Refugee Cash Assistance
Help with groceries, income, utilities, phone, prescriptions, or property costs.
A directory listing, not an eligibility decision.
UniHealth can identify a possible match, but the responsible program makes the final decision.
What to know
- Why it may fit
- Your circumstances can be checked against the program’s published guidelines.
- What to do next
- Monthly cash aid for up to 8 months, for people who cannot get CalWORKs. It is for refugees, people granted asylum, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and some other new arrivals. You apply with the regular cash aid application.
- Who runs it
- County of Santa Clara
What the program may consider
- You are in a qualifying humanitarian category
- Within the eight-month eligibility period
- You do not qualify for TANF or CalWORKs
- CalWORKs-based income and resource rules with program exceptions
How to get it
Monthly cash aid for up to 8 months, for people who cannot get CalWORKs. It is for refugees, people granted asylum, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and some other new arrivals. You apply with the regular cash aid application.
How to apply
California's one application for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid
Online it is BenefitsCal. On paper it is the SAWS 2 PLUS. One application can ask for several programs at once.
The same application can also ask for CalFresh Food, CalWORKs, Extra Help with Medicare drug costs, General Assistance, Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Medi-Cal and 11 more.
- OnlineBenefitsCal websiteApply online for Medi-Cal, CalFresh and cash aid, any time of day.
- PhoneEBT card customer service: 1-877-328-9677Set or change your PIN, or report a lost card.
- PhoneSanta Clara County benefits line: (408) 758-3800Apply or ask questions by phone, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- FaxSanta Clara County benefits fax: (408) 295-9248
- MailSanta Clara County benefits mail: P.O. Box 11018, San Jose, CA 95103
- In personSanta Clara County benefits offices: 1867 Senter Rd, San Jose; 1330 W. Middlefield Rd, Mountain View; 379 Tomkins Ct, Gilroy
Getting help
Someone can apply for you
Anyone can help you fill out and send the application. You must sign it yourself. You also do the interview yourself. To let a helper talk with the county about your case, sign a written release.
A helper can fill it out, but you still sign.
What happens after you apply
The county records the day you apply. It checks first if you can get CalWORKs. If you can, you get CalWORKs instead. Are you in your resettlement agency's Matching Grant program? Ask them first. Getting this aid ends all your Matching Grant help.
The county
The county tells the agency that resettled you that you applied. It asks if you quit or turned down a job in the last 30 days.
The county
A county worker interviews you in your own language, with a free interpreter if needed. The worker explains the work rules. Unless you are excused, you sign them yourself.
The countyOnly you can do this
Show your immigration papers, like your I-94 arrival record, asylum approval, or federal letter. The county also checks your income and savings. You must apply for a Social Security number if you do not have one. You do not have to give the number to the county.
The countyA helper can help with this
You get a letter that says yes or no. It shows the months you can get aid.
The countyWithin 30 days of applying.
Your EBT card comes by mail. An EBT card works like a debit card. Set your PIN to use your cash. You also get Medi-Cal.
The stateOnly you can do this
Unless you are excused, you meet face to face with the county's Central Intake Unit. The meeting is in your own language. They sign you up for job help and English classes. This help comes from the International Rescue Committee or Jewish Family Services. Your cash is not held up while this happens.
The countyOnly you can do this You must start taking part within 30 days of getting aid.
What only you can do
- Sign the application yourself.
- Do the county interview, and sign the work rules unless you are excused.
- Show your immigration papers.
- Apply for a Social Security number if you do not have one.
- Meet the Central Intake Unit face to face, unless you are too sick or unable to take part.
- Start job services within 30 days of getting aid, and accept suitable job offers.
- Get the EBT card and set your PIN.
- Fill out and send back the report form the county mails you. Report changes.
- How long it takes
- The county must decide within 30 days. Apply soon. Your 8 months count from your status date, not the day you apply.
- You are enrolled when
- You are enrolled when you have an approval letter and cash is on your EBT card. Your Medi-Cal starts too.
- To keep it
- Aid lasts up to 8 months in a row. The months do not pause. They count from your arrival with status, your asylum grant, or your federal letter. Cuban and Haitian entrants count from their first parole date. Send back the report form the county mails you. Keep taking part in job services unless excused. Report changes. Status date in 2026 and aid stopped after 4 months? Ask the county. You may be owed more months.
Can’t be combined with
- CalWORKs. If you can get CalWORKs, you get CalWORKs instead of this aid.
- Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP). You cannot get this aid if you qualify for SSI. If you are 65 or older or disabled, apply for SSI while you get this aid.
- Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program. You cannot get both at once. Trafficking survivors move from TCVAP to this aid once the federal government certifies them.
Coming changes
- Starting July 1, 2027: Starting July 1, 2027, many adult refugees, asylees and some other immigrants are set to move to limited Medi-Cal. It covers mostly emergencies. People under 21 and pregnant people keep full Medi-Cal. This cash aid itself does not change.