Refugee Cash and Medical Aid Cut to Just 4 Months
Published Date: 3/21/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting 45 days after March 21, 2025, refugees eligible for cash and medical help will get only 4 months of support instead of 12. This change helps the Office of Refugee Resettlement avoid running out of money while still supporting newcomers. Refugees and service providers should prepare for this shorter assistance period.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Refugee cash and medical help cut to 4 months
If you are a refugee applying for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) or Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA), your maximum assistance period is shortened from 12 months to four months starting 45 days after March 21, 2025 (effective May 5, 2025). ORR says it is reducing the period to four months because of current and projected appropriations limits and budget shortfalls.
Change applies only to future eligibles (not current recipients)
You will only be subject to the shortened four-month RCA and RMA period if your date of eligibility for ORR benefits is on or after 45 days after publication (May 5, 2025). Refugees who became eligible before that date remain under the prior eligibility period.
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