigrants and refugees. You can access these resources on the Welcoming America website.

Legal

Legal issues are important for your rights and responsibilities. You may need help with applying for citizenship, adjusting your immigration status, obtaining a work authorization, renewing your documents, or seeking legal protection or representation.

Here are some resources that can help you with your legal needs:

  • The ORR funds several programs and services to help refugees with their legal needs. These include the Refugee Support Services (RSS) program, which funds state and local agencies to provide legal services to eligible refugees; the Refugee School Impact (RSI) program, which funds school districts to provide educational and legal services to refugee children and youth; and the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) program, which provides foster care and other services to refugee children who are in the United States without a parent or guardian. You can learn more about these programs on the ORR website.