Asylee Eligibility for Assistance and Services Through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) - October 2012 Revised

Sep 19, 2026

This handout explains eligibility for benefits and services available through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) for individuals granted asylum in the United States. It describes ORR-funded programs such as cash and medical assistance, employment preparation and job placement, and English language training, and clarifies that eligibility periods may be limited (including 8 months for certain assistance and 5 years for other ORR programs). It also outlines key benefits including work authorization, protections against unfair employment practices, derivative asylum status for certain family members, and steps for obtaining an unrestricted Social Security card.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Asylee Eligibility for Assistance and Services Through ORR

Eligibility period for ORR benefits

ORR programs and where to get help

Key benefits and responsibilities

Employment Authorization

Immigration related unfair employment practices

Derivative asylum status

Social Security cards

Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT Asylee Eligibility for Assistance and Services Through the Office of Refugee Resettlement Am I eligible to receive benefits through the Office of Refugee Resettlement? If you have been granted asylum in the United States, you may be eligible to receive assistance and services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) . ORR funds and administers programs to help refugees, asylees and other special populations restart their lives in the United States. Programs include cash and medical assistance, employment preparation and job placement, and English language training. Who runs these programs? These programs are run by state and private agencies in various locations throughout the United States. Each state may have different programs available. To find out what is available and where togo for assistance and services in your state, please sign on to the ORR website at [www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr](www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr). What is the eligibility period for these benefits? You may only receive certain assistance and services for a limited period of time. Asylees may apply to receive refugee cash and medical assistance for 8 months beginning on the date that they are granted asylum. When you go to the benefits office to apply, you will need to bring proof that you have been granted asylum and proof of the date on which you were granted asylum. In addition to proving that you are an asylee, there are other requirements that you must fulfill in order to receive this assistance. These will be explained to you when you go to apply. The eligibility period for other ORR programs is normally 5 years. Am I eligible for any other benefits? Along with ORR assistance and services, you may be eligible for other benefits programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. When you go to the benefits office, ask to learn about all of the assistance and services that may be available to you. Revised October 2012 You have been granted asylum. Asylum status carries certain benefits and responsibilities, some of which are described below. BENEFITS 1. Employment Authorization: You are authorized to work in the United States for as long as you remain in asylum status. Your dependents are also authorized to work in the United States, so long as they retain derivative asylum status. In order to work in the United States, every employee must show a prospective employer certain documentation as proof of employment authorization. That proof may consist of, among other things, an unrestricted social security card and a state-issued driver’s license. It may also consist of an unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) . For a list of all documents that can be accepted by an employer as proof of employment authorization, consult the USCIS Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, available on the USCIS website at [http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm](http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm. You and any qualifying dependents)[. You and any qualifying dependents](http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm. You and any qualifying dependents) are each entitled to immediately receive an EAD issued by USCIS. To obtain an EAD, visit or make an appointment at your nearest USCIS district office. Bring your copy of the immigration judge’s order or the Board of Immigration Appeals decision granting asylum and some form of identification. Request an I-94 card at the same time as the EAD. 2. Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices: You may be the victim of unlawful discrimination if you are refused hire, or are fired, because you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. You may also be subject to unlawful discrimination if an employer refuses to accept your unrestricted

FAQs

Who may be eligible for ORR assistance and services?

Individuals granted asylum in the United States may be eligible for assistance and services through ORR. ORR also supports refugees and other special populations with restarting their lives in the United States.

How long can an asylee receive ORR benefits?

Some assistance and services are limited in duration. Asylees may apply for refugee cash and medical assistance for 8 months from the date asylum is granted, while eligibility for other ORR programs is normally 5 years.

What documents are typically needed to obtain employment authorization?

To work, an employee must provide proof of employment authorization, which may include an unrestricted Social Security card and a state-issued driver’s license, or an unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by USCIS. The handout also directs recipients to bring the immigration judge’s order or Board of Immigration Appeals decision granting asylum and some form of identification to obtain the EAD.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Emma Wilson