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Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance (short-term cash and health coverage for refugees and asylees in California): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next

Refugee Cash Assistance pays monthly cash, and Refugee Medical Assistance gives health coverage, to refugees, asylees and similar newcomers who do not qualify for other aid. RCA now lasts four months from the status date and RMA eight. Apply at BenefitsCal or the county social services agency.

What Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance are, in one paragraph

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is monthly cash for refugees and similar newcomers who do not qualify for other cash aid, for a short fixed period after arrival (rule:rca_who). Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) is health coverage for the same people when they do not qualify for full Medi-Cal (rule:rma_who). The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement funds them; the state and counties run them. In 2025 the federal government cut RCA from 12 months to 4 (rule:rca_2025_cut); in 2026 it extended RMA to 8 months (rule:rma_eight_months).

4 months
how long Refugee Cash Assistance lasts from admission, asylum grant or certification, for people eligible on or after 5 May 2025 (CDSS, rule:rca_four_months)

Who may qualify

Status. Refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa holders, humanitarian parolees from Afghanistan and Ukraine, Amerasians from Vietnam, and certified victims of human trafficking (rule:rca_groups).

No other cash aid. RCA is for people who do not qualify for CalWORKs or SSI (rule:rca_who): single adults, couples without children, and families with children who do not meet CalWORKs rules (rule:rca_households).

The clock. RCA lasts four months from the date of admission, the asylum grant, or trafficking certification (rule:rca_four_months). People eligible before 5 May 2025 keep 12 months (rule:rca_2025_cut). RMA lasts eight months for periods that began on or after 1 January 2026 (rule:rma_eight_months).

The amount. RCA pays on the CalWORKs maximum aid payment table. In Los Angeles County (Region 1), levels effective 1 October 2024 (rule:rca_payment_map):

Household sizeNon-exemptExempt
1$734$809
2$930$1,039
3$1,175$1,314
4$1,416$1,579

An RCA case also gets CalFresh and Medi-Cal (rule:rca_bundle). RMA is free below 200% of the federal poverty level; above it there is a monthly share of cost (rule:rma_share_of_cost).

How to apply, and what happens after

Apply online at BenefitsCal or through the county social services agency (rule:apply_where). The months run from your status date, not your application date, so every week of delay is a week less of aid.

StageWhat happensDeadlineWhat loses people their aid
ScreenStatus, start date, CalWORKs or SSI firstMinutesApplying late in the four months
ApplyBenefitsCal or the county officeAs early as possibleDelay
VerificationStatus documentsUNKNOWNMissing the document with the start date
EmploymentRefugee Employment Program for non-exempt adults (rule:rca_employment)After approvalMissed activities
ReportSAR 7 (rule:rca_reporting)As the county setsA missed report
EndRCA ends at four months; the county checks other Medi-Cal before RMA ends (rule:rma_review)Fixed by the start dateNo next program lined up
AppealState hearing90 days from the notice (rule:hearing_90)Missing the window
The procedure, stage by stage, as data
JSONThe procedure, stage by stage, as data
11 items
10 keys
"id""stage:discover"
"order"1
"name""Discover"
"what_happens""A newly arrived refugee, asylee, entrant, SIV holder, parolee or certified trafficking victim learns cash and medical help exist for the first months"
"who_acts""Person / resettlement agency"
"timeline""The clock starts at admission, asylum grant or certification"
"evidence""None"
"failure_mode""Applying after part of the four months has passed"
"model_role""State the clock start date and the months left"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:screen_eligibility"
"order"2
"name""Screen eligibility"
"what_happens""Status category, date the clock starts, whether CalWORKs or SSI applies first, household type, income"
"who_acts""Model + person"
"timeline""Minutes"
"evidence""Status papers with dates"
"failure_mode""Families with children routed to RCA when CalWORKs applies"
"model_role""Route to CalWORKs, SSI or RCA by household; compute months left"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:gather_documents"
"order"3
"name""Gather documents"
"what_happens""I-94, asylum grant, certification letter or SIV papers; identity; income"
"who_acts""Person with resettlement agency"
"timeline""Before intake"
"evidence""Status documents with dates"
"failure_mode""Missing the document that fixes the start date"
"model_role""Checklist by status category"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:submit"
"order"4
"name""Submit"
"what_happens""Application at BenefitsCal or the county office"
"who_acts""Person or resettlement agency"
"timeline""As early as possible"
"evidence""Confirmation"
"failure_mode""Delay eats the time-limited months"
"model_role""Record the filing date"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:interview_verification"
"order"5
"name""Interview / verification"
"what_happens""County intake; status verification"
"who_acts""County worker"
"timeline""UNKNOWN"
"evidence""Status documents"
"failure_mode""Status not verified in time"
"model_role""Prepare the documents"
"automation_class""C - the interview is human"
10 keys
"id""stage:decision"
"order"6
"name""Decision"
"what_happens""RCA, CalFresh and Medi-Cal or RMA approved with end dates"
"who_acts""County"
"timeline""UNKNOWN"
"evidence""Notice of Action"
"failure_mode""Wrong start date shortens aid"
"model_role""Check the start date on the notice"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:employment_program"
"order"7
"name""Employment program"
"what_happens""Non-exempt adults enroll in the Refugee Employment Program"
"who_acts""Person + county"
"timeline""After approval"
"evidence""REP plan"
"failure_mode""Missed REP activities"
"model_role""Calendar the activities"
"automation_class""C"
10 keys
"id""stage:issuance_use"
"order"8
"name""Issuance / use"
"what_happens""Monthly cash on EBT; RMA or Medi-Cal card"
"who_acts""Person"
"timeline""Monthly"
"evidence""EBT and benefits cards"
"failure_mode""Lost cards"
"model_role""Track deposits and end dates"
"automation_class""D"
10 keys
"id""stage:report_changes"
"order"9
"name""Report changes"
"what_happens""SAR 7 and mid-period reports"
"who_acts""Person"
"timeline""As the county sets"
"evidence""Income proof"
"failure_mode""Missed report"
"model_role""Calendar the report"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:time_limit_exit"
"order"10
"name""Time limit / exit"
"what_happens""RCA ends after four months (12 for people eligible before 5 May 2025); RMA after eight months for periods from 1 January 2026; the county checks other Medi-Cal first"
"who_acts""County"
"timeline""Fixed by the start date"
"evidence""Start date"
"failure_mode""No transition to Medi-Cal or CalFresh when RCA ends"
"model_role""Plan the next program before the end date"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:appeal_fair_hearing"
"order"11
"name""Appeal / fair hearing"
"what_happens""State hearing"
"who_acts""Person (legal aid can represent)"
"timeline""90 days from the notice"
"evidence""Notice"
"failure_mode""Missing the window"
"model_role""Draft the request"
"automation_class""B"

The same facts open other programs

Status, household and income open:

Those connections are read from the California benefits graph.

What this article shares with the graph
JSONWhat this article shares with the graph
6 keys
"program_id""B032"
"graph""california-benefits-graph"
"related_program_ids" 8 items
"B021"
"B001"
"B002"
"B011"
"B080"
"B033"
"B024"
"B023"
"related_programs" 8 keys
"B021""CalWORKs (California TANF)"
"B001""CalFresh (SNAP)"
"B002""California Food Assistance Program (CFAP)"
"B011""Medi-Cal (Medicaid)"
"B080""State-only Medi-Cal categories for immigrants (incl. pregnancy & emergency)"
"B033""TCVAP (Trafficking & Crime Victims Assistance Program)"
"B024""CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants)"
"B023""SSI + California SSP"
"triggered_by_events"
"shares_facts_with" 6 keys
"household.size" 6 items
"B001"
"B003"
"B011"
"B021"
"B045"
"B049"
"household.composition.members[]" 3 items
"B001"
"B011"
"B021"
"household.income.monthly_gross" 8 items
"B001"
"B003"
"B011"
"B021"
"B043"
"B044"
"B045"
"B060"
"person.address.residential.state" 6 items
"B001"
"B011"
"B021"
"B027"
"B043"
"B045"
"person.identity.immigration_status" 5 items
"B001"
"B002"
"B011"
"B024"
"B080"
"benefits.currently_receiving[]" 4 items
"B001"
"B009"
"B043"
"B047"

Official addresses

  • Apply: BenefitsCal or the county social services agency
  • The program, from the state: CDSS Refugee Cash Assistance; Refugee Programs Bureau, P.O. Box 944243, MS 9-6-646, Sacramento, CA 94244-2430, (916) 654-4356, RPB@dss.ca.gov
  • Los Angeles County: LA County DPSS RCA; Customer Service Center (866) 613-3777
  • Refugee Medical Assistance: DHCS MEDIL I 26-22
  • State hearings: CDSS hearing requests, (800) 743-8525; California Department of Social Services, State Hearings Division, P.O. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-442, Sacramento, California 94244-2430
Related pages
Beside
CalWORKs (California cash aid for families with children): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextCalFresh (California food benefits): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextCalifornia Food Assistance Program (CFAP) (state food benefits for noncitizens barred from CalFresh): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextMedi-Cal (California Medicaid health coverage): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextState-only Medi-Cal for immigrants (California-funded coverage by immigration status, including pregnancy and emergency care): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextTCVAP (state-funded refugee-level benefits for non-citizen victims of trafficking and serious crimes in California): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextCAPI (California cash aid for aged, blind and disabled immigrants denied SSI): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextSSI and California SSP (monthly cash for people 65 or older, blind or disabled with very low income): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
References (17)
  1. Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) — California Department of Social Services“The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is a cash assistance program for refugees who are not otherwise eligible for any other cash aid.”
  2. RCA: who is eligible — California Department of Social Services“Population that could be eligible for the RCA encompasses all of the following groups:”
  3. RCA: four months — California Department of Social Services“RCA is available for up to four months from date of admission to the U.S. in qualifying status, date of final grant of asylum, or date of certification by the Office of Trafficking Persons (OTIP).”
  4. Cuban and Haitian Entrant Cash Assistance — California Department of Social Services“The program mirrors the RCA program.”
  5. RCA: how to apply — California Department of Social Services“To apply in person or to find out more about RCA benefits in your county, please contact your County Social Services Agency”
  6. Refugee benefits and services: who we serve — California Department of Social Services“Individuals granted refugee status overseas because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution.”
  7. Refugee Cash Assistance (LA County): the 2025 reduction — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“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.”
  8. Refugee Cash Assistance (LA County): CalFresh and Medi-Cal — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“Included with the RCA financial assistance provided to help pay for housing and other necessary expenses is a monthly CalFresh benefit and Medi-Cal benefits.”
  9. Refugee Cash Assistance (LA County): employment program — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“If you are not exempt, you must participate in REP.”
  10. Refugee Cash Assistance (LA County): reporting — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“Customers are still required to comply with mandatory reporting requirements, such as completing a SAR 7”
  11. Refugee Cash Assistance (LA County): household types — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“Single adult(s) who does not have children; Married couple who does not have children; or Family with a child(ren).”
  12. 44-315 CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment Levels (LA County ePolicy) — Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services“the CalWORKs/RCA MAP levels for Los Angeles County are:”
  13. MEDIL I 26-22: Refugee Medical Assistance extension — California Department of Health Care Services“the RMA eligibility period has been extended to eight months for RMA-eligible individuals whose RMA eligibility period began on January 1, 2026, or later.”
  14. MEDIL I 26-22: who RMA covers — California Department of Health Care Services“provides time-limited RMA to refugees, asylees, federally-certified victims of human trafficking, and others who are not eligible to receive Title XIX Medi-Cal benefits but meet RMA eligibility requirements.”
  15. MEDIL I 26-22: share of cost above 200% FPL — California Department of Health Care Services“Your income is above the 200% Federal Poverty Level limit.”
  16. MEDIL I 26-22: review before ending RMA — California Department of Health Care Services“Counties must always review for other Medi-Cal program eligibility before terminating RMA.”
  17. State Hearing Requests — California Department of Social Services“you have 90 days to request a state hearing.”