What types of benefits are refugees eligible for? Refugees, provided they meet income guidelines, are eligible for a variety of benefits. Some of these benefits include Food Stamps (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA), and Medicaid. Temporary Assistance is a cash and rent assistance program to help struggling families pay their rent. There is no set amount of benefits a refugee family can or will receive. The Department of Social Services calculates family eligibility based on a number of factors including: family size, family income, assets, resources, etc. Even two families of the same size might receive different benefits. Therefore, a refugee family must rely on their DSS case worker to determine the type and scope of benefits they will receive. View income eligibility for food stamps by county here. How can I help a refugee maintain their benefits through the Department of Social Services? If you are unfamiliar with forms from the DSS or are uncomfortable with completing them, please call USCRI Albany to see if the refugee you are assisting is enrolled in a program at the USCRI office. It is possible that the refugee’s USCRI case manager can assist them with the form. These forms can be complicated and are difficult to navigate. If you are inexperienced with applying or re-certifying for benefits, it is best to seek the help of USCRI Albany or a DSS case worker.
Make sure the refugee you are assisting opens ALL of their mail from the Department of Social Services in a timely fashion. DSS will often send important notices and the refugee family must know if they have a meeting or need to re-certify. If they are limited English proficient, read through the letter and help them understand why the DSS has contacted them. All requests for meetings or information from the DSS will have a deadline date for a response. It is very important that refugees respond by that deadline, or their case will be closed.
Refugees MUST go to all their scheduled meetings with their DSS caseworker. If they do not, their case could be closed. DSS will send notice of these meetings via mail. The refugee should be there 30 minutes before the meeting to ensure they have enough time to reach the window and ask for their caseworker.
Refugees MUST provide all requested material to the DSS. This type of paperwork could include pay stubs, birth certificates, leases, bank accounts, etc. DSS will send requests for information via mail. If the refugee does not submit requested materials, their case could be closed. How can I help a refugee check their benefits? The refugee will have a blue EBT card which they use for Food Stamps and Medicaid. On the back of the card, there is a number you can call to conveniently check the last purchases and deposits on the card. The refugee I'm helping does not speak English fluently. How can I help them navigate DSS? Federal Health and Human Services regulations require providers who receive federal funds to provide the services of a qualified interpreter to patients/clients who are not fluent in English. Therefore, the DSS is obligated under law to provide clients with language services. As the client must request this service themselves, an easy way to help is to write the refugee a note requesting an interpreter for all meetings which they can provide to the DSS. Can I speak on behalf of a refugee on issues involving the Department of Social Services? Yes, but only if you have obtained a signed release form or letter from the refugee to give to the DSS.
Help! I know a refugee whose DSS case is being closed. What do I do? While this is a difficult problem many refugees face, it can be solved. If the refugee has informed you their case is closed, they have ten days to call the case worker to try reopening the case. Cases can be closed for a variety of reasons and sometimes these issues can be resolved with one simple phone call. If the case has been closed for more than 10 days, the refugee will unfortunately have to reapply for benefits.
How can I help my refugee friend schedule a fair hearing? Everyone who receives benefits from the Department of Social Services has the right to a fair hearing in the event their DSS case is closed or their benefits are changed. A fair hearing involves a third party who will look over the details of the case to determine whether or not the case should be reopened or the benefits adjusted. For more information about fair hearings click here. A refugee I know is experiencing a household change (new job, moving, birth of a child, change in household composition), should we tell DSS? Yes. The Department of Social Services should always be informed when changes occur in the refugees household, as they will amend their benefits based on these changes. For example, if a refugee family invites another person to come live with them in their home, they must inform DSS. If a refugee you know has recently obtained a job, DSS must be notified immediately. The refugee should bring their pay stubs to their case worker as proof of employment. Additionally, if a refugee you know is moving, the refugee must tell DSS about their new housing and address.