Refugee Assistance

October 2008

This document contains:

Program Description

The Kansas Refugee Program (KRP) is administered under the Economic and Employment Services Division within the Kansas Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS). The Kansas Refugee Program supervises the administration of the Refugee Resettlement Program ( RRP) and the Refugee Social Service Program (RSS) within the parameters of federal regulations, state statutes, and the State Plan for Refugee/Entrant Assistance and Services.

The KRP is committed to leading Kansas in the efficient administration of the RRP and coordinating refugee programs and services to achieve successful refugee resettlement that fosters early employment and self-sufficiency. These efforts support the Department’s mission to protect children and promote adult self-sufficiency.

Who We Serve

Refugees are individuals who are unable to return to their country of origin because of persecution or a well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Asylees are individuals who are in the U.S., either legally or without documents, and fear that they will be persecuted if they return to their home country. To become classified as an asylee, the person must go through an immigration hearing or court process. 

Certain Amerasians from Vietnam who are admitted to the U.S. as immigrants pursuant to Section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988.

Human Trafficking Victims are victims of modern day slavery, which include young children, teenagers, men, and women that are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 made adult victims who have been certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services eligible for benefits and services to the same extent as refugees. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 made certain family members of trafficking victims eligible for benefits and services to the same extent as are refugees. Victims of severe forms of trafficking who are under 18 years of age are also eligible for benefits to the same extent as refugees but do not need to be certified. 

When the term “refugee” is used in this fact sheet, it is intended to include all eligible populations as described above.

Benefits and Services

Cash Assistance

Refugees are eligible to apply for the same assistance programs as U.S. citizens, including TANF, the HealthWave program, Food Assistance, Child Care, Medicaid, MediKan and General Assistance.

Single adults or couples who are not eligible for other welfare assistance may be eligible to receive Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance (RCA/RMA) for their first eight months in the U.S.   Eligibility for RCA/RMA primarily parallels that of the TANF and Medicaid programs.  SRS must provide RCA benefits to refugees that apply for and are eligible to receive RCA/RMA and are not eligible for any other cash assistance. The RCA/RMA Program and related administrative costs are 100 percent federally-funded under the RRP.

Employment Services

Refugees who have been in the U.S. for five years or less are eligible to participate in employment services designed to help them become employed within one year or to retain employment after finding a job. These services are provided through the Refugee Social Services (RSS) Programs.

Funding

Funding for refugee services is 100 percent federal and has the following components: Cash and Medical Administration (CMA) and Formula RSS.

CMA Funding

CMA funding is provided to the state for reimbursement of costs associated with administering the RCA and the RMA programs.

Formula RSS Funding

Formula RSS funding is awarded to the state by ORR based on refugee arrivals during the most recent three federal fiscal years (FFYs).  These funds are used to support refugee specific social service activities in communities having significant refugee populations.  Funding is awarded through a competitive bid process.

Employment Services Providers

Providers of refugee employment services are selected through a competitive bid process. Many non-profit agencies, including refugee community-based organizations, have been formed specifically for the purpose of aiding refugee resettlement by providing linguistically and culturally appropriate services.

Current Refugee Employment Services Providers:

Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGs)

Resettlement services by the VOLAGs include core services provided within the first 90 days of arrival in the U.S. 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 VOLAG provides a variety of optional services beyond these core services as the individual agency’s ability permits.

Voluntary Agency (VOLAG) Offices in Kansas

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants  (USCRI)

Jewish Vocational Services
1608 Baltimore
Kansas City MO  64108
816-471-2808

Questions about eligibility for service should be directed to the SRS office nearest you. 

Applications

Click here to access applications for our services.

Haga clic aquí para obtener solicitudes de nuestros servicios