Determining whether a newcomer is eligible for Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-funded services can sometimes be a challenge. This resource collection is a starting point for service providers who are new to ORR eligibility requirements and documentation. It does not replace current ORR policy letters, program guidance, or state refugee office instructions.
Mainstream public benefits, such as TANF and Medicaid, follow separate rules and state processes. See Switchboard’s Public Benefits Overview for more information on program-specific eligibility.
Federal Resources
A range of immigration statuses and categories may make newcomers eligible for services funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). These groups are often collectively referred to as “ORR-eligible populations.” They include refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian Entrants (CHEs), Amerasians, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, some Afghan Humanitarian Parolees (AHPs), some Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHPs), Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URMs), Victims of Human Trafficking, and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who previously held status as a refugee, asylee, CHE. See ORR’s policy letters below for more information on ORR-eligible populations.
- Refugee Program Bureau Policy – An updated list of all ORR Policy Letters, Dear Colleague Letters, State Letters, and URM Policy Guidance.
- Policy Letter 16-01 Documentation Guide – This guide revised April 2026 lists statuses conferring eligibility for ORR programs and associated documentation to demonstrate eligibility. It also outlines a suggested process for making eligibility determinations.
- Policy Letter 16-01 FAQ – These frequently asked questions published April 2025, address complex CHE and asylee eligibility scenarios.
- ORR Fact Sheets – These fact sheets provide information on ORR eligibility for selected
- Dear Colleague Letter 24-01 – This letter, revised May 8, 2024, addresses eligibility for Refugee Resettlement Program benefits and services for parolees from Afghanistan or Ukraine.
- For Ukrainian Newcomers:
- Policy Letter 22-13 – This policy letter, revised July 2024, describes eligibility of some Ukrainian newcomers for ORR services.
- Policy Letter 24-01 – This policy letter, revised October 2025, addresses continued services for some Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees with a pending re-parole application.
- For Afghan Newcomers:
- Policy Letter 22-01 – This policy letter, revised January 2023, describes eligibility of some Afghan newcomers for ORR services.
- Policy Letter 22-02 – This policy letter, revised October 2022, augments ORR PL 16-01 by adding information on acceptable documentation that would qualify an Afghan newcomer for benefits.
- Policy Letter 23-06 and FAQ – This policy letter, revised October 2023, clarifies eligibility for some Afghan newcomers if they have a pending re-parole application, a pending asylum application, or a pending adjustment of status application.
Are you still unsure if someone is eligible for ORR benefits and services after reviewing the resources above? ORR’s Refugee Policy Division can help! Email RefugeeEligibility@acf.hhs.gov. For state-specific guidance, contact your State Refugee Coordinator’s office.
