Refugee and newcomer programs

The Resettlement Programs Office works with federal, state and local partners to assist families to build well-being and contribute to a stronger Minnesota. It provides federally funded services through regional resettlement networks. These networks provide a variety of coordinated services with a whole family approach for people under humanitarian protection who have been in the U.S. less than five years.

Support includes:

• Help resolving immediate needs
• Long-term support to meet academic or career goals
• Help finding a job or a better paying job
• Free classes to learn about life in America, how to save money, how to help your child prepare for college and many other topics
• Low-cost legal assistance to adjust your status, like filing for a green card or applying for citizenship.

Note: It is important that you get help only from a person or agency that is accredited. The Resettlement Programs Office supports agencies that are accredited. Use the Resettlement Network Services provider map or the Resettlement Network Services lead agency contact list to find contact information for the different accredited agencies throughout the state.

If you entered the United States under humanitarian protection, you may be eligible for Minnesota health care programs available to residents with low incomes.

If you are a newly arrived refugee resettled in Minnesota, contact your resettlement agency for assistance to submit a health care program application through a designated process for new arrivals.

If you have one of the other immigration statuses listed at the top of this webpage, or are a newly arrived refugee who resettled in another state and moved to Minnesota: 

• Contact a navigator for free help to apply for health care coverage; to find a navigator in your area who speaks your language, use this searchable navigator directory or call 855-366-7873
• Contact your local county human services agency for free help to apply for health care coverage
• Contact CHW Solutions at 612-456-6929 to learn from a community health worker how to access services, manage health conditions and navigate the health system. 
• Apply online through MNsure, Minnesota's health insurance marketplace; view some tips for completing the MNsure online application.

Immigration status does not affect MinnesotaCare eligibility for children under 18. Apply now to check eligibility. Some people who are eligible for MinnesotaCare have to pay a premium to get MinnesotaCare coverage. MinnesotaCare helps pay for health care expenses like preventative care, prescription drugs and other health services.

The Resettlement Programs Office partners with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Refugee and International Health Program to coordinate and implement the state’s refugee health screening process. The Refugee and International Health Program partners with local health departments, private health care providers and community organizations to offer each new refugee arrival a comprehensive screening examination, appropriate follow-up or referral, and community-based health education.

If you are a newly arrived refugee resettled in Minnesota, your resettlement agency will ensure you receive a refugee health screening. If you have one of the other immigration statuses listed at the top of this webpage, or are a newly arrived refugee who resettled in another state and moved to Minnesota, you may be eligible to receive a health screening. Call the Refugee and International Health Program at 651-201-5414 for more information.

For access to health education materials and resources, see Health Education Materials for Refugees.

For access to the Health Services Directory, Diverse Media Directory and Community Based Organization Directory, see Directories for Organizations Serving Diverse Communities.

If you have children and you entered the United States under humanitarian protection, you may be eligible for cash assistance available to residents with low incomes. For more information, contact your local county human services agency or apply online at MNbenefits.

If you are a single adult or married without children and have one of the eligible immigration statuses listed at the top of this webpage, you may be eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) for up to a maximum of 12 months after either (1) the date you arrived in the United States or (2) the date you were granted an eligible status. 

As of May 2025, the RCA eligibility window was reduced from 12 to four months for people who are granted an eligible status on or after May 5, 2025.

RCA requires participants to look for work, unless they qualify for a work exemption. 

Effective Oct. 1, 2025, for residents of Anoka, Benton, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Kandiyohi, Olmsted, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns or Washington counties, RCA is now administered by staff at the Resettlement Programs Office within the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

To apply:

• Call the Refugee and Immigrant Helpline: 1-800-814-4806 
• Email RCA staff: rpo.rca.dhs@state.mn.us
• Visit DHS: 540 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155
  • Tell the front desk you need RCA help.

If you reside in any other Minnesota county, contact your local county human services agency or apply online at MNbenefits.

For arrival information, resources about different ethnic groups in Minnesota, training information and program information, visit the department’s refugee resettlement webpage for partners and providers. 

For more information, contact the Resettlement Programs Office at dhs.rpo.outreach@state.mn.us.

Source: Refugee Processing Center Archives webpage

In December 2024, the federal government projected 4,080 people would arrive in Minnesota in federal fiscal year 2025 through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. 

The Minnesota refugee arrival map shows the number of people who have come to Minnesota annually with refugee status as primary arrivals since 2012. 

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and Special Immigrant Visa program for U.S. allies from Afghanistan and Iraq provide legal pathways for people fleeing persecution to resettle permanently in the U.S. People admitted through the programs are thoroughly vetted before coming, can work upon arrival and have a pathway to U.S. citizenship five years after arrival. 

As of Jan. 22, 2025, USRAP is suspended until further notice. New arrivals are paused, but the suspension does not affect the status of people who are already here. DHS will continue to work with our partners to support people who have already arrived through the program to rebuild their lives, establish well-being and contribute to Minnesota communities.