What is the Refugee Cash Assistance program?

The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program provides temporary cash assistance to refugees during their first eight months in the United States. Refugees generally enter the U.S. without any income to support themselves. RCA helps refugees while they:

• Look for work
• Learn English
• Become a part of their local communities

What is the Refugee Medical Assistance program?

The Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) program provides refugees with health insurance and medical assistance during their first eight months in the United States.

Who can apply for RCA and RMA?

• Refugees
• Special Immigration Visa holders (SIVs)
• Asylees
• Cuban-Haitian entrants
• Certain Amerasians
• Victims of trafficking
• Any other groups eligible for refugee benefits under federal law

How does a refugee apply for RCA and RMA?

As refugees arrive in Wisconsin from overseas, a local resettlement agency helps them apply for all programs for which they are eligible. For all refugees, RCA and RMA can be applied for at a local W-2 office or online here: https://access.wisconsin.gov/access/

What other programs are available for refugees?

If a refugee family has children under the age of 18, they may be eligible for Wisconsin Works (W-2).

Low-income refugees qualify for BadgerCare Plus.

If a refugee is aged, blind, or disabled, they may be eligible for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

If you are low-income and working or participating in W-2 activities, you may be eligible for Wisconsin Shares Child Care for children under the age of 13. If a child has a special need, the child may remain eligible until the child's 19th birthday.

If you are receiving FoodShare, you may be eligible for FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET). FSET helps FoodShare members build their job skills and find jobs through education and training services.

Transportation Assistance ensures that parents can get their children to day care and themselves to work. W-2 agencies can assist you by arranging van pools, setting up volunteer driver programs, accessing loan resources or providing Job Access Loans for personal vehicle purchase and repair, encouraging employer-based transportation programs, expanding transit hours and service areas, and hiring transportation coordinators. If you are a W-2 participant, your W-2 agency may also offer workshops on how to purchase used cars, maintain your car, apply for loans, or shop for automobile insurance. The W-2 agency can also offer assistance in locating driver’s education classes and learning about driver’s licensing processes. You can apply for Transportation Assistance at your local W-2 agency.

The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) offers many short-term certificates (6 months or less), 1- to 2-year technical degrees or diplomas, and 2-year associate degrees. WTCS can help you earn a certificate or diploma as well as help you begin a career pathway. A career pathway can help you get better jobs within your chosen field. You can learn more about career pathways and grants to help you pay for school at the WTCS website.

The Wisconsin Works (W-2) program can help you get a job and provide for your family. W-2 can help you find a job, provide you with work experience, connect you with education and training, and provide case management services to help you stay employed and advance in your career. Parents and pregnant women can receive W-2 services. The W-2 agency determines if you are eligible for W-2. To apply, please visit the Find a W-2 agency page.

The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) administers the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Public Benefits Energy Assistance Program. WHEAP and its related services are provided to assist Wisconsin households in reducing their energy burden. In addition to regular heating and electric assistance, specialized services include:

• Emergency fuel assistance
• Counseling for energy conservation and energy budgets
• Proactive copayment plans
• Targeted outreach services
• Emergency furnace repair and replacement

Services are provided locally through:

• County social services offices
• Tribal governments
• Private nonprofits and other government agencies

For more information on WHEAP, call 866.HEATWIS (432.8947).
To apply online for energy assistance, go to https://energybenefit.wi.gov/

Housing Assistance may be available if you are homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless, and need somewhere immediate to stay. To find housing near you, please click the link or dial 2-1-1. Dialing 2-1-1 from any phone will connect you with a live person who can find housing and resources near you.

SeniorHomes.com is a resource for families or individuals looking for senior housing or care.

+ Who is eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families?

To be eligible for this benefit program, applicants must be a resident of the state in which they apply, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien, or qualified alien. You must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. You must also be one of the following:

• Have a child 18 years of age or younger, or
• Be pregnant, or
• Be 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household
  and
• Be a resident of Milwaukee County

Note for noncustodial parents: Even if your children don’t live with you, you may be able to get skills training, job search assistance, a Job Access Loan, a stipend or TEMP job, and referrals to other community agencies.

For more information about this program, please visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/programs/tanf