office of refugee health

Eligible Populations and Public Benefits

Certain arrival groups in California are eligible for public benefits and the Refugee Health Assessment Program. Information on benefits available for eligible groups are described in the table below.

Immigration Status	CalFresh	Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)	CalWORKS	Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	Medi-Cal	Refugee Health Assessment Program (RHAP)
Refugees (all countries)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Parolees
Afghan	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Ukrainian	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Cuban	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Haitian	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Nicaraguan	CFAP*	x	✓	CAPI	PRUCOL	x
Venezuelan	CFAP*	x	✓	CAPI	PRUCOL	x
Special Immigrant Visa Holders	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Asylees	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Victims of Trafficking	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
✓ Yes x No CFAP* = may qualify for California Food Assistance Program CAPI = Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants PRUCOL = Permanently Residing Under Color of Law

Policy Letters and More Information

Please view the Medical Care Coverage Categories (PDF) letter from the Office of Refugee Health (ORH) which details acceptable documents and program eligibility for new arrival populations in California.

For more information on how to apply for Medi-Cal and other public benefits, see ORH’s California Public Benefits Fact Sheet (PDF).

For more information on eligibility of Nicaraguan and Venezuelan Parolees, please view the California Department of Social Services letter (PDF). The letter also provides more information on the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP), the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), and Medi-Cal under PRUCOL (Permanently Residing Under Color of Law). All applicants for Medi-Cal under PRUCOL must include the Statement of Citizenship, Alienage, and Immigration Status (PDF) and upload it with their application as a supporting document.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Policy Letters contain more information on eligible populations. For a list of Office of Refugee Resettlement eligible population immigration statuses, see the Status and Documentation Requirements for the ORR Refugee Resettlement Program webpage.

If you are a sponsor or supporter of a new arrival, please visit the Information for Sponsors Hosting New Arrivals in California page for comprehensive navigation guidelines and an invite to the ORH Sponsor Orientation.

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office of refugee health

​Eligible Populations and ​Public Benefits

​Policy Letters and More Information

Eligible Populations and Public Benefits

Policy Letters and More Information