The California Department of Social Services has issued new guidance about eligibility for federal benefits for Humanitarian Parolees from Ukraine. This guidance supersedes ACIN I-40-22 for federal benefits.
Ukranians and Non-Ukranian individuals paroled into the United States because of the war between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 are eligible for CalWORKs, CalFresh, MediCal, SSI, and Refugee Cash Assistance and Office of Refugee Resettlement programs.
A spouse, or child of an Ukranian or Non-Ukranian individuals paroled into the United States because of the war between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 is eligible for CalWORKs, CalFresh, MediCal, SSI, and Office of Refugee Resettlement programs.
A parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of an unaccompanied refugee minor or an unaccompanied child who is an Ukranian or Non-Ukranian individuals paroled into the United States because of the war between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 is eligible for CalWORKs, CalFresh, MediCal, SSI, and Office of Refugee Resettlement programs.
These individual are eligible for benefits until the end of their parole term.
People who adjust their status from humanitarian parolee to Temporary Protected Status are eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance and Office of Refugee Resettlement programs until the end of their parole term after they have exhausted 12 months of Refugee Cash Assistance, whichever is first. People who enter as Temporary Protected Status without humanitarian parole are ineligible for benefits.
For Refugee Cash Assistance, Ukranians and Non-Ukranian individuals paroled into the United States because of the war between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023, the state date for Refugee Cash Assistance is May 21, 2022 or the date of parole, whichever is later. Eligibility for Refugee Cash Assistance is extended to 12 months.
For CalWORKs, submitting the Form I-765 is sufficient verification that the client has met their obligation to apply for a Social Security Number. If the applicant does not complete the application for a Social Security Number within 30 days of applying, the county will determine if the client has good cause for not having a Social Security Number. Counties must help the client get verification.
For child support cooperation, counties must inform families of their right to request good cause for non-cooperation. The circumstances of people from Ukraine may be good cause for non-cooperation.
For Ukranians and Non-Ukranian individuals paroled into the United States because of the war between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023, income and resources of a sponsor and a sponsor’s spouse who lives with the sponsor do not count in determining CalWORKs eligibility.
For Ukranians and Non-Ukranian individuals paroled into the United States because of the war between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 can be eligible for Homeless Assistance and Housing Support Program. Homeless Assistance and Housing Support Program can be used to supplement federal refugee resettlement funds.
For CalFresh, Ukranians and Non-Ukranian individuals paroled into the United States because of the war between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 are eligible for CalFresh to the same extent as refugees. They are eligible effective May 21, 2022. Counties should reach out to people denied under prior policy to inform them that they now may be eligible. For CalFresh, the household must verify that they have applied for a Social Security Number or show good cause for failure to provide a Social Security Number.
Ukranians and Non-Ukranian individuals paroled into the United States because of the war between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2023 may be eligible for SSI. Counties should issue Refugee Cash Assistance until SSI is granted.
Ukranian Humanitarian Parolees who entered the United States prior to February 24, 2022 are not eligible for Refugee Case Assistance or SSI. (ACWDL, July 6, 2022, chart corrected by ACWDL, July 22, 2022.)