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Welfare Aid

The United States provides limited welfare aid to Ukrainian arrivals. The main programs are discussed below.

Who is Eligible for Aid

Ukrainian humanitarian parolees with no or low income who arrived between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024 (including people who were paroled at the Mexican or Canadian border and people who arrived under the Uniting for Ukraine program) are entitled to federal benefits to the same extent as refugees. These benefits include free government-funded health insurance Medicaid, cash assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, and resettlement services through resettlement agencies. These programs are more fully described below.

The aid is generally provided for the term of the humanitarian parole so long as the applicant meets the income qualifications of the aid programs. If a person admitted to the U.S. on humanitarian parole applies and receives TPS, this person will not lose their aid because of the change of status and will continue to receive the aid until the end of their parole term.

Ukrainians who arrived under Uniting For Ukraine after September 30, 2024 may be eligible to limited welfare aid, depending on the state of residence (document in Russian).

Ukrainians in TPS status without the underlying humanitarian parole are ineligible for welfare aid. Certain categories of people (mostly pregnant women and children) may be eligible for Medicaid.

Description of Welfare Programs

Medicaid (aka Medi-Cal in California)

Medicaid is government-funded health insurance for low-income individuals and families.

Medicaid covers all necessary medical services free of charge for you, including doctor visits, diagnostic tests, emergency room visits, treatment of chronic conditions, hospitalization and prescription medication. The coverage of dental services varies by state. Medicaid may retroactively cover up to 3 month of past medical expenses. See more at the Health Insurance page.  

Nine states (AL, FL, GA, KS, MS, SC, TN, TX, and WY) restrict Medicaid availability for childless non-disabled adults aged 19 to 64.

TANF (aka CalWORKs in California)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is cash aid to families with minor children and pregnant women. The amount of cash you can receive under TANF varies state by state and depends on your family size. You can receive TANF money via check, on your EBT card or via direct deposit in your bank account.

TANF program is meant to be temporary, until you find your next employment and become self-sufficient again. If you are receiving TANF assistance, the state typically requires that you actively look for a job, attend school that helps you get employed or otherwise participate in employment-promoting activities 20-30 hours per week. You can receive an exemption from this requirement in some cases, for example, if you have a newborn child or are caregiver to a disabled family member.

Many states run other assistance programs as part of TANF, including homelessness prevention programs and child care assistance programs. Inquire at your welfare agency about available services. 

Women, Infants and Children Aid (WIC)

WIC (short for Women, Infants and Children) program provides supplemental healthy foods and health screenings for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5. Unlike the above-mentioned programs for which you can apply though your county welfare agency, you should apply for WIC via your state’s WIC website or by calling a toll-free number.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is financial aid for people aged 65 or older, blind or disabled. In 2024, the maximum monthly amount of SSI on the federal level is $943 per person, or $1,415 per couple where both spouses are eligible. Some states pay additional sums out of their own budget. Apply for SSI at the Social Security Administration office. You will need your passport, I-94, and Social Security Number.

Resettlement Services

Aside from the above-mentioned mainstream benefits, Ukrainians may qualify for refugee resettlement assistance, which includes assistance with employment, rent, ESL classes and immigration forms. Inquire about these additional services at your closest resettlement agency.

How to Apply

You can apply for Medicaid and TANF online, at the closest resettlement agency or at your county welfare agency:

Bring with you your passport, form I-94 (if you did not receive I-94 at the border, you can print it online), a proof of residence in your county (any official letter showing your name and address, a utility bill in your name, a rental agreement, or a letter from the owner of the house saying that you live there), and your Social Security Number. If you do not yet have a Social Security Number, bring proof that you have applied for it, such as a receipt from the Social Security Administration or a copy of form I-765 with a Receipt Notice confirming its acceptance by USCIS .

If you were not interviewed at the agency upon submitting your application, look out for a call from a social worker who will conduct a phone interview with you.

All welfare agencies provide interpreters. Request an interpreter in the office or at the beginning of the telephone interview if you don’t speak English.

If You Have a Supporter under Uniting for Ukraine

Neither the income of your supporter, nor the help your supporter provides to you matter for purposes of your eligibility for welfare aid.

If the social worker asks you about the income of your “sponsor,” explain that you do not have a sponsor who signed form 864 (a stricter form for family immigration cases where the sponsor takes full financial responsibility for their relative). Rather, your supporter signed form I-134, which is not binding on your supporter, and under AUSAA, your supporter’s income does not matter for your eligibility for welfare aid.

If You Received a Denial

If you received a denial, don’t give up. Social workers are humans and often make mistakes, especially when dealing with new laws. They may also be not very good at communicating. You can:

  • Check with the welfare agency and find out the reason for the denial. Normally, the welfare agency will send you a letter explaining the reasons. If you have not received a letter, ask for it.
  • If the denial is because you did not provide required documents, you can submit these documents and ask to re-open your case or open a new one.
  • Appeal the denial. Appeals are handled an administrative judge, who will reverse the mistake if there is one. See How to appeal a denial.

Print the following documents and show them to the social worker:

Frequently Asked Questions

General
Eligibility
Application
EBT Card

Will my supporter have to repay the welfare assistance I get?

No. The U.S. government has allocated federal funds to aid Ukrainian parolees in resettling in the United States. While your supporter undertakes responsibility to ensure your necessities are met, his or her assistance and the government’s assistance are complementary, and your supporter will not have to repay those benefits.

If I receive welfare assistance, can it later affect my application for a change of status?

No, welfare assistance granted to Ukrainians under the Uniting for Ukraine program has no impact on any future change of status.

Do I have to report how I spend my cash assistance?

No.

Will I keep my benefits if I move to another city or state?

Welfare benefits are typically administered on the county level. If you move to another county within the same state, you need to notify social services in the new county, and they will help you transfer your case to the new county.

If you move to another state, you have to close your benefits case at the social services in your former state and open a new case in your new state. You cannot receive benefits in two states at a time. If you do not close your case in your old state, your application in the new state will be denied. Keep in mind that Medicaid/RMA health insurance does not cover any out of state services except for emergency treatment.

Why do I receive less aid than another person or family I know?

The amounts of cash aid and food stamps are calculated on a case-by-case basis and may depend on your county, family size, income, resources and living arrangements. If someone you know receives a different amount of benefits, it is likely because their situation is different than yours.

You are entitled to know how your amount of benefits was calculated, and your county social services agency usually sends you a letter with this calculation when your benefits are approved. If you did not receive the letter or do not understand the calculation, ask your social worker for more information.

A social worker said I have to work or study in order to continue receiving aid, can I forego this requirement?

If you receive cash assistance, you are typically required to work or participate in job search, training or other employment-promoting activities 20-30 hours per week. The social services agency can assist you in finding a your first job or refer you to courses or English language classes if that would help you get employed. The goal is to help your family become self-sufficient. If you refuse to participate in these activities, your cash aid may be discontinued.

You can receive an exemption from this requirement in some cases, for example, if you are a senior, have a newborn child or are a caregiver to a disabled family member.

Am I eligible for welfare assistance even if my supporter provides food and housing for me?

What is considered “income” that I have to report to social services?

What is income: your wages; money you receive from renting out your property; revenues, distributions or dividends from your share in a business; pensions; disability benefits; SSI. Most of the time, income is regular.

What is not income: occasional gifts or donations from family, friends or charities; money from one-time sale of your property (such as your car); savings. This money would be considered resources.

If I brought my savings in cash and put them in a bank, will that affect my benefits?

Each state has its own rules about whether your resources such as cash count towards your eligibility for benefits, which benefits, and what the disqualifying amounts are. You can often find these rules on your social services agency’s website or ask your social worker.

If your state has a resource limit for certain benefit, the location of that resource usually does not matter so long as it is available to you. For example, if your state has a rule that cash in the amount of $10,000 disqualifies you from receiving cash assistance, you would be disqualified whether you keep $10,000 in an American bank, Ukrainian bank or at home in cash.

If I buy a car, does that affect my benefits?

Each state has its own rules about the effect of owning car on benefits. Usually, the value of the car up until certain amount does not count towards your eligibility for benefits, but that amount is different in every state. Ask your social worker about your state rules.

Will I lose free health insurance and other benefits if I find a job?

Not necessarily. Welfare benefits are calculated based on your income level vis-à-vis your household needs. If your income is low or you have a large family, you may have a job and receive welfare benefits. 

Your benefits approval letter indicates an income reporting threshold – when your household income reaches that level, you must report to the social services, and they will reevaluate your eligibility and amounts of your benefits.

If you are no longer entitled to free health insurance based on your income, you may nevertheless be entitled to subsidized (cheap) private health insurance if your income is not very high. For more information, see Health Insurance.

Who can help me fill out the benefits application?

In some states, benefits applications may be available in Russian or Ukrainian languages and be pretty self-explanatory. In other states, they may be available in English-only and be confusing. If you are not sure how to apply, ask your supporter or family member to help you. 

If you don’t have anyone nearby, you can get help completing your application at the social services office. Social workers are obligated to help applicants with their applications.

Another option is to contact your closest resettlement agency – most of them assist Ukrainians with applications for benefits and work authorization.

I was asked to provide a Social Security Number, but I don’t have it yet. What can I do?

Social services may ask for your Social Security Number (SSN) or a proof that you’ve applied for one. It is recommended to apply for an SSN at the Social Security Administration first, and then apply for benefits. Even if you have not received your SSN yet, a receipt from the Social Security Administration showing that they’ve accepted your SSN application should be sufficient for the social services to process your application for benefits.

A social worker asked me to provide information about my sponsor’s income. Do I have to?

How long does it take for my application for benefits to be approved?

Where can I see my EBT card balance?

Your EBT card balance is printed on the receipt when you pay with your card at the store. Most states also have benefits portals where you can check the status of your benefits and the balance on your EBT card. There are various mobile apps, too, such as Providers, ConnectEBT or ebtEDGE.

If I don’t spend the balance on the EBT card, does it expire the next month?

No, your balance will transfer to the next month.

Where can I withdraw cash from the EBT card?

You can withdraw cash assistance at most mainstream bank ATMs. If the ATM has logo QUEST on it, it accepts EBT cards. Some ATMs may have withdrawal limits per transaction and/or charge a fee.

You cannot withdraw food stamps money from an EBT card.

Can I use my EBT card in another state?

Yes. You can pay with your EBT card in almost any state you travel to. However, note that you may face issues with cash withdrawal in another state’s ATMs.

If you move to another state to live there, you have to close your benefits case in your old state and open a new one in the new state.

My EBT card was hacked and money stolen, what should I do?

Contact the social services immediately by calling the number on the card or coming in person. They will help you report the incident and restore the money.

EBT fraud is very common! Do not keep your cash assistance money on the EBT card – either withdraw it quickly after it’s deposited or request a direct deposit in your bank account at the social services.