Sponsorship
Effective Jan. 27, 2025, the Trump administration announced the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) until further notice. As a result, there is a halt on all refugee admissions, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis. This includes the Welcome Corps, a private sponsorship program under the USRAP. For additional guidance on this policy change, see this explainer from Welcome.US.
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The United States has long been a beacon of hope and place of refuge for those fleeing persecution. For generations, millions of Americans who started out as refugees have made incredible contributions to our country. This continues to hold true today.
By the summer of 2022, there were more than 103 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Of those, 32.5 million people were refugees. In Missouri, we welcomed more than 2,500 refugees in FY2022. We resettled more than 1,800 Afghan Humanitarian Parolees through Operation Allies Welcome, and we’ve opened our arms to more than 700 Ukrainians statewide since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Over the last year, we’ve seen the launch of programs such as Welcome Corps, the Processes for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan (CHNV) parolees, Uniting for Ukraine, and Sponsor Circles. These private sponsorship programs empower everyday Americans to play a leading role in welcoming refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and supporting their resettlement and integration as they build new lives in the United States. Organizations and coalitions, such as Refugee Welcome Collective and Welcome.US have also bolstered sponsors by providing training and demystifying aspects of refugee resettlement. Through private sponsorship and aid networks, we are able to bring in more Americans to welcome and directly support newcomers, utilizing the power of civil society and Americans’ deep desire to help.
Sponsorship not only provides critical support to newcomers, but uplifts entire communities in the process.
American communities benefit enormously from newcomers’ expertise, experience, and courage. But first, they need a helping hand as they get settled in their new communities.
We want to provide you with the tools you and future beneficiaries may need to be that helping hand.
Below, you will find important resources, guides, and contact information to help you on your sponsorship journey. Included are the contacts for local resettlement agencies near you along with state-level contacts who can help you navigate challenges or answer questions as they arise.
Thank you for choosing to take this important step. We look forward to working together with you to welcome another new family to Missouri.
Sincerely,
Paul Costigan
State Refugee Coordinator
Key Resources
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ACF: Administration for Children and Families
AHP: Afghan Humanitarian Parolee
APA: Afghan Placement and Assistance, can refer to the program or client in a program
CCCNMO: Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, based in Jefferson City. Their Immigration Services team operates out of Jefferson City, and the Refugee Services team is in Columbia.
CMA: Cash and Medical Assistance
DLCS: Della Lamb Community Services
DHHS: Department of Health and Human Services
DHS: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DRA: Division of Refugee Assistance
ELL: English Language Learning
E&T: Employment and Training
ESP: Employment Service Plan
FSD: Family Support Division
FSSP: Family Self-Sufficiency Plan
FF: Federal Funding
FFY: Federal Fiscal Year
HOH: Head of Household
IEP- Individual Employment Plan
IISTL: International Institute of St. Louis
IISMO: International Institute Southwest Missouri Branch in Springfield
INA: Immigration and Nationality Act
IOM: International Organization for Migration
JVS: Jewish Vocational Service
LRA: Local Resettlement Agency
MAF: Medicaid for Families
MG: Matching Grant
MHABD: MO Healthnet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled
MHF: MO Healthnet for Families
MHK: MO Healthnet for Kids
MO DSS: Missouri Department of Social Services
MO-ORA: Missouri Office of Refugee Administration
MO-RAP: Missouri Refugee Application Platform, MO-ORA’s database
MO-RTAC: Missouri Refugee Temporary Assistance Connection program
MPW: MO Healthnet for Pregnant Women
MWA: Missouri Work Assistance program
OAR: Operation Allies Refuge
OAW: Operation Allies Welcome
ORR: Office of Refugee Resettlement
P1 or P2: Priority 1 or 2
PRM: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. “Humanitarian Bureau” of the State Department aka just the State Department
RAs: Resettlement Agencies. Local resettlement agencies are the affiliates of these national agencies. Previously referred to as VOLAGs, National Voluntary Agency
RAISE: Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education
RCA: Refugee Cash Assistance
RMA: Refugee Medical Assistance
RSS: Refugee Support Services
RD: State or Replacement Designee
R&P: Reception and Placement
R&R: Rights and Responsibilities
RSI: Refugee School Impact Program
SIJ: Special Immigrant Juvenile
SIV: Special Immigrant Visa
SOR: Services to Older Refugees
SSI: Supplemental Security Income
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aka food stamps
SSN: Social Security Number
TA: Temporary Assistance
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
UHP: Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee
USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
UNHCR: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
YM: Youth Mentoring
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Fact Sheet: U.S. Refugee Resettlement, National Immigration Forum
What is the USA Refugee Resettlement Process?, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
US Resettlement Partners, UNHCR
UNHCR created an explainer on the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program.
Who are Refugees and How Do They Arrive in the United States?: Switchboard created a toolkit designed as an onboarding resource for staff new to the field of refugee resettlement. It includes a video, reflection activity, a quiz, a glossary of terms, additional recommended resources, and more.
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Preparing for Arrivals
Learn how to set yourself, and the newcomer you are sponsoring, up for success. Find practical guides to help you prepare for their arrival, and information about connecting with state and local services for support.Journey Guide
The Welcome Corps has created this guide to provide a week-by-week process of key activities that refugee newcomers and private sponsors will complete together. The guide will help you navigate the key activities to complete during the first 90 days of the program and provides tips to help you along the way.The First Days and Months
Find out how to support newcomers as they enroll in language classes and school, look for jobs to provide for their families and re-start their careers, and begin to rebuild their lives as part of your community.Initial Sponsor Service Checklist
This checklist suggests activities and timelines for ensuring key services are provided for refugee newcomers and can serve as a guide during the initial period of a refugee newcomer’s stay in the United States.Sponsorship Plan
The sponsor and refugee newcomer complete the Sponsorship Plan together. The Sponsorship Plan includes 15 important focus areas in sponsorship. The Sponsorship Plan says what has been done and what sponsors and refugee newcomers will do next as they reach sponsorship goals. -
Cultural Orientation Resources for Sponsors and Community Partners: Receiving communities play an important role in delivering key Cultural Orientation messages. CORE has a new Resources for Community Partners and Sponsors page, including introductory information about sponsorship, refugee populations, and resources. This page also has Destination Guides created by the Department of Homeland Security. These guides list mosques, halal grocery stores, social services, and programming in local communities.
Navigating Identity and Inclusion in Refugee Resettlement: In this course, you will explore concepts of identity, intersectionality, and inclusivity, with a focus on their relevance to refugees’ lived experiences. Through stories and reflective exercises, you will be able to define these terms, as well as identify strategies and take action to deliver inclusive Cultural Orientation (CO) and apply these concepts to other early resettlement services. To complete this course, you must complete two prerequisite courses: Cultural Orientation Defined and The Refugee Resettlement Journey.
How to Apply Cultural Humility in Cultural Orientation: What’s the difference between Cultural Humility, Cultural Awareness, and Cultural Competency? What assumptions might you make if a newly arrived refugee explains they do not want to work? CORE answers these questions and provides guidance in their new resource.
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Refugees processed by the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) receive pre-departure and post-arrival Cultural Orientation to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to adapt to their new lives and achieve self-sufficiency.
CORE has everything you need to learn more about Cultural Orientation.
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You can find a list of apps for translation and detailed explanations on Switchboard’s website here. Create a free account to download the file.
Please keep in mind that these apps should be considered for things like short, simple conversations, appointment reminders, straightforward information-sharing, and initial inquiries to get a baseline understanding of what someone needs. They are not intended for sensitive or technical matters like medical, psychological, legal, or other complex needs.
State Contacts
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Paul Costigan
(314) 655-0862
costiganp@iistl.org
moora.org
911 Washington Ave
Suite 215
St. Louis, MO 63101 -
Fatema Medhat
314-377-8799
fmedhat@uscrimail.org
refugees.org -
Jewish Vocational Services (Kansas City)
(816) 471-2808
info@jvskc.orgDella Lamb Community Services (Kansas City)
(816) 842-8040
help@dellalamb.orgCatholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri - Refugee Services (Columbia)
(573) 530-0393
info@cccnmo.orgInternational Institute of St. Louis (St. Louis)
(314) 773-9090
info@iistl.orgInternational Institute - Southwest Missouri Branch (Springfield)
(417) 720-1552
info@iismo.orgRefugee and Immigrant Services and Education (RAISE) (Joplin)
eddie@raisecommunity.org -
Free Wellness Helpline for Afghans: 800-615-6514
Suicide&Crisis Lifeline: 988
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-3738
School Violence Hotline: 1-866-748-7047
Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-0210
Homeless Hotline (Kansas City area): (816) 474-4599
Homeless Hotline (St. Louis area): (314) 802-5444
Connect to your local city government: 311 (available in many major cities)
Connect to local resources regarding topics such as food, housing, utilities, clothing, household items, transportation, legal and public safety, education, health, employment, income support, individual/family support, mental health, substance abuse, disaster services, municipal services, and environment/arts/recreation: 211
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (if you or a loved one is considering harming themselves or experiencing emotional distress)
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (if you or someone you care about has been brought to the United States against their will or is being held against their will)
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (if you or someone you care about has experienced sexual assault or harassment and needs support, assistance, and advice)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (if you or someone you care about has or is experiencing domestic or relationship-based violence and needs support, advice, and connections to a safe place)
You can find toll-free numbers for various MO Department of Social Services divisions here.
Find Access Crisis Intervention (ACI) Hotlines by location for behavioral health crises here.
Healthcare
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Refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligible populations are entitled to a Refugee Medical Screening (RMS) within their first 30-90 days of an individual's date of eligibility for ORR benefits and services.
ORR holds that the purposes for medical screening are as follows:
1. To ensure follow-up with medical issues identified in an overseas medical screening.
2. To identify persons with communicable diseases of potential public health importance.
3. To enable a refugee to successfully resettle by identifying personal health conditions that, if left unidentified, could adversely impact his or her ability to resettle.
4. To refer refugees to primary care providers for ongoing health care.
Contact information:
Please contact USCRI at refugeehealthmissouri@uscrimail.org to be connected to the closest contracted RMS clinic.
Relevant links:
Learn more about the Refugee Medical Screening - Office of Refugee Resettlement
Guidance for the U.S. Domestic Medical Examination for Newly Arriving Refugees
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Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) provides short-term health care coverage to refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement eligible populations ineligible for Medicaid. Coverage is provided for up to 12 months from an individual's date of eligibility for ORR benefits and services. RMA includes the same medical, dental, and pharmacy benefits as Medicaid (Dental services vary by state).
USCRI administers the Refugee Medical Assistance program in Missouri and provides support and technical assistance for all things related to refugee health and mental health.
Covered dental services: Emergency dental treatment necessary to resolve pain or prevent infection. Emergency dental treatment resulting from an accident. 1 routine dental exam including cleaning and x-rays. Extractions, fillings, periodontics and associated x-rays surgeries and anesthesia. This is a partial list of covered services; RMA covers dental services when medically necessary and subject to certain limitation.
How to apply:
You can apply by reaching out to the nearest Local Resettlement Agency.
Relevant links:
RMA Benefits Guide (English, French, Burmese, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, and Spanish.). Go to the "State Benefits Guides/Missouri" to access the benefits guide in various languages.
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Missouri's Medicaid program is called MO HealthNet. MO HealthNet covers qualified medical costs for individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements.
Eligibility for MO HealthNet depends on your income, age, health, and individual needs. You can check the eligibility requirements here.
The time it takes to process your application may vary, and if they have to make an eligibility decision based on a disability, it may take longer than usual. If you do not receive anything from the Family Support Division after 45 days, you can contact them here.
Once your application is processed, you will get a letter that lets you know if you are eligible for healthcare coverage or not. If you are approved, you will receive a MO HealthNet Identification Card and information explaining the type of services and coverage you have. You will need to follow the instructions in this letter for your coverage to begin.
You must complete and submit the Supplemental Form linked here with your application if you:
Are age 65 or older
Are blind or disabled
Get Social Security
Live in a medical or nursing facility
Have Medicare or VA healthcare
How to apply:
Apply through the online portal here.A PDF of the application is available here to download, print and submit.
Then, you can either upload it to: mydssupload.mo.gov.
By mail: Download the PDF above and mail the completed form to Family Support Division, P.O. Box 2700, Jefferson City, MO 65102
By fax: Complete the form and send to 573-526-9400.
By phone: Call 855-373-9994 to apply.
Please include a note that states "REFUGEE UNIT" as a supporting document as a part of your application. This will ensure that your application will be processed by the relevant unit.
Relevant links:
MO Healthnet Brochure -
The Federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), part of the MO HealthNet for Kids program, is a health insurance program for uninsured children of low-income families who do not have access to affordable health insurance.
Eligibility: To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Missouri and meet all of the following:
Either 18 years of age and under or a primary care giver with a child(ren) 18 years of age and under, and
A U.S. Citizen, National, or a Non-Citizen legally admitted into the U.S, and
Uninsured (and ineligible for Medicaid).
In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the amounts listed here.
Contact information:
Main contact number: 1-855-373-9994
For more information on Missouri MO HealthNet for Kids, please call (translation services available):
1-888-275-5908You may also send an e-mail to mcplus@dss.mo.gov
How to apply:
You can apply online here.
Please include a note that states "REFUGEE UNIT" as a supporting document as a part of your application. This will ensure that your application will be processed by the relevant unit.
Relevant links:
Learn more about CHIP at HealthCare.gov
Learn more about CHIP and MO HealthNet for Kids at Benefits.gov
Learn more about coverage options and resources available through MO HealthNet
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Medicare:
To qualify for Medicare, you must meet certain eligibility requirements:
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
You must also be at least 65 years old or have a disability and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for at least 24 months.
You may qualify for Medicare at a younger age if you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease).
How does Missouri Medicare enrollment work?
If you start receiving your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits at least four months before you turn 65, you’ll be enrolled in Medicare automatically. Otherwise, you must fill out an application online or contact your local Social Security office. You can enroll in Medicare during the following periods:
Initial enrollment: Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) starts three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after your 65th birthday. If you’ve never had Medicare, you can enroll during this period. If you started receiving Medicare when you were younger, you can also make changes to your plan.
General enrollment: Choose this enrollment period if you missed your IEP. The Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP) is Jan. 1 to March 31. You can choose Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Part D.
Medicare Advantage open enrollment: You can make changes to your Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, from Jan. 1 to March 31.
Open enrollment: You can join, switch plans, or drop your coverage from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): You may qualify for a SEP if you lose your coverage or have changes to your eligibility outside the regular enrollment periods.
Medicare Plans in Missouri:
Missouri has several Medicare options available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents at least age 65.
Original Medicare: Coverage consists of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare Part A covers benefits such as hospital, home health, hospice, and skilled nursing care facilities. Part B covers doctors’ visits, outpatient services, emergency care, labs, diagnostic testing, preventative, and medical supplies. It can also cover some medications that have to be administered at a clinic or facility and cannot be self-administered.
Medicare Advantage (Part C or MA): Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare with plans sold by private insurers. Many plans include prescription coverage and may also cover gym memberships, dental, vision, hearing, and transportation to medical appointments, giving you more coverage than Original Medicare.
Medigap: Medigap plans are standardized plans sold by private insurance companies. Plans are designed to pick up costs where Original Medicare leaves off in coverage.
Medicare Part D: Part D is prescription drug coverage you add to Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Plans are offered by private insurance companies but are regulated by Medicare.
How Much Does Medicare Cost in Missouri?
Original Medicare: Part A premiums can range from $0 to $506 per month. The Medicare Part A hospital deductible is $1,6000 for each benefit period. Part B, most people pay the standard premium of $164.90 per month. The deductible for Part B is $233.
Medicare Advantage Plans: The average cost of a Missouri Medicare Advantage Plan is $7.67 in 2023. Some plans start as low as a zero premium.
Part D plans: The lowest monthly premium starts at $5.80.
Medigap plans: Plan G cost for a nonsmoking female age 65 is $134 to $738.
Relevant links:
Contact Information:
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.
Contact your local Social Security Office online here.
Cash Assistance
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Temporary Assistance (TA) is a cash benefit for low-income families to help cover costs for the household’s children, such as clothing, utilities, and other services. Once you are approved for TA, you must participate in employment and training services through the Missouri Work Assistance (MWA) Program.
In Missouri, the TANF program is complemented by the MO-RTAC program. MO-RTAC ensures that refugee families who have additional barriers to economic self-sufficiency and social well-being can receive customized, culturally and linguistically appropriate integrated services to overcome these barriers.
PLEASE NOTE: You must apply for TANF through a Local Resettlement Agency if you also want to be considered for the MO-RTAC program. If you apply on your own through the Missouri Department of Social Services, you will not be considered for MO-RTAC.
If a private sponsor tries to apply for a refugee who does not have a Social Security Number directly through DSS, they will encounter an issue. DSS will not accept an Alien Number instead of an SSN.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for help if you are the parent or guardian of a child under age 18 (unless the child is in high school and expected to graduate before age 19) and you:
Live in Missouri
Do not own resources worth more than $1,000 (except your home and one vehicle)
Do not make more than the current income limit (check through this link: https://mydss.mo.gov/media/pdf/benefit-program-limit-chart
Have (or agree to apply for) a Social Security Number for all members of your household
Answer questions about illegal drug use and agree to take a drug test if required"
The Process
The Family Support Division will process your application and any supporting documentation as soon as they receive it. This can take up to 10 days. Once your application is processed, you will get a letter that let’s you know if you are eligible for TA benefits or not.
Once approved
If you are approved for TA, your first benefit will either be loaded to your EBT card or will be sent by direct deposit to your bank account within 45 days. After that, you will get your benefit monthly. The amount your household will get will depend on a few factors, including the size of your household and your current expenses related to caring for your children.
Once approved, a TA recipient can continue receiving TA cash benefits as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Benefits are limited to 45 months (effective January 1, 2016) unless the parent or legal guardian is a teen parent under age 18 attending school, is age 60 or over, is disabled or is needed in the home to care for a disabled family member.
How to apply
Follow the 3 steps here.
Apply through the online portal here.
And upload your documents to MyDSS.
Or print and mail your application to: Family Support Division, P.O. Box 2700, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Or send a Fax to: 573-526-9400
You can also apply to TANF by reaching out to your nearest Local Resettlement Agency (LRA). If you choose to apply through an LRA, you will also be considered for our MO-RTAC program. You will not be considered for MO-RTAC if you choose to apply on your own.
Please include a note that states "REFUGEE UNIT" as a supporting document as a part of your application. This will ensure that your application will be processed by the relevant unit.
Relevant links
Overview of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - Missouri DSS
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The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
Eligibility:
Adults who:
Are age 65 and older, or blind, or have a disability.
Have limited income (wages, pensions, etc.). (Check the Income and Resource Eligibility Table here.)
Have limited resources (the things you own). (Check the Income and Resource Eligibility Table here.)
Are U.S. citizens, nationals of the U.S., and some noncitizens.
Reside in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. It does not include PueIncome and Resource Eligibility Table hererto Rico, Guam, or the United States Virgin Islands. Exception: The children of military parent(s) assigned to permanent duty outside the U.S. and certain students temporarily abroad may receive SSI payments outside the U.S.
Children who:
Are under age 18 and have physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits their daily activities for a period of 12 months or more or may be expected to result in death, and
Live in a household with limited income (benefits based on need) or resources.
More eligibility details available here.
Visit the links below to see how your income and resources are calculated:
How to apply:
Option 1: Request an appointment to file for benefits.
Request an appointment online here.
Request an appointment via phone call: 1-800-772-1213
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call TTY at 1-800-325-0778.
You can request an appointment for yourself or someone you are helping. The representatives can answer questions, explain needed documents, and guide you through the application process.
You will need to provide the name, date of birth, Social Security number, mailing address, phone number, and email address (optional) for the person who wants to apply for SSI.
If you are helping someone else, you will need to provide your name, phone number, and email address (optional).
PLEASE NOTE: You must apply using Option 1 if you are age 65+
Option 2: Start an application online.
If you are between 18-64, start your application here.
For children under 18, start your application here.
Relevant links:
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Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is a short-term monthly payment program. RCA focuses on assisting individuals and families in attaining self-sufficiency through employment and training activities.
ORR-eligible populations determined ineligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are eligible for RCA for up to 12 months from their date of eligibility for ORR benefits and services.
RCA benefits are generally equivalent to public cash benefit levels established by state governments. RCA helps individuals meet their most basic needs, such as for food, shelter, and transportation.
How to apply
Reach out to your nearest Local Resettlement Agency to set up an intake appointment. They will help your client enroll in RCA.
Relevant links
Learn more about the program on the federal Cash & Medical Assistance website
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The Matching Grant (MG) program helps refugees and other ORR-eligible populations overcome barriers and quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to become economically self-sufficient through employment within 240 days and without accessing other cash assistance programs.
Matching Grant program participants must meet certain employment requirements and must enroll within 31 days after their date of arrival or eligibility.
The program works closely with clients, providing:
Monthly cash allowance
Case management
Employment skills training
Job referrals
Family budget planning
The program also helps refugees with:
Rent, utilities, and food
Transportation
Health and medical
English language training
Social adjustment and other services
It should be noted that the services listed above can slightly vary depending on the Local Resettlement Agency administering them.
Eligibility
Enrollment in the Matching Grant (MG) Program must occur within 31 days of the individual’s date of eligibility. The date of eligibility for MG Program services is the date of U.S. arrival.
At least one member of the case unit must be expected to pursue employment and be 'employable' prior to the end of the 240-day MG service period and all other case members must be otherwise MG eligible.
The following individuals are not eligible for MG Program enrollment:
Elderly or individuals with disabilities who are expected to receive
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) within nine months after arrival;
Individuals who are already economically self-sufficient. Economic self-sufficiency means earning a total family income at a level that
would exceed the established the state income threshold for TANF eligibility,
and enables the case unit to fully support itself. Note that a minimum of one case member must be employed;
Benefits without cash payments such as SNAP, Medicaid, and RMA are allowable and do not affect the recipient’s self-sufficiency status;
Individuals receiving other forms of cash assistance or supplementary income such as Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or SSI, or participating in ORR-funded Wilson/Fish Program, or Public-Private Partnerships.
Local Resettlement Agencies offering Matching Grant Program
Local resettlement agencies, under contract with their national Resettlement Agency Headquarters and ORR, administer and implement the Matching Grant program. Local resettlement agencies are not required to offer this program.
Local resettlement agencies currently offering the Matching Grant program in Missouri are:
Jewish Vocational Services (Kansas City)
Della Lamb Community Services (Kansas City)
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri - Refugee Services (Columbia)
International Institute of St. Louis (St. Louis)
Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education (RAISE) (Joplin)
To apply
If you are located in one of the cities mentioned above, you can reach out to the corresponding Local Resettlement Agency in the first month of arrival to apply to the Matching Grant Program.
Food Assistance
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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers a monthly benefit to help you buy food and food products, such as seeds and plants to grow food.
This monthly benefit is loaded to an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and cannot be withdrawn as cash. Your monthly benefit amount will depend on your income and the size of your household. Check the amount at this link.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for SNAP if you:
Live in Missouri
Have (or agree to apply for) a Social Security Number for all members of your household
Do not make more than the current income limit (Check here: https://mydss.mo.gov/media/pdf/benefit-program-limit-chart)
Do not own more than $2,750 in resources ($4,250 if everyone in your household is over the age of 60 or disabled)
Resources do not include your home, vehicle(s), life insurance, burial plots or prepaid burials, personal property that does not bring in an income, savings and pension plans, Indian and Alaskan Native payments, or any resources you do not have access to.
Individuals who meet income and category guidelines will have a nutrition and health assessment completed during the certification process.
How to apply
You can follow the steps here.
Apply online to SNAP.
And upload your completed documents here to MyDSS.
Or print and mail your completed documents to Family Support Division, P.O. Box 2700, Jefferson City, MO 65102
Or Fax them to: 573-526-9400
If required, you might get called for an interview after your application is received.
Please do not call the Customer Relations Unit for SNAP interviews or application inquiries.
Please include a note that states "REFUGEE UNIT" as a supporting document as a part of your application. This will ensure that your application will be processed by the relevant unit.
Relevant links
Learn more about SNAP and other food assistance programs and resources.
Learn more about SNAP interviews with this FAQ.
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The Missouri Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program provides supplemental food, health care referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support to eligible pregnant women, new mothers, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five (5). Fathers, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents may also apply for benefits for the children living in their household.
Eligibility
Must live in Missouri.
Income: Household income may be no more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines. Check income guidelines here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants and MO HealthNet participants of income-qualifying MO HealthNet programs are automatically eligible for WIC benefits.
Pregnant women, women breastfeeding an infant up to the infant’s first birthday, postpartum women up to six (6) months after delivery or end of pregnancy, infants up to their 1st birthday, children up to their 5th birthday.
Individuals who meet income and category guidelines will have a nutrition and health assessment completed during the certification process.
How to apply
To apply for WIC benefits, you must contact a WIC local agency. Please call the closest agency for additional information or to schedule an appointment. Find the closest agency on the interactive map here.
Contact the WIC Participant Support Line 800-392-8209 or email WICinfo@health.mo.gov for assistance.
Relevant links
Learn more about WIC on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.
Documentation
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What original documents will you need to apply?
Immigration status
To prove your U.S. immigration status, you must show us your current U.S. immigration document, such as:
Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa) with your unexpired foreign passport.
I-766 EAD or "work permit".
I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport.
Work eligibility
In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from DHS can apply for a Social Security number.
If you are a foreign worker, they only need to see your I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport showing a class of admission permitting work. Some foreign workers must show their I-766 EAD or "work permit" from DHS.
Age
You must present your foreign birth certificate if you have it or can get it within 10 days. If not, they will consider other documents such as your passport or a document issued by DHS as evidence of your age.
They must interview anyone age 12 or older requesting an original SSN.
They will ask for evidence to show you do not have an SSN. If you lived outside the United States for an extended period, a current or previous passport, school and/or employment records, and any other record that would show long-term residence outside the United States could be used to show you do not have an SSN.
Identity
Social Security will ask to see a current DHS document. Acceptable documents include:
I-551 Permanent Resident Card.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record with an unexpired foreign passport or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport.
I-766 EAD or "work permit" from DHS.
How to apply:
You can start your application online here.
However, once you complete the online application, you will need to go to a local Social Security office to provide your documentation.
You can locate the office you need to go here.
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a Social Security card with your number on it by mail within 14 days.
Also, you can apply for a social security number while applying to receive an Employment Authorization Document. You can find more information here.
Relevant links:
Request a Social Security Number for the first time.
Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card.
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An application for an Employment Authorization Document is prepared as part of the refugee’s packet that they bring when they travel to the US. The application is taken at the port of entry and routed for expeditious processing so that an EAD is issued. Therefore, you will not need to apply separately for an EAD for the sponsored refugee. However, you can use the information below to file for an EAD in case the card gets lost, stolen, or destroyed.
It should be noted that, while refugees are usually exempt from paying filing fees, the applicant will have to pay the filing fee if they are applying for a new card due to losing the first one they received. To avoid this, the applicant can fill out Form I-912 together with their EAD application to request a fee waiver on the grounds of financial hardship, receiving means-tested benefits, or having an income that is less than or equal to 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
NOTE: Keep all the original documents and copies of relevant documents.
More information about Form I-912 here.
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A refugee can work immediately upon arrival to the United States. When they are admitted to the United States, they will receive a Form I-94 containing a refugee admission stamp.
Noncitizens whose immigration status authorizes them to work in the United States without restrictions, such as refugees, may use Form I-765 to apply for an Employment Authorization Document that shows such authorization.
While they are waiting for the EAD, they can present Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, to the employer as proof of their permission to work in the United States. After 90 days, they need to either present the Employment Authorization Document to the employer, or other accepted documents.
USCIS does not accept those who have refugee status to file their application online. Therefore, the application must be sent to the correct address with all the required documents.
How to apply:
Form I-765 must be downloaded, printed, and completed to file an application for the Employment Authorization Document.
This form will need to be submitted with one of the following:
The refugee's stamped Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record
The refugee's Final Notice of Eligibility for Resettlement (approval letter)
The Form I-797 Notice approving your derivative refugee status based on a Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative
Petition (if approved while in the United States)
Mail your completed Form I-765 and supporting documentation to one of the following addresses if your client has refugee status:
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
Attn: NFB
P.O. Box 805371
Chicago, IL 60680-5371FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: NFB (Box 805371)
131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517Relevant links:
Instructions for how to complete the I-765
Checklist for Initial Evidence for Form I-765
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You can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card at one of Missouri’s more than 170 license office locations. You will be required to submit the following valid, original documents demonstrating proof of each item at the time you apply:
Identity (one acceptable document to verify full legal name and date of birth);
Lawful Status in the United States (one acceptable document to verify United States citizenship or immigration status);
Social Security Number (one acceptable document);
Missouri Residency (two acceptable documents verifying your Missouri residential address);
Driver Examination Record (Form 100) from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) indicating successful completion of tests (not required for nondriver ID card).
Additional items, such as a certified marriage license or court order, may be required to verify a new or prior name change if your name is different from the name on your identity and date of birth verification document.
Acceptable Documents:
List of Acceptable Documents for REAL ID-Compliant Document Processing
List of Noncommercial Non REAL ID-Compliant Acceptable Documents
More information about the required documents for your application
Additional relevant links:
Missouri Department of Revenue: Driver’s License Information
You can find the nearest licensing office to you here.
Driver License Testing is performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP). Follow this link for MSHP examination station locations, hours, and contact information.
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When a person is admitted to the United States as a refugee, they must apply for a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card) in the United States after one year of being in the United States as a refugee.
NOTE: The following information about how to file Form I-485 and the required evidence that must be sent with the application is compiled based on information available on the USCIS website. The purpose of this section is to inform you and provide a roadmap for you to start preparing the necessary documents. It is not an official guide/legal advice and we strongly recommend that you read the information on the USCIS website yourself, and receive legal help while filing Form I-485. Please see the "Legal Aid" section on this webpage to find out where you can receive free legal aid.
Eligibility:
A person is eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status if they:
Have been physically present in the United States for at least one year after being admitted as a refugee;
Are physically present in the U.S. when filing Form I-485;
Have not had their refugee admission terminated; and
Have not already received a Green Card.
How to file:
Note: Each applicant must file a separate application regardless of whether he or she is a principal or a derivative refugee.
You must:
Complete and sign your Form I-485; and
Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation, including a completed Form I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status. If you are in refugee status when you apply, you need only submit a completed Vaccination Supplement Form (this is a part of Form I-693) unless there were medical grounds for inadmissibility that arose during the initial medical examination you had abroad.
To complete Form I-693 and/or only the Vaccination Supplement Form, you will need to visit a Civil Surgeon. The examination must be done by a doctor who is designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS designates certain doctors (known as civil surgeons) to perform the immigration medical examination required for most green card applicants.
You can:
Check the Designated Civil Surgeons in your area by following this link and making an appointment for yourself by contacting them. We strongly recommend that you call the doctor before visiting them to learn about the cost of the examination. The cost can vary between different doctors.
Refugee applicants may be able to visit their local health department to see a health department blanket-designated civil surgeon. These blanket-designated civil surgeons will NOT be found on USCIS’ list of civil surgeons, but are authorized to conduct the entire examination or portions of it. Please contact the USCRI by sending an email to: refugeehealthmissouri@uscrimail.org to learn if there is any blanket-designated civil surgeon in your local health department.
What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485?
1. Photographs
You must submit two recent (within 30 days of the application) identical color passport-style photographs of yourself. The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched.
The two recent identical color passport-style photos must be 2 by 2 inches. The photos must be in color with full face and frontal view on a white to off-white background. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from top of hair to bottom of chin, and eye height is between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from bottom of photo. Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by a religious denomination of which you are a member. Using a pencil or felt pen, lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of the photo.
2. Government-Issued Identity Document with a Photograph
All Form I-485 applicants should submit a photocopy of a government-issued identity document that has their photograph. Typically, this will be your passport or a similar document, even if the passport is now expired. It can also be any other government-issued identity document such as a driver’s license or military identification document.
3. Birth Certificate
Refugees and asylum seekers are not required to send their birth certificates with their application. However, if the birth certificate is available, refugees and asylees should submit a copy of the birth certificate. USCIS will only accept a long-form birth certificate that lists at least one parent.
Refugees and asylees are also not required to prove that their birth certificate is unavailable, unlike applicants from other categories.
In cases where the birth certificate or any secondary records (school records, church records etc) are unavailable, USCIS advises including personal affidavits from others establishing identity in the application.
4. Inspection and Admission or Inspection and Parole
You must establish any claim that you were admitted or paroled into the United States.
This evidence must relate to your most recent arrival into the United States. Submit copies of the following documents, if available:
Passport page with admission or parole stamp (issued by a U.S. immigration officer);
Passport page with nonimmigrant visa; and
Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record (See Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record in the General Instructions section of these Instructions).
If you cannot produce this primary evidence, and DHS has no record of the admission or parole, USCIS will presume that you came into the United States without admission or parole.
See Page 11 of the I-485 Instructions document for acceptable secondary evidence.
5. Documentation of Your Immigrant Category (see Part 2., Item Numbers 1.a. - 1.g. of Form I-485)
All Form I-485 applicants must submit evidence showing that they are eligible for adjustment of status in a particular immigrant category.
Refugee applicants do not need an underlying immigrant petition to file Form I-485. Therefore, principal and derivative refugee applicants must only submit evidence of refugee status, such as a Form I-94 or a Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571).
6. Marriage Certificate and Other Proof of Relationship
This does not apply to applicants who are applying from refugee status. Also, refugee derivative applicant spouses do not need to submit a photocopy of the marriage certificate.
7. Evidence of Continuously Maintaining a Lawful Status Since Arrival in the United States
This does not apply to refugee applicants.
8. Affidavit of Support/Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability Under INA Section 204(j) (Supplement J).
This does not apply to refugee applicants.
9. Evidence of Financial Support
If you are filing Form I-485 as a refugee, you do not need to submit evidence of financial support.
10. Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693)
Form I-485 applicants for adjustment of status are required to have a medical examination to show that they are free from health conditions that would make them inadmissible.
If you are now applying for adjustment of status under INA section 209 one year after your first admission as a refugee, then you only need to repeat the entire immigration medical examination if the panel physician found a Class A medical condition during your examination.
If the panel physician did not find a Class A medical condition and therefore, you do not need to repeat the full immigration medical examination, then you must still comply with the vaccination requirements. This means you only need to submit Part 10. Vaccination Record and Parts 1. - 5., and Part 7. of Form I-693.
To complete Form I-693 and/or only the Vaccination Supplement Form, you will need to visit a Civil Surgeon. The examination must be done by a doctor who is designated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS designates certain doctors (known as civil surgeons) to perform the immigration medical examination required for most green card applicants.
You can:
Check the Designated Civil Surgeons in your area by following this link and making an appointment for yourself by contacting them. We strongly recommend that you call the doctor before visiting them to learn about the cost of the examination. The cost can vary between different doctors.
Refugee applicants may be able to visit their local health department to see a health department blanket-designated civil surgeon. These blanket-designated civil surgeons will NOT be found on USCIS’ list of civil surgeons, but are authorized to conduct the entire examination or portions of it. Please contact the USCRI by sending an email to: refugeehealthmissouri@uscrimail.org to learn if there is any blanket-designated civil surgeon in your local health department.
11. Certified Police and Court Records of Criminal Charges, Arrests, or Convictions
You must submit certified police and court records for any criminal charges, arrests, or convictions you may have.
You need to send certified police and court records of criminal charges, arrests, or convictions (if applicable).
12. Waiver of Inadmissibility
If you are inadmissible to the United States based on one or more grounds of inadmissibility outlined in INA section 212(a), you cannot adjust status unless you qualify for a waiver of inadmissibility or other form of relief. Whether or not you qualify for a waiver or other form of relief depends on the grounds of inadmissibility that apply to you and the specific immigrant category you are applying under.
If this applies to the applicant, file Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability.
The following documentation requirements do not apply to refugee applicants.
13. Documentation Regarding J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitor Status
14. Waiver of Diplomatic Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
15. Evidence relating to the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility
What Is the Filing Fee for Form I-485?
Refugees are exempt from paying the filing fee.
Where to file:
Where you file your Form I-485 depends on your eligibility category. Review the information on this site to see where you should file your application.
For Missouri: USCIS Chicago Lockbox
Via U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
Attn: NFB
P.O. Box 805371
Chicago, IL 60680-5371FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: NFB (Box 805371)
131 South Dearborn-3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517Address Change:
An applicant who is not a U.S. citizen must notify USCIS of his or her new address within 10 days of moving from his or her previous residence. For information on filing a change of address, go to the USCIS website or contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.
Relevant Links:
Green Card for Refugees - USCIS
Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status - USCIS
Supporting Long-term Integration
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Youth Mentoring Program
In addition to the education resources listed below, several agencies across the state provide the Youth Mentoring program, which pairs new refugee arrivals with a mentor who will support their successful integration and help them thrive. Programs also provide case management to support individual educational and career development goals.
Learn more, and find a program near you.St. Louis
St. Louis Public Schools ELL enrollment resources
ELL School Enrollment Location: St. Louis Public Schools ESOL Office, 1530 S Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63104.
ELL School Registration (list of documents needed to register for school, available in 10 languages)
Additional resources:
Archived Webinar: Providing Culturally Sensitive Sexual and Reproductive Health Information for Newcomer Youth: This webinar will help you build upon newcomers’ strengths to support them in accessing the sexual and reproductive healthcare information and services they need.
Leaders of Tomorrow – Immigrant & Refugee Youth: A Guidebook on Leadership Development: Leaders of Tomorrow is a leadership program developed by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) to support and mobilize immigrant and refugee youth. It highlights opportunities for youth to expand their knowledge, strengthen their skills, access tools and resources, and improve their communities.
Integration Barriers: Perspectives from Refugee Youth: Refugee youth talk about the biggest integration barriers they face. Presenters share the findings and recommendations that came out of the U.S. Refugee Youth Consultation. The methodology for how these barriers were identified is also discussed.
Supporting the Mental Health of Refugee Students: A Resource for Educators and Mental Health Professionals is a resource that looks at cultural views on mental health, signs and symptoms to look out for, and how to be an ally and advocate for refugee students.
Find more here on our Refugee Youth resource page as well as the Education resource page here.
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The following is a list of organizations in each region that can help provide case management services.
St. Louis
St. Francis Community Services (A ministry of Catholic Charities)
Interfaith Committee on Latin America (IFCLA): work authorization clinics
The Immigrant Service Provider Network (ISPN) has a list of member organizations that support newcomers in St. Louis in different ways.
Columbia
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri - Refugee Services
City of Refuge: basic needs fulfillment, counseling
Springfield
Joplin
Kansas City
KC for Refugees: provision of basic necessities, cultural orientation.
Additional resources:
Resource Collection: Getting Started in Navigating ORR Eligibility: This blog post from Switchboard gathers some key resources for service providers who are new to the work of navigating ORR eligibility requirements and documentation.
Making Sense of Mobile Apps: A Collection of Interpretation, Translation, and Integration Apps for Newcomers: Switchboard has compiled a list of mobile apps to support refugee service providers in navigating challenges of interpretation, translation, and resource-sharing in linguistically and culturally supportive ways.
Switchboard’s webinar Assisting Newcomers with Navigating the U.S. Health Care System: An Introduction for Direct Service Providers received especially positive reviews. You can watch this and other archived webinars from Switchboard at the time of your choosing. Search under learning resources.
Find more here on our regularly updated resource page for case managers.
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Below are options for English Language Learning programs and opportunities sorted by region.
St. Louis
St. Louis Public Schools: ESOL Bilingual Migrant Program (ELL for K12 students and academic support for parents)
International Institute of St. Louis, English Classes for Adults (ESOL)
Christian Friends of New Americans, ESL Classes
LifeWise STL, English Speakers of Other Languages
Columbia
Columbia Public Schools, Adult English Language Classes (must attend the registration)
Centro Latino, English as a Second Language Classes (only for Spanish speakers)
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri - Refugee Services, English Language Training
Springfield
Ozarks Technical Community College, English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes - Springfield Campus
Joplin
RAISE, English as a Second Language Classes
Joplin Neighborhood Adult Literacy Action (NALA), English Classes
Crowder College (in Neosho ~30 minutes from Joplin), English as a Second Language Classes
Sedalia
State Fair Community College, English Language Learner Program
Kansas City
Jewish Vocational Service, Referrals to schools for English as a Second Language classes
Della Lamb, English as a Second Language Program
KC for Refugees, In-home English learning for those who cannot attend formal programs.
Kansas City Public Library, English as a Second Language Classes (English Basics)
Don Bosco Centers, English as a Second Language School
Literacy KC, English Language Learning classes
Additional resources:
The Power of Language: 5 ways multilingual brains work differently: How can schools build cultures that develop and reinforce bilingualism? Consider what is lost when students are told to stop speaking their home languages.
Podcast: Literacy for Older Newcomers, What is Practical and Effective: How can foundational literacy skills be taught to older Emergent Bilingual students? This resource by Boosting Achievement: The ESL Podcast is in direct response to educators and education leaders asking Dr. Carol Salva about phonics instruction and how that makes sense for Multilingual Learners.
Find more here on our English Language Learning resource page.
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Below are options for employment support programs and opportunities sorted by region.
St. Louis
International Institute of St. Louis, Workforce Solutions - Career Pathways
Catholic Charities of St. Louis, Employment and Job Training
Christian Friends of New Americans, Skill and Job Training, Employment Support
Columbia
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri - Refugee Services, Employment Services
City of Refuge, Professional Development
Springfield
International Institute - Southwest Missouri Branch, Refugee Support Services (RSS)
Joplin
RAISE, Career and Workforce Development
Kansas City
Jewish Vocational Service, Refugee Employment Services
Della Lamb, Refugee Employment Services
KC for Refugees, Job Placement
Additional resources:
Supporting the Career Pathways of Female Clients: Informed by field interviews, this information guide offers practical strategies for delivering gender-sensitive employment services to women from refugee, asylee, and other humanitarian immigrant backgrounds and for supporting women as they work to overcome common employment barriers.
Accessing Employment and Training Programs, a Switchboard information guide, offers information about programs funded by the Department of Labor that can help clients become self-sufficient and work towards their personal career goals.
Serving Jobseekers with Professional Backgrounds: Workforce Resources for Clients and Staff: Switchboard highlights some of the key resources UpGlo can extend to resettlement agencies as we all work to address the most common barriers for job seekers.
Find more here on our Employment Support resource page.
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International Institute of St. Louis - Language Services
Document Translation and Over-the-Phone Interpretation Service
Contact for more information: languageservices@iistl.org
Bilingual International Assistant Services - St. Louis
They serve the St. Louis region.
Minimum 2-hour interpretation services, both over-the-phone or in-person.
$80 to $100 for a 2-hour minimum interpretation for individuals who are not enrolled with their agency. It is $40-$50 per hour, but they require a 2-hour pre-scheduled appointment.
They require a pre-payment by either debit or credit card, which can be processed over the phone, or they can accept cash or check payment in their office.
Contact for more information:
(314) 645-7800 x 200.
E-mail: connect@bilingualstl.org
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help you pay your home energy bills through:
Energy Assistance - A one-time payment for one fuel type for your heating or cooling costs from October-September.
Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) - Helps pay your energy bill when you have a sudden, unexpected, uncontrollable loss of financial resources, life-threatening situation, or if there is any circumstance that threatens your stability if energy aid is not supplied. The amount of help you receive is based on the amount of money needed to settle your crisis with the energy provider.
Winter ECIP is available November—May based on funding. The maximum amount you could get is $1,600.
Summer ECIP is available June—September based on funding. The maximum amount you could get is $1,200.
Contracted agencies may also provide emergency services such as blankets, emergency lodging, heating/cooling replacement or repair, window air conditioners, or wood stoves.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for help if you:
Are responsible for paying the utilities for your home (including if you rent)
Are a Missouri resident
Are a United States citizen (or have been legally admitted for permanent residence)
Have $3,000 or less in your bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments
Meet or are below the income guidelines for your household size.
Check the income guidelines here by looking at the row named "Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program."
For more information about eligibility requirements, you can contact the Contracted Agency that provide services in your county. You can find the relevant Contracted Agency here.
When to apply for LIHEAP - Energy Assistance (EA)
Send your application on or after Oct. 1st if: Any member of your household is age 60 or over, or if any household member is disabled. You may need to send extra papers with your application to show that your household has someone age 60 or over, or who is disabled.
Send your application on or after Nov. 1st if: Your household doesn’t include a person age 60 or over, or who is disabled.
When to apply for LIHEAP - Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)
You can ask for Winter ECIP from November 1st - May 31st for elderly/disabled households and December 1st - May 31st for all other households.
You can ask for Summer ECIP from June 1st - September 30th.
How to apply for ECIP (Crisis)
If you are in crisis and have already applied for EA this program year (October - September), reach out to your local contracted agency for further assistance. If you need further information about ECIP, visit their website.
If you are in crisis and have not applied for EA this program year (October - September), you will need to fill out the entire application.
How to apply
NOTE: You must have Adobe Reader on your computer or device to open the application. If you do not have it, you can download it for free by following this link.
You can also call your Contracted Agency or 855-FSD-INFO (855-373-4636) and have an application mailed to you if needed.
Apply Online
Select the submit button at the end of the application document.
Next, upload your saved application and the required documents. (Information about the required documents are provided in the application document)
Select upload/submit.
Apply by mail, fax, or in person
Complete the application and gather the required documents. (Information about the required documents are provided in the application document)
Submit your application and the required documents to your Contracted Agency by mail, fax, or in person.
After you send your application
The LIHEAP agency will review your application and extra papers you provided:
If your application is not considered a crisis, the agency will review it within 30 working days after they receive it.
Department of Social Services will send you a letter by mail that tells if you qualify for LIHEAP and the amount you’ll get.
The amount you are approved for may be reduced if you owe the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division LIHEAP any overpayments from previous years.
NOTE:
Even after you apply for Energy Assistance, continue to pay your heating or cooling bill so you don’t get disconnected.
When you pay your energy bill, send it to the utility company that sent you the bill, not the LIHEAP agency. LIHEAP agencies will only process your application. They will never accept utility payments, fees, or co-payments.
Links to relevant websites
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Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Phone Number: 800-444-0514 or 314-534-4200
Services they offer:
In addition to other fields, they offer legal services for immigration law. They help their clients with the Adjustment of Status applications, as well as petitioning and consular processing for family members overseas. They also do citizenship cases and Green Card renewals. Other services include assisting immigrant victims of crime and/or domestic violence. They can also refer clients to other programs that cover different areas of law in their own organization.
Eligible Locations:
They serve people in the following 21 counties in Missouri: Adair, Clark, Franklin, Jefferson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Warren, Washington. You can find a map here.
Eligibility for free legal aid:
They serve individuals who are low-income, To qualify for free legal aid, the income of an individual/household has to be below 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. If the income of the household is slightly higher than that, they try to establish spend-down categories such as rent or mortgage figures. A part of their intake process is to ask very specific questions about income and family size. Check Federal Poverty Guidelines here.
Your income or your household's income needs to be less than the amounts listed in the first table under the 125% column in the link above to qualify for legal aid.
Legal Services of Western Missouri
Phone Number: (816) 474-6750
Services they offer:
Legal Services of Western Missouri handles cases of Lawful Permanent Residents/green card holders (LPR) who want to apply to become US Citizens, LPRs who need to renew their green cards, assist LPR or US citizens to apply for their family members, help adults or children prove that they may already be a US Citizen because of their parents, as well as assist in US passport applications. They are also able to assist survivors of domestic violence, crimes, and human trafficking review their immigration options.
Eligible Locations:
They serve people in the following 40 counties in Missouri: Andrew, Atchison, Barton, Bates, Benton, Buchanan, Caldwell, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Hickory, Holt, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, McDonald, Mercer, Morgan, Newton, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Ray, Saline, St. Clair, Sullivan, Vernon, Worth. You can find a map here.
Eligibility for free legal aid:
There is no charge for their legal services. However, you may be asked to pay other costs associated with your case such as filing fees, deposition fees, transcript fees, or other court costs. Legal Aid does have resources to help with these associated costs of litigation.
Hand in Hand Multicultural Center
Phone Number: 417-865-4673
Located in Springfield, MO, Hand in Hand Multicultural Center provides Legal Immigration Services.
They offer services for:
Legal Documents and Forms
Citizenship
Green Cards (Adjustment of Status)
Family Petitions
DACA
Translations
The FIRST consultation that is scheduled with them is free of charge. It should be noted that their services are NOT free of charge.
Call their office to schedule your first consultation.
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri - Family Immigration Services
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri Family Immigration Services provides low-fee immigration legal services with their DOJ Accredited Representatives. Family Immigration Services clients pay a nominal fee for our services. Clients of CCCNMO may pay as little as 1/10 the cost of legal services provided by an attorney or practice.
Contact:
Lorna Tran
Email: ltran@cccnmo.org
Phone Number: 573-658-0310
Main Office Phone Number: 573-635-7719Services they offer:
Immigration legal consultations
Immigration form preparation of documents and payments
Obtaining Lawful Permanent Residence (Green Card)
Family petitions (I-130s)
U.S. Citizen (USC)
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
Family unity petitions
Fiancé petitions
Naturalization applications for adults, for minors entitled to citizenship through parents
Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests
USCIS Fee Waivers (if eligible)
Overseas Consular processing
Travel documents
Re-entry permits
Refugee travel documents
Advanced parole documents
Referrals for U Visas, T Visas and relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Refugee petitions (I-730s)
Adjustment of status for refugees and asylees
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Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
With a housing choice voucher, you can find your own private housing to rent. Housing choice vouchers can pay for all or part of the rent.
The vouchers are for families with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities. You can use them for privately owned single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.
Eligibility for a housing choice voucher is based on:
Your total annual gross income (and how it compares to Median Area Income)
Your family's size
Housing choice vouchers are limited to U.S. citizens and non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
Find and contact your local public housing agency to learn more about your eligibility for a housing choice voucher.
Some PHAs have long waiting lists, so you may want to apply at more than one PHA. Your PHA can also give you a list of locations at which your voucher can be used. (Source: HUD)
Subsidized Rental Housing and Public Housing
In subsidized housing, the government pays apartment owners to offer reduced rents to tenants with low incomes.
Public housing is designed for people with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities at rents they can afford.
Each city or county has its own eligibility rules for affordable housing based on household income, Median Area Income, and elderly/disability status. To find out if you are eligible, contact your local housing authority by using the links below.
Websites of Public Housing Authorities in Missouri
Housing authorities in Missouri
Note: You may want to research public housing authorities near you as the website above needs to be updated.
Contact information of Public Housing Authorities in Missouri by county/city
Rural Missouri Rental Search Tool
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Affordable Housing Search Tool
Missouri Affordable Housing Locator (belongs to MHDC)
2-1-1 Resource Directory: You can enter your ZIP Code and search for various forms of assistance that are available in your area/region. These also include rental/housing assistance resources. Please be patient after entering your ZIP code and clicking the resource you are looking for as the website takes up to 20 seconds to load.
The City of Kansas City, MO Emergency Rental and Utilities Assistance
Greene County Emergency Rental Assistance
Note: This is from COVID funds and may become unavailable very soon.
Department of Mental Health Rental Assistance Program: You need to be facing a housing crisis and a member of your household has to be receiving behavioral support services from a community behavioral health agency to be eligible for this program.
Additional Resources
Refugee Housing Solutions provides technical housing support to resettlement practitioners, landlords and property managers, refugees, and volunteers across the United States and partners with them to develop and implement cohesive strategies to increase the availability and affordability of housing.
Housing Selection 101: In this blog post, Switchboard and Refugee Housing Solutions (RHS) focus on the housing selection process for newcomers, from walk–through to move-in. This information is relevant for providers serving clients who have recently arrived in the U.S. and have immediate housing needs (such as Afghan newcomers), as well as providers serving clients with intermediate to longer-term housing needs. They also recently published another blog post, Helping Newcomers with the Housing Search.
Newcomer Housing Tips: Four Steps for Outreach to Landlords: Switchboard has partnered with Refugee Housing Solutions to share training and promising practices related to housing solutions for newcomers. The tips in this post will get you started in forming positive landlord relationships to help secure housing for clients.
Recruit, Retain, and Engage Landlords and Property Managers: This recorded webinar from Refugee Welcome Collective provides resettlement staff, community sponsors, and volunteers with information on how to engage and build partnerships with landlords and property managers.