Mafao ya serikali ni nini?
Serikali ya Marekani inatoa ruzuku ya serikali kwa huduma muhimu, ikiwemo chakula, makazi, huduma za afya, na elimu. Mashirika ya huduma za kijamii hutoa mipango hii ya serikali kuu. Wao husaidia:
- Watu wenye kipato cha chini
- Watu wasio na makazi
- Watu wenye ulemavu
Ruzuku nyingi za serikali hutegemea mapato yako na ukubwa wa familia. Zinakusudiwa kukusaidia kwa muda. Kiasi cha msaada unachopata kinaweza kupungua au kusitishwa mara tu unapopata kipato kikubwa zaidi.
Each state runs its own program, so public benefits can vary from state to state. If you move, you will usually need to reapply for assistance in your new state.
Wakimbizi, watafuta hifadhi, na wahamiaji wengine wanaweza pia kustahiki kupata huduma za ziada zinazotolewa na Ofisi ya Makazi ya Wakimbizi (ORR).
Nani anaweza kupata ruzuku za serikali?
U.S. citizens and certain qualified non-citizens (qualified immigrants) are eligible for public benefits. The rules for immigrants can be complex and often depend on your immigration status and how long you have been in the U.S. Eligibility also depends on your state’s specific rules.
Qualified non-citizens include:
- Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders): generally must wait 5 years to be eligible for benefits.
- Humanitarian immigrants: typically do not have to wait to be eligible for benefits.
- Wakimbizi na Waomba Hifadhi
- People granted withholding of removal
- Wahamiaji kutoka Cuba na Haiti
- Humanitarian parolees (paroled for at least one year)
- Certain Amerasian immigrants
- Trafficking and domestic violence survivors
- Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
- Citizens of Micronesia, Palau, or the Marshall Islands (who are part of the Compacts of Free Association)
- Veterans or active-duty military and their spouses and children
Lawfully present immigrants is a broader term. It includes all qualified non-citizens as well as other legal statuses such as TPS, DACA, or a valid non-immigrant visa. While qualified non-citizens are generally eligible for most federal benefits, eligibility for other lawfully present immigrants is much more limited.
Who cannot get public benefits?
The U.S. government passed a reconciliation bill in July 2025 that removes some groups from certain public benefits programs, like SNAP, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and Medicare.
These changes are set to take effect on different dates, which are explained in the sections for each benefit below. The details and dates could still change.
The groups that will lose access to certain benefits include:
- Wakimbizi na Waomba Hifadhi
- People granted withholding of removal
- Trafficking and domestic violence survivors
- Parole ya kibinadamu
- TPS holders and valid non-immigrant visas (even though they already could not get many benefits)
Undocumented immigrants already do not qualify for most public benefits. However, no matter your immigration status, you may still qualify for some state or local social services and community programs.
Shirika la huduma za kijamii la eneo lako linaweza kujibu maswali yoyote ambayo unaweza kuwa nayo. Benefits.gov inaorodhesha ruzuku kulingana na kila jimbo.
Ni aina gani za ruzuku za serikali?
Msaada wa Muda kwa Familia zenye Uhitaji (TANF)
TANF (also called welfare) provides cash to families with low income. The program helps pay for food, housing, child care, and job training. You will get TANF benefits on a debit card, direct deposit, or paper checks, depending on your state.
Ni muhimu kujua kwamba kiasi cha msaada unachopokea kinaweza kuwa tofauti sana na cha mtu aliye katika jimbo tofauti. Kila jimbo lina kiasi chake kinachotegemea ukubwa wa kaya na mapato.
Eligibility: Qualified non-citizens are eligible for TANF.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Wasiliana na mpango wako wa TANF wa eneo lako kwa taarifa kuhusu vigezo vya ustahiki na jinsi ya kuomba.
Kipato cha Usalama wa Ziada (SSI)
SSI inatoa malipo ya kila mwezi kwa watu wazima wenye umri wa miaka 65 au zaidi ambao wamestaafu na hawafanyi kazi tena, au wanaopata kiasi kidogo kila mwezi. Kiasi cha malipo ya kila mwezi kinaweza kubadilika kulingana na mapato, rasilimali, na hali yako ya maisha.
Tafuta taarifa za SSI katika lugha mbalimbali.
Eligibility: Humanitarian immigrants are eligible for SSI, but only for the first 7 years after obtaining their status. Other qualified non-citizens who entered the U.S. after August 22, 1996, are generally not eligible.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Jaza fomu ya maombi mtandaoni. Unaweza pia kupiga simu kwa laini ya msaada ya SSI kwa 1-800-772-1213. Utapokea miadi ya kukamilisha ombi lako.
Bima ya Ulemavu ya Hifadhi ya Jamii (SSDI)
SSDI inatoa mapato kwa watu wenye ulemavu ambao unawazuia au unapunguza uwezo wao wa kufanya kazi kwa mwaka mmoja au zaidi. Malipo yako ya kila mwezi yanategemea historia yako ya kazi. Pia, utapata bima ya afya kupitia Medicare.
Learn more about benefits for people with disabilities.
Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Full-scope Medicaid provides free or low-cost health insurance to older adults, people with disabilities, children, pregnant women, and families with low incomes.
“Emergency” Medicaid pays for emergency services, including being in the hospital. Emergency Medicaid is available for immigrants who are not considered qualified non-citizens but meet all income and state residency rules. Undocumented immigrants and other immigrants not eligible for full-scope Medicaid can apply.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides free or low-cost health coverage for children and pregnant women. This is for families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
Note: Medicaid and CHIP are likely to be called something different in your state.
Eligibility: Qualified non-citizens, lawfully residing children, and pregnant women in many states. Wait periods can vary based on when you entered. Children who receive foster care do not have to wait.
Refugees, asylees, survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, and parolees are currently eligible for Medicaid and CHIP, but will not be eligible starting October 2026. Pregnant women and children will still qualify in some states.
How to apply: Fill out an application with your state Medicaid or CHIP agency, or contact them for eligibility information and how to apply.
Medicare
Medicare inatoa bima ya afya ya bila malipo au ya bei nafuu kwa watu wazima wenye umri wa miaka 65 au zaidi na watu wenye ulemavu na magonjwa makubwa.
Eligibility: Lawfully present immigrants are eligible for Medicare based on certain work history or residency requirements.
Refugees, asylees, survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, and parolees will not be newly eligible for Medicare. If you are currently enrolled, you will lose access starting January 4, 2027.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Jaza ombi la mtandaoni la Medicare. Unaweza kujiandikisha kwenye Medicare unapojiunga na ruzuku za Hifadhi ya Jamii au unapostaafu. Piga simu kwenye namba ya Medicare kwa 1-800-633-4227 ili kupata msaada katika lugha yako.
Health Insurance (ACA) Marketplace
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a government program that allows you to buy private health insurance. You may qualify for lower costs on monthly premiums and savings on out-of-pocket costs based on your income.
Eligibility: Lawfully present immigrants are eligible to apply.
- DACA recipients will no longer be eligible starting August 25, 2025, and coverage ends for enrolled recipients on October 1, 2025.
- Lawfully present immigrants who earn less than the federal poverty level cannot apply for the ACA starting December 31, 2025.
- Refugees, asylees, survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, parolees, and TPS holders are currently eligible for ACA health insurance, but will not be eligible starting December 31, 2026.
Jinsi ya kutuma maombi: Jaza fomu ya maombi na Soko la Bima ya Afya.
Mpango Msaada wa Lishe ya Ziada (SNAP)
SNAP (food stamps) husaidia familia zenye kipato cha chini kununua chakula kwa kutumia kadi. Utapokea ruzuku ya SNAP kwenye kadi ya Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). Inafanya kazi kama kadi ya benki.
Kila mwezi, unapokea kiasi fulani cha pesa kwenye kadi yako. Unaweza kutumia kadi kununua bidhaa za vyakula katika maduka yaliyoidhinishwa. Lazima ukidhi vigezo fulani vya mapato na kazi ili ustahiki kupata SNAP.
Eligibility: Qualified non-citizens, as well as those with disability-related benefits or who are under the age of 18. Wait periods can vary based on when you entered.
Refugees, asylees, survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, parolees, and TPS holders will not be eligible for SNAP. If the change moves forward, you will likely lose access within the next few months or at your next recertification.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Wasiliana na ofisi ya SNAP katika jimbo lako kwa taarifa kuhusu jinsi ya kuomba.
If you do not qualify for SNAP or it does not cover your needs, food pantries provide free groceries and are generally open to anyone in need.
Mpango Maalum wa Lishe ya Ziada kwa Wanawake, Watoto Wachanga na Watoto Wadogo(WIC)
WIC inasaidia wanawake wajawazito na wanaonyonyesha pamoja na watoto walio chini ya miaka 5 kupata chakula, ushauri wa lishe, na kuelekezwa kwenye huduma za kijamii. Lazima ukidhi vigezo fulani vya mapato na afya ili kustahiki.
Eligibility: People can get WIC regardless of their immigration status in every state except Idaho. In Idaho, only qualified non-citizens are eligible.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Wasiliana na shirika la WIC la jimbo lako au eneo lako kwa maelezo kuhusu jinsi ya kuomba.
Msaada wa chakula kwa wazee
Baadhi ya majimbo hutoa msaada wa chakula kwa watu wazima wenye umri wa miaka 60 au zaidi ambao wana kipato cha chini kupitia Mpango wa Lishe wa Soko la Wakulima Wakubwa na Mpango wa Chakula cha Ziada. Mipango hii ya msaada inajumuisha vifurushi vya kila mwezi vya chakula bora na kuponi za kununua vyakula kwenye masoko ya wakulima. Wazee wanaweza pia kustahiki kupata msaada wa chakula kutoka SNAP.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Wasiliana na mpango wa chakula na lishe katika jimbo lako kwa taarifa kuhusu jinsi ya kuomba.
Vyakula vya bila malipo au vya bei nafuu shuleni
Shule hutoa chakula cha bila malipo au kwa gharama nafuu wakati wa mwaka wa shule na wakati wa mapumziko ya majira ya joto. Watoto wako wanaweza kustahiki kulingana na mapato ya kaya yako. Ikiwa unapokea ruzuku ya SNAP au TANF, watoto wako watastahili moja kwa moja kupata chakula cha bila malipo shuleni.
Schools must provide meals to all eligible students regardless of their immigration status.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Shule kwa kawaida hutuma fomu za maombi nyumbani mwanzoni mwa mwaka wa shule. Unaweza pia kuomba fomu ya maombi kwenye ofisi ya shule yako wakati wowote katika mwaka wa masomo.
Nyumba za serikali na vocha
The U.S. government offers public or subsidized housing for families with low income, older adults, and people with disabilities. These apartments typically have reduced rent. You can also apply for vouchers to pay for part or all of your rent. Learn more about housing for immigrants.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Wasiliana na shirika la makazi ya serikali katika jimbo lako kwa taarifa zaidi.
Msaada wa kulipa bili za huduma
The LIHEAP program helps people with low incomes pay for home energy bills, such as gas and electricity.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Wasiliana na ofisi ya LIHEAP katika jimbo lako kwa taarifa zaidi.
The WAP program helps pay for home improvements that save money on energy bills.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Wasiliana na ofisi ya WAP katika jimbo lako kwa taarifa zaidi.
Lifeline helps people with low incomes pay for phone and internet service.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Wasiliana na kampuni yako ya simu au intaneti ili kujiandikisha kwa huduma ya Lifeline.
Head Start
The U.S. government offers free preschool for families with low income. If your family receives TANF, SSI, or SNAP, you may also qualify.
Some undocumented immigrants may no longer qualify.
How to apply: Contact your local Head Start Center to apply.
Unemployment benefits
You may qualify for unemployment insurance if you lose your job. This is temporary money to help cover your living expenses while you look for a new job.
Je, mnufaika wa ruzuku za serikali nini?
Mnufaika wa ruzuku za serikali ni mtu ambaye maafisa wa uhamiaji wanaamini atateigemea serikali kwa ajili ya fedha na msaada. Ikiwa unachukuliwa kuwa mnufaika wa ruzuku za serrikali, huenda usiweze kuomba hadhi ya uhamiaji.
Ruzuku 2 tu za serikali zinazohesabiwa kwa mnufaika wa ruzuku za serikali:
- Msaada wa kifedha wa serikali (ikiwemo SSI na TANF)
- Huduma ya muda mrefu (kupitia Medicaid au mpango mwingine)
Public charge does not apply to groups who are eligible for ORR services, including refugees and asylees. Learn more about the public charge rule.
Ruzuku na huduma za ORR ni ninii?
Some ORR benefits and services have stopped or changed due to a pause on funding for refugee resettlement agencies. Some agencies are continuing to provide services to support new arrivals. Contact your local resettlement office for more information.
Ruzuku na huduma za ORR huwasaidia wakimbizi, waomba hifadhi, na wahamiaji wengine wapya kulipia mahitaji ya msingi wanapolowea Marekani. Serikali za majimbo, mashirika ya makazi mapya ya eneo husika, na mashirika ya jamii hutoa huduma hizi. Tafuta taarifa za ORR katika lugha mbalimbali.
Ruzuku za ORR zinapatikana kwa makundi haya:
- Wakimbizi na Waomba Hifadhi
- Parole za Afghanistan na Ukraine
- Wamiliki wa SIV ya Afghanstani na Iraq
- Wahamiaji kutoka Cuba na Haiti
- Waathirika wa usafirishaji haramu wa binadamu
- Manusura wa mateso
- Waasia-Wamarekani
Note: Some ORR benefits and services have stopped or changed due to a pause on funding for refugee resettlement agencies.
Short-term benefits
Ruzuku za ORR na huduma nyingi zinapatikana kwa muda wa miezi 12 baada ya kuwasiri Marekani.
Jinsi ya kuomba: Jisajili na shirika lako la makazi mapya ya wakimbizi mara tu unapopata hadhi yako. Kama wewe ni mkimbizi, utaunganishwa moja kwa moja na shirika la makazi mapya. Watakusaidia kujiandikisha katika mipango hii. Zungumza na mfanyakazi wako wa kesi kama una maswali yoyote.
Short-term benefits include:
Msaada wa fedha taslimu kwa wakimbizi (RCA)
If you do not qualify for SSI or TANF, you can get up to 4 months of cash assistance. You can use RCA to help pay for food, housing, and transportation.
Unaweza pia kupata mipango ya kujitosheleza na huduma za ajira kupitia mpango huu.
Mpango wa ruzuku ya kufanana (MG)
Unaweza kuchagua kujiandikisha katika mpango wa MG badala ya RCA. MG inatoa msaada wa pesa, upangaji wa bajeti ya familia, usimamizi wa kesi, na huduma za ajira kwa muda wa hadi miezi 8 (siku 240).
Mpango huo pia unatoa msaada wa makazi, usafiri, afya, na mafunzo ya lugha ya Kiingereza.
Msaada wa matibabu kwa wakimbizi (RMA)
If you are not eligible for Medicaid, you can get up to 4 months of RMA. RMA provides the same free or low-cost health insurance as Medicaid. You can apply for medical insurance through the health insurance marketplace after RMA ends.
Unaweza kufanyiwa uchunguzi wa bure wa afya katika idara ya afya ya eneo lako baada ya kuwasili Marekani. Itajumuisha chanjo zozote zinazohitajika. Mtoa huduma za afya atakuelekeza kwa daktari wa huduma ya msingi au mtaalamu ikiwa unahitaji huduma zaidi.
Long-term services
ORR inatoa mipango ya ziada ambayo inaweza kukusaidia baada ya mwaka wako wa kwanza kuwa hapa. Mipango hii inalenga kukusaidia kuwa na usalama zaidi katika maisha yako nchini Marekani. Huduma hizi zinapatikana kwa muda wa hadi miaka 5.
Huduma za muda mrefu zinajumuisha:
Huduma za Msaada kwa Wakimbizi
Unaweza kupata huduma za msaada kwa hadi miaka 5 baada ya kuwasili Marekani. Huduma hizi zinajumuisha msaada wa kujifunza Kiingereza, kupata kazi, na mafunzo. Unaweza pia kupata msaada na huduma za malezi ya watoto, usafiri, tafsiri na ukalimani, na usimamizi wa kesi. Unaweza pia kupata elimu ya afya na msaada wa afya ya akili kupitia mpango huu.
Mipango maalum
Baadhi ya mashirika ya makazi mapya na mashirika ya kijamii hutoa mipango maalum kama vile akiba ya fedha, ushauri kwa vijana, huduma kwa wazee, na msaada wa kiufundi kwa biashara ndogo ndogo zinazoanzishwa.
Pata msaada wa kisheria, madarasa ya Kiingereza, kliniki za afya, msaada wa nyumba, na zaidi. Tafuta ramani ya eneo lako na orodha ya huduma kwa wahamiaji nchini Marekani na programu ya FindHello.
Public benefits information on this page was reviewed and updated with the support of Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition (PIF).
Taarifa kwenye ukurasa huu inatoka USA.gov, Office of Refugee Resettlement, na vyanzo vingine vinavyoaminika. Tunakusudia kutoa taarifa rahisi kueleweka ambazo zinarekebishwa mara kwa mara. Taarifa hii sio ushauri wa kisheria.
Zaidi kutoka USAHello
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