How to Help Ukraine
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Information for Ukrainian refugees in the United States

No new U4U arrivals; re-parole case by case; TPS after 19 Oct 2026 extended automatically by law, but DHS has not formalised it

Information checked in October–November 2026.

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Important to know

TPS: the designation formally ran to 19 Oct 2026; DHS missed the decision deadline, so by law it is extended 6 months (to 19 Apr 2027), but no notice has been published and E-Verify and SAVE still show 19 Oct. USCIS says holders 'retain protection including work authorization' until an announcement. Parole: apply for re-parole within 180 days before it ends; with an EAD it costs ≈$2,380 per person ($1,050 + $280 when filing online, plus a $1,050 parole fee on approval). From 2027 no subsidies for Marketplace health plans. An asylum application can now be sent to immigration court without an interview. Get legal help from accredited nonprofits or licensed attorneys. USCIS: TPS Ukraine

Status and documents

How long protection lasts
Humanitarian parole (U4U): usually 2 years; re-parole for up to 2 years, decided case by case. TPS for Ukraine formally ran to 19 Oct 2026; DHS missed the decision deadline, so by law it is extended 6 months (to 19 Apr 2027), but there is no Federal Register notice yet. Neither status leads to a green card by itself.
Documents
U4U has been closed since Jan 2025 and refugee admissions are suspended: new arrivals need a regular visa. Re-parole: Form I-131, passport, I-94, proof of urgent humanitarian reasons (personal affidavit, evidence about your region, medical or family documents).
Where and how to apply
Re-parole: Form I-131 online in a USCIS account (or by mail), no earlier than 180 days before your parole ends; you can request a new EAD on the same form. TPS: initial registration closed 19 Apr 2025 (late filing only in narrow cases, e.g. within 60 days after parole ends); re-registration only when DHS announces it.
Processing time
Re-parole: 2–12 months, often 8–14 months or longer (Ukraine Immigration Task Force, 2026); USCIS publishes no separate time. If your parole expires while you wait, your right to work ends too.
When protection ends
Parole ends on the date on your I-94 unless re-parole is granted; DHS can end it at any time, and leaving the US without advance parole ends it. TPS ends when DHS terminates it for Ukraine (at least 60 days after the notice) or is withdrawn for crimes. After that, unlawful presence accrues (3- or 10-year re-entry bans).

Travel, pets and language

How to get there
By air only: Ukraine's airspace is closed, so go overland to Poland (or another neighbour) and fly to the US with a connection. Ukrainians need a US visa (interview at the US Embassy in Kyiv or in your country of residence). Men aged 23–60 generally cannot leave Ukraine.
Pets
Ukraine is high-risk for dog rabies. Dogs: at least 6 months old, microchip, CDC Dog Import Form, rabies vaccination certified by an official vet, titer test at a CDC-approved lab (≥30 days after the shot, ≥28 days before entry); without it, 28-day quarantine at the owner's cost. Cats: no federal rabies rule, but some states have one.
Languages
English; Spanish is also widespread. Free English (ESL) classes at adult schools, community colleges and libraries. Large Ukrainian communities: New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Seattle.

Work, healthcare and education

Right to work
Yes, while parole or TPS is valid. U4U parolees may work right after arrival (I-94 marked 'UHP'), then with an EAD; TPS holders with an EAD (A12/C19). EADs now last at most 1 year, and since 30 Oct 2025 a pending renewal no longer extends them automatically. You need a Social Security number (SSN).
Jobs in demand
Home health and personal care aides, nurses and nurse practitioners, software developers and data scientists, managers, cooks, construction labourers, medical assistants (BLS projections 2025–35). Since 16 Mar 2026 parolees and TPS holders cannot get a commercial driver's licence (CDL).
Healthcare
No universal public healthcare. Since 1 Oct 2026 federal Medicaid/CHIP is only for citizens, green-card holders and a few other groups: Ukrainian parolees lost it (H.R. 1), TPS holders never had it; emergency Medicaid remains and some states pay from their own funds. Community health centres charge according to income.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten (from age 5) at public schools is free; free public pre-K for ages 3–4 exists only in some states and cities (e.g. New York City). Head Start is free for low-income families. Other childcare is paid.
School
Yes. Public schools (K–12, roughly ages 5–18) are free for all children regardless of immigration status; school meals are free or reduced-price for low-income families.

Benefits

Housing support
No special housing support: under U4U the sponsor was expected to help. Public housing and Section 8 vouchers have waiting lists of years; ask local refugee resettlement agencies, charities and Ukrainian parishes.
One-time payment
None (no federal one-off payment for Ukrainians).
Monthly allowance for adults
No federal monthly allowance. Refugee Cash Assistance counts from the date of parole, so for most Ukrainians (paroled in 2022–2024) it has run out; TPS alone gives no benefits. Since H.R. 1 (Jul 2025) parolees cannot get SNAP (food stamps).
Monthly allowance for children
No universal child benefit. Child Tax Credit when you file taxes: up to $2,200 a year per child under 17 (refundable part up to $1,700); parent and child need SSNs valid for work. WIC (food for pregnant women and children under 5) regardless of status; TANF cash for families — amounts set by each state.

Cost of living

Average rent
approx. typical asking rent (all flat sizes, Zillow, Sep 2026): US average $1,930/month; New York area $3,550, Los Angeles $2,930, Miami $2,650, Sacramento $2,270, Seattle $2,250, Chicago $2,160, Philadelphia $1,900, Detroit $1,510, Cleveland $1,440.
Groceries per person per month
approx. $280–400/month per adult (USDA low-cost and moderate-cost food plans, Sep 2026; add 20% if you live alone); a family of four on the thrifty plan: $1,024/month.
Kindergarten fees
approx. $13,184/year (≈$1,100/month): average price of childcare in the US in 2025 (Child Care Aware of America); much higher in big cities. States subsidise low-income working parents.
Private school fees
Public schools are free. Private schools: on average $13,779/year (elementary $13,052, high school $17,299; 2026–27, Private School Review).
Health insurance cost
approx. $704/month: average benchmark (silver) Marketplace plan for a 40-year-old in 2027; the cheapest bronze plan averages $511 (KFF). From 1 Jan 2027 parolees and TPS holders get no premium subsidies (enrolment for 2027 opened on 1 Nov 2026).
Documents, consulates, legal helpThe same in every country: e-Consul, Diia, free legal aid, a psychologist.

All information is for reference only. Rules and benefits change often, so some of it may be out of date. Always check with official sources before making a decision.

If you spot an inaccuracy, please write to us at howtohelpuacom@gmail.com.