Refugee Assistance Program

The goal of Virginia's Refugee Resettlement Program is to help refugees and their families gain economic self-sufficiency and social integration into their communities.

Program Administration

The Virginia Department of Social Services' Office of Newcomer Services (ONS) is responsible for administering the Virginia's Refugee Resettlement Program.

  1. Refugee Definition
  2. Apply for Program

Refugees are individuals who are unable to return to their country of origin because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution because of:

  • Membership in a Particular Social Group
  • Nationality
  • Political Opinion
  • Race
  • Religion

Assistance Programs

Refugees are eligible to apply for the same assistance programs as United States citizens, including:

  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Refugee Cash Assistance

Single refugee adults or couples who are not eligible for TANF or Medicaid may be eligible to receive Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medicaid for their first eight months in the United States so they can become self-sufficient.

Resources