How Much Is Refugee Cash Assistance? Typical Amounts and What to Expect

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is a short‑term cash benefit for certain newly arrived refugees and similar humanitarian immigrants who do not qualify for other programs like TANF. This overview explains how much people typically receive, what affects the amount, and where to check your exact local benefit level.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; to apply, ask questions about your case, or confirm benefit amounts, you must use official government or resettlement agency channels.

Fast Answer: Typical Refugee Cash Assistance Amounts

RCA is not a single nationwide amount. It is usually set by state or local refugee program offices, often following federal guidelines but adjusted for local costs and budgets.

In many states, RCA monthly amounts are roughly similar to – or slightly lower than – the lowest TANF cash benefit levels for a household of the same size. As a rough reference point (not a guarantee):

These figures are illustrative only. Some states pay less, some pay more, and some counties within a state may have their own schedule. RCA is usually paid for up to 12 months after your date of eligibility (for newer arrivals) or up to 8 months under older rules, but exact rules and payment length depend on federal policy year and state implementation.

To find the real amount for your situation, you will need to check the refugee program or public assistance office in the state and county where you live.

Does Refugee Cash Assistance Apply to Me?

RCA is meant for specific immigration categories that are allowed to work in the U.S. and have humanitarian status, but who do not qualify for TANF or similar programs. While rules vary slightly by state, RCA is typically for:

• Refugees admitted under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
• Asylees (after being granted asylum)
• Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders from Iraq or Afghanistan
• Cuban/Haitian entrants and certain other humanitarian parolees
• Victims of trafficking with eligible documentation

In most states, you may be considered for RCA if:

• You are within the federal eligibility time limit (commonly 12 months from your arrival date, asylum grant date, or eligibility date), and
• You do not qualify for TANF (often because you do not have minor children in the household or do not meet state TANF rules), and
• Your income and resources are below your state’s RCA limits, and
• You comply with employment services or job search requirements, if required.

If you do qualify for TANF, you are usually directed to TANF instead of RCA, because TANF often lasts longer and is the primary cash program for families with children.

What Affects How Much Refugee Cash Assistance You Get?

RCA amounts are usually based on state policy plus your household situation, not on negotiation with a worker. Key factors include:

• State or county benefit schedule: Each state refugee office or public assistance agency sets a payment chart that lists monthly amounts by household size.
• Household size: Bigger households usually receive more total cash, but the amount per person often goes down as household size increases.
• Countable income: If you or a household member has wages or other countable income, your RCA payment is typically reduced according to state rules.
• Other benefits: RCA is separate from food benefits like SNAP, but your total income picture may affect eligibility.
• Living arrangement: In some states, being in certain group housing or being fully supported by a sponsor can reduce or block RCA.

Because benefit levels change over time, assume online numbers older than a year may be outdated and confirm current amounts directly with your local agency.

Quick terms to know

• RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance): Short‑term cash benefit for certain humanitarian immigrants.
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families): Main cash program for low‑income families with dependent children.
• Date of eligibility: The date your 8–12‑month RCA clock usually starts (often arrival date or asylum approval date).
• Resettlement agency: Nonprofit contracted by the federal government to help with initial services; sometimes helps connect you to RCA.

Your Next Steps to Find Your Exact RCA Amount

Because RCA rules and payment charts are set at the state or local level, the only reliable way to know “how much is Refugee Cash Assistance” for you is to contact the correct official office where you live.

Step 1: Identify who handles RCA in your state

RCA is usually administered by one of these types of offices:

• State refugee coordinator / refugee program office
• State or county human services or social services department
• Public assistance office that also manages TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid

To locate the right office:

1. Search for: “[your state] refugee cash assistance” or “[your state] refugee program office”.
2. Look for websites ending in .gov or clearly identified as a state or county human services agency.
3. On the state refugee website, look for links labeled “Refugee Cash Assistance,” “RCA,” “benefit levels,” or “refugee services”.

A helpful national starting point is the Office of Refugee Resettlement under HHS, which maintains contacts for state refugee programs: search for “ORR state contacts” and use the official acf.hhs.gov site.

Step 2: Ask for the current RCA payment chart

Once you find the correct agency, do this next:

1. Call or email the office listed for refugee services or public assistance.
2. Ask specifically: “Can you tell me the current Refugee Cash Assistance payment amounts by household size for this county?”
3. If you have already applied, you can also ask: “How is my RCA amount calculated, including any income deductions?”

What to expect next:

• Many offices will provide a PDF or webpage showing the current RCA benefit amounts.
• Some may ask for your county, immigration category, and household size before giving details.
• If you are already approved, they may explain how they calculated your exact benefit in your notice of action or approval letter.

Step 3: Prepare basic information before you call or visit

Having key details ready often speeds things up and helps you get clearer answers about amounts:

• Full names and dates of birth for all household members
• Immigration documents (I‑94, approval notice, SIV stamp, asylum grant letter, or parole document)
• Date of arrival or eligibility (shown on I‑94 or decision letter)
• Current address and county
• Proof of income, if any (pay stubs, offer letter, self‑employment notes)

A common reason applications get delayed is missing or unclear immigration documents, so make sure copies are legible and show your status and dates.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings Around RCA Payments

Because RCA involves money and immigration status, it is sometimes targeted by scams or misinformation. Keep these points in mind:

• No one can guarantee approval or a specific amount before your case is processed. Be cautious if someone “guarantees” an exact payment for a fee.
• You should not have to pay anyone to increase your RCA amount. Agency workers, resettlement case managers, or accredited legal aid do not charge to make your official payment higher.
• Only give Social Security numbers, A‑numbers, or immigration documents to official government offices or properly identified resettlement agencies and legal providers.
• When in doubt, call the number listed on your state or county human services website (.gov) and ask if a form, letter, or text message you received is official.

If you cannot reach your local refugee or human services office, calling 211 (the nationwide social services information line) can often help you find the correct public agency or refugee program in your area. You can ask: “I’m a refugee/asylee and need to know who handles Refugee Cash Assistance in my county. Can you give me that office’s phone number?”

If Refugee Cash Assistance Is Not Available or Is Too Low

In some situations, people discover they do not qualify for RCA (for example, because they are beyond the eligibility time limit or qualify instead for TANF), or they find that the RCA amount does not cover basic expenses. In those cases, it can help to look at additional supports:

• TANF (for households with minor children) through your state or county human services office.
• SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid or CHIP, often using the same application portal that handles cash assistance in your state.
• Local refugee resettlement agencies, which sometimes offer short‑term rental help, bus passes, or emergency funds funded by charities.
• Workforce or employment programs, often required for RCA, which may help you find work faster and increase total household income.

If an office tells you RCA is unavailable or your benefit is lower than you expected, a simple question to ask is: “Are there any other programs or local funds I should apply for as a refugee/asylee/SIV in this county?”

Once you know which office runs RCA in your area and have asked for the current payment chart, you will have the most accurate answer for how much Refugee Cash Assistance is for your specific household and location.