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	✓*	✓*	✓	✓* / CAPI	✓	✓*
Ukrainian	✓*	✓*	✓	✓* / CAPI	✓	✓*
Cuban	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Haitian	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Special Immigrant Visa Holders	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Asylees	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Victims of Trafficking	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
✓ Yes x No *Only parolees who entered the United States - Afghan (July 31, 2021 - September 30, 2023) and Ukrainian (February 24, 2022 - September 30, 2023) and specific derivatives of these parolees (spouses, children) who arrived after September 30, 2023 are eligible. CFAP = California Food Assistance Program CAPI = Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants

Policy Letters and More Information

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

Please note that as of September 30, 2023, only certain relatives (spouses, children) of Afghan parolees are eligible for benefits provided through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), including the Refugee Health Assessment Program. Ukrainian parolees who entered the United States with parole between February 24, 2022 and September 30, 2024 are eligible for ORR benefits and services including the Refugee Health Assessment Program. Please read the ORR Dear Colleague Letter (PDF) to check for eligibility for Office of Refugee Health services for both Afghan and Ukrainian parolees.

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.