Resources for Humanitarian Parolees in Ohio
Afghan, Cuban, Haitian and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees paroled into the U.S. are eligible to apply for mainstream benefits, resettlement assistance, and other benefits available to refugees. Below is a short list of services humanitarian parolees from Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti and Ukraine may be eligible for in Ohio. Additional resources can be found at: Refugee Services | Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Any questions about eligibility for programs or resources can be emailed to refugee@jfs.ohio.gov
Cash Assistance
There are two cash
assistance programs in Ohio that may be able to help you. They are Ohio Works First and Refugee Cash
Assistance. Ohio Works First is cash assistance for needy families with
children. These benefits are limited to
36 months and you will be required to participate in a work program. Refugee Cash assistance is cash assistance for refugees, aslyees, Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees, Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, SIV, Cuban/Haitian parolees and certified victims of trafficking. If you are not eligible for Ohio Works First,
you may be eligible to receive Refugee Cash Assistance. Refugee Cash Assistance
is limited to 12 months after arrival to the U.S.
Medical Assistance
Ohio offers both Medicaid and Refugee Medical Assistance. Both types of medical assistance will provide you with a medical card that will allow you to go to a doctor and to get medication from a pharmacy.
Food Assistance
You may qualify to
receive food assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP) to help purchase food each month. If you are eligible for Food Assistance, you
will receive a card that will allow you to purchase food every month.
You can apply for Cash, Food and Medical assistance on the internet: https://benefits.ohio.gov/ or by going to your local county Job and Family Services. You can find your county Job and Family Service here: jfs.ohio.gov/County
Health Screening
Humanitarian Parolees can receive a free health screening
for 3 months after they arrive to the U.S. The purpose of the screening is to identify medical conditions that
may act as barriers to successful resettlement. Health Screenings are provided in the following counties: Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery and Summit. In order to schedule a health screening contact the provider (Health Screening Providers) closes to you.
Refugee
Support Services
The Refugee Support Services Program supports employability services and other services that address barriers to employment such as: social adjustment, interpretation and translation, day care for children, citizenship and naturalization.
Providers and the areas they serve:
- Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services- Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union counties
- Cleveland Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services- Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties
- International Institute of Akron- Summit, Portage, Stark, and Carroll counties
- Catholic Social Services of Miami Valley- Montgomery, Greene, and Miami counties
- Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio- Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, and Warren counties
- US Together Toledo- Lucas, Fulton, Ottawa, and Wood counties
To enroll in Refugee Support Services contact the provider (RSS Providers) located in your service area.