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Refugee Assistance

MIBridges Check Eligibility buttonThe Refugee Assistance Program is a federally funded program which helps persons admitted into the U.S. as refugees to become self-sufficient after their arrival. Temporary refugee cash assistance and refugee medical assistance is available to eligible refugees who do not qualify for cash assistance (through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program), Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid.

Refugee cash and medical assistance is available for up to eight months after entry into the U.S. Employment services, health screenings and foster care services for unaccompanied minors are other programs available to refugees.

Eligibility for refugee cash and medical assistance is available for up to eight months after entry into the U.S., or date asylum was granted, if you have one of the following immigration statuses: 

  • Refugee or Asylee.
  • Cuban/Haitian entrant.
  • Amerasian.
  • Parolee.
  • Victim of trafficking.
  • Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrant VISA (SIV) holders.
  • U-Visa holders.

Immigration status is determined by officials from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

Eligibility 

Asset Limits  Income  Residency Requirements 

Effective 12/1/19 the cash asset limit for Refugee Cash Assistance is $15,000 and $3,000 for Refugee Medical Assistance. Assets are cash or any property you own.

Assets include:

  • Cash on hand
  • Bank and credit union accounts
  • Investments
  • Retirement plans
  • Trusts
  • Property or real estate (asset limit is $200,000)

Assets such as your vehicles and personal belongings are not counted. 

Most earned and unearned income is counted. Income is considered when determining the amount of assistance you are eligible for. 

Examples of countable income are:

  • Wages
  • Self-employment earnings
  • Rental income
  • Child support
  • Social Security benefits
  • Veterans benefits

The following residency requirements apply: 

  • Must live in Michigan
  • Must not be receiving cash assistance from any other state.

 

Additional information about Michigan's refugee program and services can be found at Global Michigan