Information for Refugees

Immigrant, Refugee, and Humanitarian Parolee Medicaid Eligibility Information (link for English) 

Información sobre la elegibilidad de Medicaid para inmigrantes, refugiados y personas en libertad condicional humanitaria (enlace para español)

UPDATES TO HUMANITARIAN PAROLEE LEGISLATION AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Due to current federal law, Ukrainian and Afghan humanitarian parolees who are paroled (arrived) into the United States on or after Oct. 1, 2023, are not eligible for federal public benefits and refugee resettlement services, including those administered through the NC DHHS Refugee programs.

Certain Afghans and Ukrainians arriving to join immediate family members who have been previously paroled into the United States may be able to continue to receive federal public benefits and refugee resettlement services.

Why is this change happening? 

In 2022, Congress passed laws that made Ukrainian and Afghan humanitarian parolees eligible for federally-funded benefits and refugee resettlement services if they arrived in the U.S. within a certain period. Eligibility for federal benefits has been provided to Ukrainians who are paroled between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023, and to Afghans who are paroled between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023. 

Congress also extended eligibility for federal benefits to Afghans and Ukrainians who arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, if they are paroled as certain family members or caregivers of previously paroled Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolees. 

This means that Ukrainian and Afghan humanitarian parolees who are paroled beginning Oct. 1, 2023, are not eligible for most refugee-funded programs unless they are being reunited with immediate family members that were/are eligible.  

Will any newly arriving Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolee be eligible for refugee-funded programs? 

Afghans who arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, will be eligible for federal benefits and NC DHHS refugee-funded programs only if they were granted humanitarian parole and are: 

- A spouse or child of an Afghan humanitarian parolee who was paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023, or 

- A parent or legal guardian of an Afghan humanitarian parolee who is an unaccompanied child and was paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023. 

Ukrainians who arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, will be eligible for federal benefits and NC DHHS refugee-funded programs only if they were granted humanitarian parole and are: 

- A spouse or child of a Ukrainian humanitarian parolee who was paroled into the U.S. between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023, or 

- A parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of a Ukrainian humanitarian parolee who is an unaccompanied refugee minor or unaccompanied child and was paroled into the U.S. between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023. 

Afghans and Ukrainians who are paroled and arrive in the U.S. after Sept. 30, 2023, and are not connected to a previously paroled Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolee as a spouse, child, parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver are not eligible for NC DHHS refugee-funded programs.  

How does this impact current Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolee clients receiving federal public benefits and refugee resettlement services, including NC DHHS refugee-funded programs? 

There is no impact on current Afghan and Ukrainian clients. Current clients who are humanitarian parolees from Afghanistan and Ukraine may continue to receive public benefits and participate in NC DHHS refugee-funded services until the end of their parole term. 

How do I know if a newly arriving Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolee is eligible for NC DHHS refugee-funded programs as a certain family member or caregiver? 

Afghans and Ukrainians granted humanitarian parole will receive a Form I-94 noting that they have been granted parole for a certain period. Providers will need to check the date that parole was granted and the parolee entered the U.S. 

If the date is after Sept. 30, 2023, providers must ask the individual if they are the spouse or child of a humanitarian parolee who previously arrived in the U.S., or if they are a parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of an unaccompanied refugee minor or child who was paroled between Feb. 21, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023 – for Ukrainians – or between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023 – for Afghans. 

If the answer is yes, providers will need to ask to see the immigration documentation of the Afghan or Ukrainian humanitarian parolee who was paroled before Sept. 30, 2023, and with whom the newly arrived parolee is connected. If the newly arrived parolee provides documentation that they meet the familial or caregiver criteria of a previously paroled Afghan or Ukrainian individual, providers may enroll them in NC DHHS refugee-funded programs. Providers must keep copies of immigration documentation of both the newly arrived parolee who is a new client and the parolee who arrived before Sept. 30, 2023, and with whom the new client is connected in the new client’s file. 

Ukrainian Refugees

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is providing support and humanitarian relief to Ukrainians who have been displaced by Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion and fled Ukraine. While many Ukrainians will choose to remain in neighboring countries or other European Union (EU) states, the United States is welcoming tens of thousands of Ukrainian nationals and family members. These individuals may be granted a range of lawful non-citizen statuses, including parole, temporary protected status (TPS), immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, and refugee or asylee. 

Most Ukrainian nationals arriving in the United States are eligible for health insurance. Certain Ukrainian nationals are eligible for health coverage through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Health Insurance Marketplace®, or Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). RMA is health coverage provided through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and is administered in most cases by state Medicaid programs. Eligibility for each coverage program depends upon the immigration status of the Ukrainian national and the state where they are residing. 

Services: 

The Iredell County Health Department offers a basic physical exam, immunizations, and necessary laboratory screenings according to individual needs, based on recommendations from the CDC, NCDHHS, and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. 
Services offered do not cover the scope of Immigration services, or any procedures, exams, or tests, that are required to be completed by a Civil Surgeon. 

Medicaid will be billed for individuals that received Medicaid prior to 10/1/2023 or are eligible to receive Medicaid as a parent, caregiver, child, or spouse for services provided. In addition, individuals arriving prior to 10/1/2023, who have not yet applied for Medicaid, are encouraged to apply to receive benefits. 

Many individual arriving to the United States after 10/1/2023 will not be eligible for Medicaid benefits. If you do not qualify for Medicaid benefits, you are still eligible for services. (Walk-in Labs and Immunizations) However, you will be billed at the time of service. 

NCDHHS Refugee Services Information

For more information on how to apply for Medicaid, CHIP, or any other assistance programs for eligible Ukrainian Refugees/Humanitarian Parolees, please contact a member of the Iredell County Department of Social Services, at one of the phone numbers listed below. 

Contact Information: 

Iredell County Department of Social Services:

Anya Jordan (704)-873-5361, extension 2163

Susan Vang (704)-873-5631, extension 2130

Iredell County Health Department: 

(704)-878-5300