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Resettling in a new country and adapting to a new culture and
lifestyle can be a very stressful experience. There are many
things to learn and become accustomed to, in addition to the
services and paperwork required to complete your resettlement
process. This page is intended to help you become better
acquainted with the health services available to you in Florida
and provide helpful resources about maintaining a healthy
lifestyle.
Helpful Resources
Health Care Guide For Florida's Refugees (pdf 584 kb)
Health Care Guide For Florida's Refugees
Creole Version (pdf 578.57 kb)
USCRI Healthy Living Toolkit - Available in Multiple Languages
Civil Surgeon Locator
Health Services And Healthy Living In Florida
(pdf 2,984.0 kb)
Health Care Guide - Spanish Language Version
(pdf 562.0 kb)
Refugee Services
If
you recently resettled in the United States, there are several
time-limited services available to assist you during your
transition period. These services are designed to help you
receive proper medical screening and care, gain financial
independence, and learn the culture of the United States. The
services and length of time they are available are based on your
immigration status and date of arrival or status. This
information is provided to ensure that you are aware of the
services available to you. Click on your immigration status
below to learn about services available to you.
Refugee
Asylee
Cuban/Haitian Entrant
Victim of Trafficking
Amerasian
Special Immigrant of Iraqi or Afghan Nationality
Refugees
If
you are designated as a refugee, your eligibility for services
begins on the date of your arrival. The information below
details the services you may be eligible to receive.
Health Services
Upon
arrival, you are eligible for eight months of Medicaid or
Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). Medicaid and RMA are free
insurance programs designed to assist you with any medical
problems you may have. If your spouse or children enter the
United States with refugee status after your arrival, their
eight months of eligibility begins when they arrive.. You must
apply for Medicaid online
in
order to receive the service. It may take time for your
application to be processed and to receive your Medicaid card.
While
you are waiting for your Medicaid eligibility to be processed,
you are eligible to receive a free health assessment at your
local county health department within 90 days from your date of
arrival. They will test your blood and stool samples to
determine if you have any medical problems. They will also
provide immunizations which are required for adjustment to
Lawful Permanent Resident status. If a medical problem is
identified during your assessment, they will refer you for
additional medical care. Your medical care will be paid by
Medicaid or RMA for eight months from your date of arrival.
After eight months, you will need to reapply for Medicaid and
meet the eligibility criteria to receive those benefits again.
Agency Assistance
Voluntary agencies funded primarily by the Department of State
assist those with refugee status. If you are associated with a
voluntary agency, they will provide you with services for a
minimum of 30 days from your date of arrival. The agency may
assist you with learning the English language, public
transportation, finding employment, and provide education about
maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Cash
Assistance
You
may be eligible to receive cash assistance for a short timeframe
from your date of arrival. To learn more about Refugee Cash
Assistance, visit the
Office of Refugee Resettlement website.
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Asylees
If
you are an Asylee, your eligibility for refugee services begins
on the date you were granted asylum. The information below
details the services you may be eligible to receive.
Health Services
Upon
being granted asylum, you are eligible for eight months of
Medicaid or Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). Medicaid and RMA
are free insurance programs designed to assist you with any
medical problems you may have. Your spouse and children are also
eligible if they received asylum with you. If your family
members receive asylum status after you are granted asylum,
their eight months of eligibility begins when they arrive in the
United States or the date their Form I-730 petition is approved
if they are already in the United States. You must
apply for Medicaid online
in
order to receive the service. It may take time for your
application to be processed and to receive your Medicaid card.
While
you are waiting for your Medicaid eligibility to be processed,
you are eligible to receive a free health assessment at your
local county health department within 90 days from the date you
were granted asylum. They will test your blood and stool samples
to determine if you have any medical problems. They will also
provide immunizations which are required if you choose to adjust
to Lawful Permanent Resident status. If a medical problem is
identified during your assessment, they will refer you for
additional medical care. Your medical care will be paid by
Medicaid or RMA for eight months from the date you were granted
asylum. After eight months, you will need to reapply for
Medicaid and meet the eligibility criteria to receive those
benefits again. If your family members arrived later, their
dates of eligibility begin on the date they actually arrived in
the United States or the date their status was approved if they
were already in the United States but not included in your
application.
Agency Assistance
Other
agencies may assist you with learning the English language,
public transportation, finding employment, and provide education
about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about these
providers, visit the
Office of Refugee Services website under the Florida
Department of Children and Families.
Cash
Assistance
You
may be eligible to receive cash assistance for a short timeframe
from the date you were granted asylum. To learn more about
Refugee Cash Assistance, visit the
Office of Refugee Resettlement website.
For
additional information on Asylee benefits and information,
please visit the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s
Asylee information website.
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Cuban/Haitian Entrants
You
are designated as a Cuban/Haitian Entrant if you have Cuban or
Haitian nationality and apply for asylum, are placed in removal
proceedings, or receive parole status. Your eligibility begins
on the date you first become a Cuban/Haitian entrant. The
information below details the services you may be eligible to
receive.
Health Services
Upon
receiving parole, applying for asylum, or being placed in
removal, you are eligible for eight months of Medicaid or
Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). Medicaid and RMA are free
insurance programs designed to assist you with any medical
problems you may have. If you receive parole or are placed in
removal on the date you arrive in the United States, your period
of eligibility begins when you arrive. If you receive parole or
are placed in removal later, your eligibility begins when you
receive your status. If you become eligible because you applied
for asylum, your eligibility begins on the date your asylum
application is filed. (Family members who are not Cuban or
Haitian nationals are never Cuban/Haitian Entrants and are
ineligible for refugee services even if they have the same
immigration status.) You must
apply for Medicaid online
in
order to receive the service. It may take time for your
application to be processed and to receive your Medicaid card.
While
you are waiting for your Medicaid eligibility to be processed,
you are eligible to receive a free health assessment at your
local county health department within 90 days from your date of
arrival. They will test your blood and stool samples to
determine if you have any medical problems. They will also
provide immunizations which are required for adjustment to
Lawful Permanent Resident status. If a medical problem is
identified during your assessment, they will refer you for
additional medical care. Your medical care will be paid by
Medicaid or RMA for eight months from your date of arrival.
After eight months, you will need to reapply for Medicaid and
meet the eligibility criteria to receive those benefits again.
Agency Assistance
Other
agencies may assist you with learning the English language,
public transportation, finding employment, and provide education
about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about these
providers, visit the
Office of Refugee Services website under the Florida
Department of Children and Families.
Cash
Assistance
You
may be eligible to receive cash assistance for a short timeframe
from your date of arrival or status. To learn more about Refugee
Cash Assistance, visit the
Office of Refugee Resettlement website.
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Victims of Trafficking
If
you are a Victim of Trafficking (VOT), your eligibility for
services begins on the date the Office of Refugee Resettlement
(ORR) certified your eligibility (or recognized your eligibility
if you are under 18 years of age). Your letter from ORR gives
your certificate date (or eligibility date, if under 18 years of
age). If family members receive T-2 or T-3 visas, their
eligibility starts when they arrive. The information below
details the services you may be eligible to receive.
Health Services
Upon
becoming certified as a VOT, you are eligible for eight months
of Medicaid or Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). Medicaid and
RMA are free insurance programs designed to assist you with any
medical problems you may have. Family members with T-2 or T-3
visa status begin their eight months of eligibility when they
arrive in the United States. You must
apply for Medicaid online
in
order to receive the service. It may take time for your
application to be processed and to receive your Medicaid card.
While
you are waiting for your Medicaid eligibility to be processed,
you are eligible to receive a free health assessment at your
local county health department within 90 days from your date of
certification. They will test your blood and stool samples to
determine if you have any medical problems. They will also
provide immunizations which are required for adjustment to
Lawful Permanent Resident status. If a medical problem is
identified during your assessment, they will refer you for
additional medical care. Your medical care will be paid by
Medicaid or RMA for eight months from your certification. After
eight months, you will need to reapply for Medicaid and meet the
eligibility criteria to receive those benefits again.
Agency Assistance
Other
agencies may assist you with learning the English language,
public transportation, finding employment, and provide education
about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about these
providers, visit the
Office of Refugee Services website under the Florida
Department of Children and Families.
Cash
Assistance
You
may be eligible to receive cash assistance for a short timeframe
from the date ORR recognized you as a VOT. Your family members’
eligibility begins on the date they arrived in the United States
with a T-1 or T-2 visa. To learn more about Refugee Cash
Assistance, visit the
Office of Refugee Resettlement website.
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Amerasians
If
you are designated as an Amerasian, your eligibility for
services begins on your date of arrival. The information below
details the services you may be eligible to receive.
Health Services
Upon
arrival, you are eligible for eight months of Medicaid or
Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). Medicaid and RMA are free
insurance programs designed to assist you with any medical
problems you may have. If your spouse or children with Amerasian
status arrive in the United States after you, their eight months
of eligibility starts when they arrive. You must
apply for Medicaid online
in
order to receive the service. It may take time for your
application to be processed and to receive your Medicaid card.
While
you are waiting for your Medicaid eligibility to be processed,
you are eligible to receive a free health assessment at your
local county health department within 90 days from your date of
arrival. They will test your blood and stool samples to
determine if you have any medical problems. If a medical problem
is identified during your assessment, they will refer you for
additional medical care. Your medical care will be paid by
Medicaid or RMA for eight months from your date of arrival.
After eight months, you will need to reapply for Medicaid and
meet the eligibility criteria to receive those benefits again.
Agency Assistance
Voluntary agencies funded by the Department of State assist
individuals with Amerasian status. If you are associated with a
voluntary agency, they will provide you with services for a
minimum of 30 days from your date of arrival. The agency may
assist you with learning the English language, public
transportation, finding employment, and provide education about
maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Cash
Assistance
You
may be eligible to receive cash assistance for a short timeframe
from your date of arrival. To learn more about Refugee Cash
Assistance, visit the
Office of Refugee Resettlement website.
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Special Immigrants of Iraqi or
Afghan Nationality
If
you are an Iraqi or Afghan national and come to the United
States with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), your eligibility for
services begins when you arrive in the United States. If you are
already in the United States at the time your visa as a Special
Immigrant is approved, your eligibility begins when your status
is approved. The information below details the services you may
be eligible to receive.
Health Services
Upon
arrival or when your status is approved, you are eligible for
eight eight months of Medicaid or Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA).
Medicaid and RMA are free insurance programs designed to assist
you with any medical problems you may have. If your spouse or
children follow you to the United States with a Special
Immigrant Visa and are also Iraqi or Afghan nationals, their
eight months of eligibility begins when they arrive. You must
apply for Medicaid online
in
order to receive the service. It may take time for your
application to be processed and to receive your Medicaid card.
While
you are waiting for your Medicaid eligibility to be processed,
you are eligible to receive a free health assessment at your
local county health department within 90 days from your date of
arrival. They will test your blood and stool samples to
determine if you have any medical problems. If a medical problem
is identified during your assessment, they will refer you for
additional medical care. Your medical care will be paid by
Medicaid or RMA for up to 8 months after you arrive. Under
current laws, you will no longer be eligible after 8 months.
Agency Assistance
Voluntary agencies funded by the Department of State may assist
Iraqi or Afghan nationals who receive Special Immigrant Visas.
If you are associated with a voluntary agency, they will provide
you with services for a minimum of 30 days after you arrive.
Other agencies may also assist you for up to eight months after
your arrival with learning the English language, public
transportation, finding employment, and provide education about
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about these
providers, visit the
Office of Refugee Services website under the Florida
Department of Children and Families.
Cash
Assistance
You
may be eligible to receive cash assistance for a short timeframe
from your date of arrival. To learn more about Refugee Cash
Assistance, visit the
Office of Refugee Resettlement website.
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