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FAQs About These questions address basic information about services provided to refugees after they have arrived in the United States. FAQs on basic information about refugees and the process by which they come to the United States are also available. Click on a question below to view the answer or scroll down to see all the questions and answers.
1. How are refugees assisted upon arrival in the United States? Refugees are placed through LIRS or one of the other national voluntary resettlement agencies through a network of local resettlement partners. Arriving families either join relatives already living in the area or are co-sponsored by a local congregation or organization. The local partner works with the relatives or co-sponsoring group to coordinate initial resettlement services. 2. Where are refugees resettled? 3. What services do new arrivals receive? Through our local resettlement partners, and with the help of relatives, co-sponsors and volunteers, LIRS must assure that arriving refugees are met at the airport and that their basic needs are met. A list of essential material goods is on this page. Essential services include initial housing, referrals to health programs and screenings, registering children in school, and applying for social security cards. Additionally, local affiliates must assure that new arrivals receive an appropriate orientation to their local community and what to expect during the resettlement process. 4. What is the goal of these services? These initial reception and placement services enable refugees to become employed and reach self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. According to an agreement with the Department of State, LIRS sponsors each refugee case and finds co-sponsors, most often local churches and organizations, to assist with material help during the first few months after arrival: rent, food and clothing. They also serve as friends and guides to American culture, helping with transportation to medical appointments, social service appointments, schools and job interviews. Co-sponsorship is not an indefinite commitment, but is a way of helping the refugees in their first months in the United States. Click here to download LIRS's co-sponsorship manual. 6. If I can't commit to helping as a co-sponsor are there other ways I can still help? Yes, there are many ways! You can work with other churches, you can assemble material donations such as cleaning kits, hygiene kits, kitchen or bedroom kits; make donations of furniture and money; or volunteer to help with transportation and many other needs. Each affiliate has a variety of ways individuals and groups can help support refugees. Check out these links for more information:
7. How do co-sponsors and volunteers know what to do? LIRS's local resettlement partners provide extensive orientation to co-sponsors and volunteers. Their staff members are also available on a continuing basis to answer questions and troubleshoot if the need arises. 8. Does someone from the local resettlement agency oversee the activities of sponsors and volunteers? Yes. The local partner is available to provide guidance, answer questions, solve problems and intervene if necessary. The affiliate checks in regularly with those providing any kind of service to refugees. 9. Who else from the resettlement agency will assist the newly arrived refugee? Every arriving refugee case will be assigned a caseworker or case manager who will assist the co-sponsors and refugees in planning and assuring delivery of necessary resettlement services. Other resettlement office staff, particularly specialists such as employment counselors, may assist with the resettlement services as needed. 10. What financial support is available to help refugees initially support themselves? The greatest means of support for new arrivals comes from the contributing assistance of relatives, local co-sponsors and volunteers who assist with the resettlement process. They provide millions of dollars each year in donated goods, services and direct cash assistance. In addition, local partners provide a small amount of cash per new arrival to help offset initial expenses such as rent, food and furnishings. 11. Are there other sources of support for arriving refugees? Yes, some refugees may qualify for the federally funded matching grant program, which encourages employment by providing housing and living grants to participating refugees for up to four months, by which time one or more family members has usually found employment. Refugees may also qualify for federally funded public assistance for the first eight months after arrival in the United States under the Refugee Cash Assistance program. In addition refugees also qualify for Refugee Medical Assistance which pays the costs for many initial health services. The U.S. Department of State funds the national voluntary agencies who in turn fund their local resettlement offices throughout the country to coordinate or provide initial services and make available resettlement grants to refugees. Other programs are funded through the Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS) including the Matching Grant, Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance programs. DHHS also provides funding to states for allocation to refugee service providers. These programs often provide employment services, English language training and services to meet other identified needs of refugees. 13. How do I find out more about these programs? Additional details on the can be found on the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration website, or the Office of Refugee Resettlement website.
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