PD 23-23: Extension of Parolee Status for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees-Less than a Year
| Date: | 8/24/2023 |
| To: | Eligibility Staff |
| From: | Romelia Cuellar, SSA BPIS |
| Reference: | CDSS Refugee Program Bureau |
Background
Program Directive 2022-15 details the authority the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) received to provide resettlement assistance and other benefits available for refugee to specific Ukrainian populations and other non-Ukrainian individuals in response to their displacement from Ukraine and entry into the United States. ORR benefits are federally funded.
PD 2022-15 provides the following information:
• ORR Eligible Categories
• The Period of Eligibility
• ORR Refugee Benefits and Services
• Benefit Programs
• SSN and Sponsor Deeming
• Acceptable Immigration Documents and SAVE Verification
Change
The California Department of Social Services Refugee Program Bureau has instructed counties to continue aid for Ukrainian humanitarian parolees (UHP’s) paroled between 2/24/22 and 4/25/22 and prior to 2/24/22 who were paroled less than a year as they have been automatically extended for one year. They have received a new I-797 extending the previous Employment Authorization Document and they can download the new electronic I-94 with the new extension date.
If an individual has not yet received the proof of extension, refer them to visit https://help.cbp.gov/s/questions, then select:
• Topic: I-94/Traveler Compliance
• Sub-topic: Ukrainians Paroled into US-Russia Invasion
The parole status may be reviewed at RRR/SAR 7 and request the new extended date.
Important: UHP’s are not to be discontinued when the parole status has expired. If someone is unable to provide proof after referring them to the website mentioned above, contact the CalWORKs Coordinator through the appropriate channel for further guidance.
Implementation
The changes in this PD are effective immediately and if a UHP has been discontinued solely due to expiration of parolee status, the negative action should be rescinded.
Case listing
A case listing will be provided for any individuals that will need to be rescinded.