Overview: As of Sept. 30, 2021, all Afghan evacuees, including those with humanitarian parole status, are eligible to receive refugee resettlement services, entitlement benefits and all services to the same extent as refugees, as issued in the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act. Division C of this legislation authorizes citizens or nationals of Afghanistan and their spouses or children, as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1101(b), who are paroled into the United States between July 31, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2022, to receive public assistance benefits, resettlement assistance and other services available to refugees, until March 31, 2023 or the end of their parole term, whichever is later. Additionally, if the parolee is an unaccompanied child, as defined under 6 U.S.C. 279(g)(2), they are eligible to apply for the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor program.
What resettlement services are Afghan arrivals eligible to receive?
Through Operation Allies Refuge, arriving Afghan individuals and families will be eligible for initial resettlement services through the Afghan Parolee Assistance program. This is a program administered with the local refugee resettlement agencies through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State. Initial resettlement services will last for a minimum of 30 days and can be extended for up to 90 days. These services include securing and furnishing affordable housing and providing food and basic necessities. Resettlement case managers will assist families in applying for social security cards, accessing health screening and other necessary health services, applying for public benefits, connecting with social services and English language instruction, enrolling in employment services, registering children in school and accessing immigration legal services. They will also provide basic cultural orientation.
The table below outlines the different programs and eligibility based on Afghan immigration status.
|
Program |
Afghan SIV or Afghan SI/SQ Parolees |
Afghan Humanitarian Parolees |
|---|---|---|
|
Refugee Resettlement Agency support |
Eligible Reception and Placement |
Eligible Afghan Parolee Support |
|
Programs funded by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement |
Eligible |
Eligible |
|
Washington cash and food programs
|
Eligible |
Eligible |
|
Apple Health (Medicaid)* |
Eligible |
Eligible |
|
Refugee Health Screening
|
Eligible |
Eligible |
Sources and Information
- Benefits Processes Training, December 16, 2021, 01:00PM - 02:30PM
To watch the video recording visit here.
- DSHS - Department of Licensing Identity Verification Process Webinar, December 06, 2021, 01:00PM - 02:00PM
To watch the video recording visit here.