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Refugee Cash Assistance

Refugees/Asylees are persons who are unable to return to their own country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. 

Refugees are persons who are located outside of the United States (U.S.) and were lawfully admitted to the U.S. 

Asylees are similar to refugees but are already present in the U.S. when they are granted asylum. Asylees must participate in an immigration hearing or court process to determine if asylum will be granted; unlike a refugee.

Note: Effective May 5, 2025, the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and the Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) Cash Assistance was reduced from 12 months to 4 months. Those who become eligible on or after May 5, 2025, are subject to the new 4-month eligibility period, while those who became eligible prior to May 5, 2025, will remain eligible under the 12-month eligibility period.


Refugees/Asylees:

  • May be eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) benefits for 4 months; 
    • Refugees: The 4-month timeframe is based on the “date of entry” the refugee was admitted into the U.S. Examples of verification are receipt of an I-94, Arrival Departure Record, or a passport which reflects the date of entry; 
    • Asylees: The 4-month timeframe is based on the date the asylee was granted asylum. Examples of verification are receipt of an I-94, letter granting asylum, immigration order, or passport that indicates the person is an asylee;
    • Human Trafficking Victim: A person who is a victim of human trafficking. This status is confirmed by the receipt of a certification letter from the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
  • Are not sponsored;
  • May convert to permanent resident status after one year of residency in the U.S. and are issued an I-551, Permanent Resident Card, as documented proof; and
  • Can apply for an I-766, employment authorization document. 

For eligibility purposes, refugee encompasses the following groups: Refugees, Asylees, Cuban/Haitian Entrants, Special Immigrant Visa Holders, temporary eligibility to certain Humanitarian Parolees from Afghanistan and Ukraine as long as certain criteria is met; Amerasians, and Certified Victims of Human Trafficking.


RCA Program

  • Single adults and couples without children can apply for and potentially receive RCA benefits. 
  • Refugee/Asylees with children can apply for and potentially receive CalWORKs benefits. If ineligible to CalWORKs benefits, eligibility for RCA is evaluated.
  • Refugees/Asylees are also eligible to apply for the same assistance programs as U.S. citizens, including CalFresh, Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/State Supplementary Payment Program, and General Relief. 
  • Most of the program requirements, grant level, income/property requirements and the treatment of income which apply to CalWORKs also apply to RCA. However, unlike CalWORKs, RCA does not require that children be deprived because of absence, death, disability, or unemployment of a parent.
  • The RCA Program and related administrative costs are 100 percent federally funded under the Refugee Resettlement Program.


Employment Services

  • Refugee Employment Program (REP)
    REP provides employment, educational, and training services to refugees who have been in the U.S. less than 60 months. As a condition of eligibility, all RCA applicants/participants are required to register for employment/training services with a DPSS contract REP service provider, unless determined to be exempt. 

  • Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN)
    GAIN is the existing Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Program for all CalWORKs participants. Refugees who have been in the U.S. more than 60 months are served by GAIN. Participants in the GAIN Program are enrolled in WtW activities to assist them in obtaining employment and becoming self-sufficient. 


Resettlement Agency Services

Resettlement services provided by the Resettlement Agencies for refugees include core services provided within the first 90 days of arrival in the U.S. and is generally received prior to a referral for social services. These services include reception and placement services; counseling and referral services in the areas of orientation, health, employment, and coordination with local services; and assistance to children separated from parents. Each Resettlement Agency provides a variety of optional services beyond these core services as the individual agency’s ability permits. The resettlement assistance provided by the Resettlement Agencies is federally funded.


How To Apply

An application may be submitted for cash assistance via:

  • Online - BenefitsCal website at https://benefitscal.com under the Cash Assistance option;
  • Phone – Call (866) 613-3777; or
  • In Person – Applicants may apply at one of the five following district offices: Glendale, Metro North, El Monte, South Family, and West Valley within Los Angeles County.

    Per DPSS "No Wrong Door" policy, applicants also have the option to apply for RCA at any DPSS District Office and have their application transferred to one of the RCA District Offices nearest their home. For address information, please visit DPSS website