Resources that Refugees can access themselves or those assisting them would find helpful. In addition to the resources listed below, you can find information on the topics (sub-pages):
General Resources
MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help.
United Way 2-1-1 Trained information specialists and volunteers can connect you to over 40,000 community resources. Just dial 2-1-1. Cell phone users can call 651-291-0211
Public Assistance
Step 1. Obtaining Identification Documents
I-94 Card. The I-94 card, also known as an “Arrival Departure Record,” conveys legal alien status. It contains important information: name spelling, date of arrival, point of entry, birth date, and alien ID number. A refugee’s card will be stamped to indicate he has legal refugee status in the U.S. and that he is eligible to work. The stamp proving refugee status also verifies that this individual has undergone extensive background checks by the Department of State and has been cleared criminally and medically to enter the U.S. Oftentimes, a refugee’s 1-94 card is his only form of identification for his first few weeks in the United States. The card should not be altered in any way (e.g. laminated or folded).
Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card). This document proves that a refugee is legally allowed to work in the United States; in other words, it is a work permit. The EAD card also serves as a valid photo ID until a Minnesota State ID can be acquired. Refugees applied for EAD cards before entry into the U.S., and the document should come to the WRM office within one month of arrival. These cards expire after 1 year and are very expensive to replace or renew; therefore, it is best to apply for a Minnesota State ID as soon as possible.
Social Security Card. Each of our clients is required to apply for their Social Security card within the first 5 business days after they arrive in the US. Applications are available at World Relief and can be filled out in advance, or they can be picked up at the Social Security office and filled out there. Appointments are not required, but we always recommend that families try to go as early in the morning as possible in order to avoid long lines and wait times.
Anyone applying for their first Social Security Card (including newly arrived refugees) must apply at this address:
Social Security Administration
1811 Chicago Ave. S., Suite 2
Minneapolis, MN 55404
- Everyone who is 11 years old and older must be present to apply for SS cards.
- Use World Relief Minnesota’s address for mailing SS cards (1515 E. 66th St., Richfield, MN 55423 – don’t use ‘in care of’).
- Ask for letter of receipt for each person. They need this receipt to register for other programs.
Documents families should bring when applying for Social Security Cards:
- I-94 Cards – this is a small white card that includes the client’s name, birth date, the day they entered the US and their Alien Identification Number. Clients should spell their names on their SS card application just as they are spelled on their I-94 card (if the client tells you there are significant differences in the spellings or name orders, contact their World Relief case manager.) Also, use the client’s birthday listed on their I-94 card. One IMPORTANT note: I-94’s list birth dates differently than they are listed in the US:
I-94s = (Day/Month/Year)
SS application calls for = (Month/Date/Year)
- Assurance Paper (with passport style photos attached) – The assurance paper is a document every family receives and it is usually kept in their IOM bag (a white bag with big blue letters – IOM, which stand for International Organization for Migration) The assurance paper lists everyone’s name, alien identification number, date of birth, gender and place of birth. Passport style photos are generally stapled to this document, or a photocopy of them is stapled to it.
Once a refugee receives her SS card, encourage her to memorize the number and then put the card in a safe place. The card should not be altered in any way (e.g. laminated or folded). Caution your refugee partner not to give out her SSN over the phone or to anyone they do not know.
Minnesota State ID. To apply for a Minnesota State ID, a refugee needs both her EAD card and SS card. It is best to take your refugee partner to apply for a state ID as soon as she has both of these documents.
Permanent Residency Card (Green Card). All refugees must apply for their green card after 1 year in the U.S. Because it is a long process, a refugee should begin the application process 10 months after arrival. World Relief Minnesota’s Immigration Department will help with this process. Call the family’s case manager to schedule an appointment with Immigration Services. Note: Until a refugee receives his green card, he CANNOT travel outside the U.S. This could jeopardize his legal alien status and he may not be allowed back in the United States.
Immigration Legal Services. World Relief Minnesota Immigration Legal Services
612-798-4332
Step 2. Applying for Public Assistance
While self-sufficiency is the ultimate goal for all refugees, the vast majority will need some public support to help get them started. Unlike other immigrants, those arriving with refugee status may apply for assistance as soon as they arrive.
Here are some of the various programs:
Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA): For singles or couples without children. Refugees that qualify for this program may receive cash, food stamps, and/or medical assistance for up to eight months after arrival. Recipients must be actively engaged in an employment search and will have an employment counselor assigned to them by a local community agency. Refugees apply for this at the office of their resettlement agency (World Relief Minnesota, Catholic Charities, etc).
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP): Minnesota’s program to assist families with dependent children. Families on MFIP may qualify for up to five years of cash assistance, food stamps, and medical assistance, provided the adults participate in job search activities. Refugees will apply for this after they have completed the 4 month DWP program. Transfer to this program must be done through the county.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A federally funded cash assistance program for low-income people who are aged (65 or over), blind or disabled, and fall within income guidelines. Refugees who may qualify, apply for this at the local Social Security office.
Food Support: People qualify for Food Stamp help based on their income. Once accepted, they will receive a ‘debit-like’ card called an EBT card. Every month, dollar credits are automatically placed on the card. They can be used in most grocery stores but can only be used for food and not for personal hygiene or other items. Refugees apply for at the same time as they apply for cash assistance. For more information on how to use an EBT card to purchase groceries, please see the Food section of this Resource Guide.
Medical Assistance: There are various medical assistance programs available through the State of Minnesota. Qualification is based on income and size of family. We ask that all of our refugee clients apply for Medical assistance within the first 10 days. Most will qualify for one of the programs, unless they are joining a spouse that is working or has their own insurance. Refugees apply for Medical Assistance at the same time they apply for cash assistance.
Employment and Child Care Assistance: These programs are part of the RCA and DWP/MFIP programs and are meant to help the participants find work and gain self-sufficiency.
Individuals that do not qualify for Cash assistance may still qualify for Food Stamps or Medical Assistance. Therefore, we recommend that all incoming refugees apply for these programs, even if they think they may not qualify.
Applying for cash assistance can be a cumbersome process and the speed of acceptance largely depends on their county caseworker and the successful completion of all the necessary forms. If there are problems with an application, it is best to call the agency in charge of that process. A family may end up with many different case workers depending on the program. If you have difficulty figuring out who to call, feel free to call the refugee’s World Relief Minnesota case manager.
Here are the addresses and numbers of the nearby Economic Assistance programs.
Hennepin County Economic Assistance
330 12th St. South
Minneapolis 55404
612-348-3400 (adult with minor children)
612-348-2722 (adult with no children)
Ramsey County Human Services
160 East Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-266-4444
Anoka County
1207 890th Avenue NE
Suite 400
763-717-7730
Dakota County
Northern Service Center
Mendota Rd. West Suite 100
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651-554-5611
Scott County
200 4th Avenue West
Shakopee, MN 55379
952-445-7750
Washington County
Washington County Workforce Center
2150 Radio Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125
Helping your family apply for Public Assistance. Each of our clients is required to apply for Public Assistance benefits within the first 7 business days after they arrive in the US. Public assistance is the key step in helping a family get on their feet as they journey toward self-sufficiency. Families are eligible for food stamps, medical assistance, and cash assistance when they arrive. Applications are available at World Relief and will be filled out in advance; if the filled-out application is lost, applications are also available at the Public Assistance office can be filled out there. Most counties require a family to come back once they have filled out the application for a specific appointment time. Individuals 18 years old and over with no minor children DO NOT go to the county to apply for public assistance. These individuals will apply for Public Assistance benefits at World Relief Minnesota.
Only the Adults must be present to apply for Public Assistance, although children may come if they wish.
Documents families should bring when applying for Public Assistance:*
- I-94 Cards (see description – applying for SS card)
- Assurance Paper with passport style photos attached (see description – applying for SS card)
- Social Security Card/Social Security Receipt. – When applying for public assistance benefits, the family needs to have first gone to apply for social security cards. Most of the time, families will not have received their social security cards when applying for public assistance. Instead, they will have received a receipt from the social security office indicating they have applied for their cards. This will suffice to allow them to apply for social security cards.
- CAF, Combined Application Form Page 1 – Families will be assisted by World Relief staff in filling out these forms during their intake appointment. Only page 1 needs to be filled out. At county offices, the information from page 1 may need to be transferred to another application and the family may need help in this step.
- Orange Folder (When applying at World Relief Minnesota) – This folder contains the RCA application families need to fill out before their appointment at World Relief. This folder also contains everything they will need for their appointment at World Relief.
[*Be sure to bring the documents of all family members even though the children may not be present at the appointment. Be sure the family has already applied for social security.]
