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Resources for Immigrants, Refugees, Asylees and other New Americans
From the founding of Bucks County, immigrants have been an integral part of our history, economy, culture, and community at large. The founder of Bucks County and Pennsylvania, William Penn, was a migrant who sought the religious, economic, and political freedoms our Constitutional Republic is now based upon. This page seeks to connect New Americans with essential resources so they can effectively live, work, and learn in Bucks County.
**Disclaimer: The informational links and services listed on this guide may be created and maintained by non-County or non-governmental entities for which the County of Bucks is not responsible.**
- Affordable Housing
- Education
- Employment
- Food Assistance
- Health Care
- Finances and Property
- Supporting Organizations and Institutions
- Know Your Rights
- Apply for Citizenship or Immigration Services
- Ukrainian Refugee Resources
Affordable Housing
Depending on your immigration status, Pennsylvania has affordable housing options:
Recently Resettled Refugees
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR): Housing assistance is coordinated through your resettlement agency within your first three months of resettlement in Pennsylvania. Assistance for your first three months of rent are provided for through the ORR. Find a resettlement agency in your area.
Other Non-citizen and Immigrant Populations
Pennsylvania County Assistance Offices (COAs): provides guidance for local housing options with a housing authority, public/Section 8 housing, homeless shelter or abuse shelter; or make a referral for federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing.
Non-citizens Living in Rural Areas
Rent assistance information is available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Farm Labor Housing Loan and Grant program and the Rural Rental Housing program. The programs serve mixed households (having both US citizens and lawful permanent residents).
Education
Starting school in a new place and learning a new language can be challenging. The Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition published a Welcoming Schools Toolkit to provide information about the student services available to schools, communities and families.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Resources for Educational Programs
Pennsylvania Department of Education: Refugee Education Program & Migrant Education Program
Employment
U.S. Department of Labor: Equal Employment Opportunity, Immigration & Foreign Labor
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Working in the United States
For those with a higher education (education beyond the secondary level) degree moving to Pennsylvania, you can get a credential evaluation or other assistance in finding a job online with the World Education Services (WES) or Upwardly Global.
Health Care
There are a variety of free and/or low-cost health care resources available to people who are uninsured, underinsured, or economically disadvantaged. The federal and non-profit organizations listed below may provide or help cover a range of medical, dental, pharmacy, vision and/or behavioral health services.
If you are a health care provider, use this guide from the National Immigration Law Center to learn more about the rights of health care providers and their patients.
Free Clinic Association of Pennsylvania
Free & Charitable Clinics are safety-net health care organizations that utilize a volunteer/staff model to provide a range of health services. Visit Free Clinic Association of Pennsylvania to find free or charitable health clinics in your area.
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers are in most cities and many rural areas. These health centers provide comprehensive primary and preventive care for all ages, regardless of your ability to pay or health insurance status. Fees for services are on a sliding scale based on your income. Find a Federally Qualified Health Center near you.
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace
Pennie helps people find affordable health insurance. Depending on your immigration status, you may be eligible for coverage through Pennie. Visit Pennie’s resources for immigrants to find out what income and immigration statuses qualify for Pennie coverage.
More information for households with mixed immigration status.
Finances and Property
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Refugee Cash Assistance and Moving to Independence
Financial Support and Resources for Refugees Arriving in the US
Use this checklist to learn about your financial rights and how to protect your financial security and property if you are concerned that you may have to leave the country quickly.
Supporting Organizations and Institutions
Statewide Organizations
HIAS PA (legal/social services to immigrants and refugees)
Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition- PICC (immigrant rights)
La Puerta Abierta- The Open Door (mental health services)
The Welcoming Center (immigrant economic rights)
ACLU Pennsylvania (legal rights)
Regional Organizations
Welcoming the Stranger (legal aid/financial services/language support)
Immigrant Rights Action (legal aid)
WOORI Center (social services)
United Liberian Association of Bucks County (ULAB)
Bucks County Community College (language support)
Vita Education Services (language support)
Bucks County Human Relations Council (human rights/diversity advocates)
Nationalities Service Center (comprehensive services for immigrants and refugees)
The Welcoming Center (immigrant inclusion/workforce development)
The International Learning Program (educational support)
LGBTQ Immigrants
The National Immigrant Justice Center provides legal services to LGBTQ immigrants across the country.
Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence
The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: There are many national and local organizations that provide services to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, train domestic violence service providers, and provide information about domestic violence in immigrant communities. The following list includes national level organizations or associations only. These organizations have close connections to local agencies serving immigrant and refugee communities and should be able to make specific referrals, if necessary.
Bucks NOVA: supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs.
A Woman’s Place: a community-based social change organization committed to the empowerment of women and to ending intimate and domestic violence for all.
Consulates
Consulates promote commercial, cultural, educational, medical and governmental relationships between our state and their respective countries and serve the diplomatic needs of foreign citizens and visiting dignitaries in Pennsylvania. Find consulates in Philadelphia.
Know Your Rights
All persons, including non-citizens, have rights. The Penn State Law Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic and the ACLU of Pennsylvania created a summary of immigrants’ rights.
Apply for Citizenship or Immigration Services
If you are interested in applying for citizenship or other immigration services, learn more at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website and access forms you potentially may need.
Note: You can check the status of your citizen application by calling the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) hotline at 1-800-375-5283. If you have your receipt notice, you can also check your status online on the USCIS website. You can also contact your local Representative or Senator for Pennsylvania. A privacy waiver may be required in order to receive assistance.
Ukrainian Refugee Resources
For the most detailed information on Ukrainian Refugee Resources and Support, please visit the Bucks County Human Services Hub and the Ukrainian Refugee Resources page.
General Information
Uniting for Ukraine (U4U): Provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the US and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole.
U4U Newcomer Hotline: 215-608-1966
To get connected with refugee services in your area, please contact the Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee / Asylee Outreach Hotline: Call (toll-free) or text (WhatsApp) (833) 344 2772
Ukrainian Support Program (USP): USP provides case management services to Ukrainians with Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee (UHP) status.
Resources Guide: Additional information on Refugee Benefits, Applying for Employment, Health Care, Food and more.
To learn more about resources for immigrants in Bucks County, please email the New Americans Advisory Commission at [email protected].