About Us

Client Eligibility

To be eligible for federally-funded refugee services in Pennsylvania, an individual must be:

  • A refugee
    • having been admitted to the United States as a refugee pursuant to INA § 207;
    • an asylee, granted asylum in the United States or in the case of Iraqi Kurds, in Guam pursuant to INA § 208;
    • a Cuban or Haitian entrant, admitted to the United States pursuant to the Refugee Assistance Act of 1980 (Pub. Law 96-422) § 501;
    • an Amerasian immigrant, admitted to the United States pursuant to the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Act of 1998, as included in the FY Continuing Resolution (Pub. Law 100-202); or
    • an Amerasian immigrant or Amerasian US citizen, admitted to the United States pursuant to Title II, Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Acts of 1989 (Pub. Law 100- 461), 1990 (Pub. Law 101-167) or 1991 (Pub. Law 101-513); and
  • TIME-ELIGIBLE, having resided in the United States
    • under five years, for most programs;
    • over five years, for participants in the discretionary Targeted Assistance employability program provided by the Refugee Communities Coalition of Philadelphia; or
    • without time restrictions, if over the age of 60, residing outside of Philadelphia County and participating in the Older Refugees Program; or
    • if receiving citizenship preparation, referral, community outreach or interpretation services.

The following categories are INELIGIBLE for federally funded refugee services:

  • Public Interest Parolees (PIPs), including so-called "Lautenberg" parolees
  • Humanitarian Interest Parolees (HIPs)
  • Cuban/Haitian Entrants who have not adjusted their status to Lawful Permanent Resident within two years of entry into the US
  • Applicants for political asylum, including those who have received notice of intent to grant from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).