What benefits and assistance can count on Ukrainians who came to the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine program

In the United States, there are several assistance programs and benefits for Ukrainians who came to the country on humanitarian parole, reports “Our Texas«.

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To help Ukrainians fleeing the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine, on April 25, 2022, the US government approved the "Uniting for Ukraine" program, which allows residents of Ukraine to receive a parole provided by the US Department of Homeland Security to enter the United States for temporary residence.

On the subject: In Chicago, three Ukrainians were poisoned with an unknown substance: two of them died

As YMCA worker Miranda Hurtado-Ramos, who works with refugees in Houston, explained, this was done because obtaining refugee status takes time, and help was needed immediately for Ukrainians fleeing the war.

A similar status was given to residents of Afghanistan fleeing the Taliban when the US military left the country and people had to be immediately taken out.

True, the situation with Ukrainians is somewhat different, they need to have a sponsor in the United States in order to receive a parole. Those wishing to enter the United States by parole, together with their American sponsor, fill out an electronic application form on the Internet, and after its approval, a citizen of Ukraine can enter the United States, receiving a special stamp in his passport at the airport of arrival.

It is the responsibility of the sponsor to meet visitors at the airport, arrange for them to spend the night either at their place or in a hotel, provide them with food and basic necessities, a small amount of pocket money so that the arrivals feel independent, take them to the store if necessary and deliver them to the agency , which is engaged in helping Ukrainian refugees on the spot. The Sponsor may also provide additional financial assistance to provide basic necessities, as well as assist in enrolling in educational programs (schools, English language courses and vocational training).

In total, the US has pledged to accept 100000 refugees from Ukraine. For this, funds were allocated, which are distributed throughout the states and various cities of the country. In Texas, Ukrainians are received in Abelin (1 agency), Amarillo (2 agencies), Austin (1 agency), Dallas (3 agencies), Fort Worth (3 agencies), Houston (5 agencies), San Antonio (3 agencies) .

You must apply for benefits at a local agency immediately upon arrival, as benefits are only available for a certain time (the program runs until September 30, 2023). All agencies provide the same assistance, and you can only register with one of them and you need to appear in person, which means that you cannot register in advance before arriving in the United States.

Let's make a reservation right away that parole status gives temporary immigration status and the possibility of obtaining a work permit, but obtaining such a permit takes time, which is very disappointing for many visitors. This status does not lead to obtaining a permanent residence permit and citizenship, nor does it give an automatic work permit.

Parole arrivals are eligible for several programs, including Case management and Cash Assistance.

Depending on the composition of the family, those who come are entitled to either an appropriate grant (Matching grant) or cash assistance (Refugee Cash Assistance).

MATCHING GRANT

If there are able-bodied people in the family, then the main task of the agency is to ensure that the family can get back on its feet and provide for itself as soon as possible. Therefore, they are offered:

• Cash assistance for 6 months: $200/month for adults and $40/month for children
• Payment for a rented apartment and utilities within 6 months (this does not include payment for telephone or Internet)
• The program is designed for a total of 8 months, but financial assistance is provided for 6 months or until the family is able to provide for itself
• If the family has not achieved self-sufficiency after 6 months, assistance may be extended
• Recipients of this program are not eligible for other government cash assistance (such as emergency assistance or TANF), but they are eligible for food stamps (SNAP ), Medicaid, and the WIC baby program.

CASE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE

• Assistance in obtaining a work permit
• Assistance in finding housing
• Enrolling children in school
• Enrollment of adults in English courses
• Preparing adult family members for employment
• cultural orientation
• Assistance in obtaining medical services
• Assistance with enrolling in Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid (if eligible), or Refugee Medical Assistance. Refugee Medical Assistance is given to those who are not eligible for Medicaid, mainly people without children.

REFUGEE CASH ASSISTANCE

This program provides only cash assistance and referrals to other programs and does not provide ongoing case management assistance. But she gives recommendations for participation in SAS (Social Adjustment Services), which involves assistance in both settling and finding a job.

It includes:

• Cash assistance for up to one year - $726,83/month per person for the first 6 months and $322,17/month per person for the next 6 months
• Direction to English language courses and preparation for employment; Refugee Medical Assistance health insurance and participation in SAS.

As a rule, very friendly and knowledgeable people work in all agencies, who are well aware of the difficulties that people who fled the war face. According to journalist Sophia Greenblat, one such knowledgeable and very friendly person is Miranda Hurtado-Ramos from YMCA International Services in Houston. “Unfortunately in another Houston agency Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, according to the staff, they show no visible friendliness either to new arrivals or to the press. But perhaps they were just having a very busy day,” says Sofia.

Miranda said that the bulk of the visitors are mothers with children, there are much fewer men. Among them, as a rule, people are well educated, there is even one candidate of sciences in biology. At the same time, one must be prepared for the fact that the initial work will be of low qualification.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

Agencies are actively accepting help from everyone who wants to provide it, because people came with almost nothing. Always required: hygiene items (soap, shampoo, shaving cream, blades, deodorants); means for washing apartments; children's toys, books and diapers; new clothes; kitchen utensils (new or in very good condition).

All this can be brought directly to the agency without a call. Link to their addresses in different cities:

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/contact-information/state-texas-programs-and-services-locality

If you agree to be a sponsor, you can sign up for participation here: Ukraine.welcome.us.

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