Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The purpose of this FAQ sheet is to provide general info to families relocated to the US from Gaza, who already have a Green Card/Permanent Resident Status in the US. They might not have access to refugee programs/resources as they already hold Permanent Resident Status.
Housing Information (Coming Soon)
Bay Area Cities Overview (Cost of Living, Public School Districts)
Education (Community College, Universities, Trade Schools, Financial Aid)
Apply for a Social Security Number
A Social Security Number is required as part of the process for work authorization. It also allows you to open a bank account, pay taxes, be listed as dependent on a tax return, and more. More info here. You must go to your nearest Social Security office to apply for an SSN if you did not request an SSN card as part of your initial visa application. When you have a permanent address, visit a SS office to apply for a Social Security card/number. Take the following papers with you:
Your passport with your Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa or Permanent Resident Card/Green card, and birth certificate for each person applying for a Social Security number.
A Social Security representative will help you complete the application. You should receive your SSN card within 2 weeks to your permanent address. Your SSN should be safeguarded, do NOT give out your number to anyone that doesn’t need it (YOU may share with employer, bank, school, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Motor Vehicles, etc).
You can locate your nearest SSA office here using your preferred zip code.
Apply for a California Driver’s License
A California driver’s license (DL) is a card which gives you permission to operate a motor vehicle. A DL includes your true full name, birthdate, mailing address, signature, photograph, and physical description. The card must be in your possession anytime you operate a motor vehicle. You can begin the application process in-person at your nearest DMV office or apply online.
This online driver’s license card application saves you time by letting you complete the application online before visiting a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office in-person. When you arrive, DMV employees can quickly access your completed form and begin to process it. The application fee is $45 both in-person and online.
Be prepared to create a DMV online account. DMV uses two-factor authentication to prove your digital identity; it requires an email address and a way to receive a phone call or text message. You will need: social security number in addition to basic information such as name, address, and date of birth for the application. After completing the online application, you will need to schedule a visit to a DMV office to finish the rest of the driver’s license/ID card application process.
At your scheduled visit you will:
Provide your social security number
Prove your identity with an acceptable identity document (original or certified copy)
Your current name needs to match the name on the identity document
Present acceptable residency documents
Pay the nonrefundable application fee (if you haven’t online already)
Have your thumbprint scanned
Pass a vision exam
Have your photo taken
Pass the written knowledge test. You are allowed three attempts to pass each of the required knowledge tests. If you fail the same test three times, your application is no longer valid and you will need to reapply.
Materials to study for the written portion of the driving exam can be found here. If you pass, you can schedule your Physical Driving Exam. For more information visit. www.dmv.ca.gov
Apply for Healthcare, Food & Cash Assistance
Healthcare
Medi-Cal Insurance offers children, adults, and seniors with limited income low-cost/ free health insurance. Enrolling in a plan offers essential health benefits including: Ambulatory patient services, Behavioral health treatment, Emergency services, Hospitalization, Laboratory services, Maternity and newborn care, Pediatric care, Prescription drugs, Preventative care, and Rehabilitation services.
As a Green Card holder and Lawful Permanent Resident, you may qualify for free full-scope medical insurance (in California this is called Medi-Cal). Apply one of several ways:
Call Covered California at (800)-300-1506.
Apply Online at http://www.benefitscal.com -This is a preferred method as you can login anytime upload documents and check on the status of your case without waiting on the phone for a long time. You will need access to a computer or laptop or internet browser on your phone.
In-Person by visiting a Medi-Cal office in your county. Find an office here.
You will need:
A Social Security Number for each person (or proof that you have at least applied for one with the SSA office
Immigration Documents (Lawful Permanent Residence/ Green Card)
Federal Tax Information and Employer and Income Information (at this stage you most likely do not have tax returns or a job and that is okay).
Food & Cash Assistance
CalFresh program provides cash benefits to purchase food at participating grocery stores (each member of the family receives around $250/month). CalWORKS (Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to families in need. Qualifying families receive monthly money to help pay for housing, food, and other necessary expenses. Must have at least one child in the home.
To apply for all public benefits (Medi-cal, CalFresh, CalWorks) in one application, copies of the following documents should be included for each member of the household to show eligibility. If these documents are not available, you may include a letter explaining why the document is not available or speak with the county eligibility worker during your interview:
I-94 admissions document
Photo identification
Proof of most recent immigration status (Green Card)
Social Security Number or Receipt for Application of Social Security Number (if available)
Vaccine records for all minor aged children (if applying for CalWORKs)
If pregnant , proof of pregnancy (If applying for CalWORKs)
Lease agreement for housing (if not available, indicate current cost for housing, address of residence, and to whom the funds are paid)
Apply Online at http://www.benefitscal.com
https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cal-benefits-table-2023-04.pdf
Housing Information
[Coming Soon]
Apply for a Library Card
Public libraries are free to join. Register for a library card at any local library. It will give you and your family FREE access to rent books, magazines, access the internet and computers, and even movies. Library card memberships also grant you free/discounted access to CA state parks and programs, as well as free online courses (depending on which Library you register with). Google the nearest library near you, or check out this website for a map view of CA public libraries. You can apply in-person or on their website. You will need a government issued ID (Passport/Driver’s License/CA ID Card)
English Courses
Free Citizenship Classes (Registration Required) at Immigration Institute of Bay Area (iiba). They offer free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes that emphasize speaking and cover US topics tested during the naturalization interview. They have locations in Redwood City, Brentwood, Petaluma, Fremont, Napa, Oakland, and San Francisco. Contact info for Redwood City Office: 600 Allerton Street, Suite 101, Redwood City, CA 94063; Phone: (650) 780-7530. More information on their website here.
Check this website too for different Free English Course providers in all of CA counties.
Groceries
[Coming Soon]
Bay Area Cities Overview (Cost of Living, Public School Districts)
[Coming Soon]
Masjids in the Bay
MCC East Bay
Bike and Car donation program - there is a waitlist
Community Organizations
1) Bay Area Immigrant and Refugee Services
Help with Power of Attorney, Translation Services, Youth Social Adjustment, Job Preparation and Employment Placement, Elderly Support
Contact: Rahim Aurang
+1-510-759-3508
2) BAMREC - Bay Area Muslim Recreation
Bamrec is a platform where people from the Bay Area can grab the advantage of keeping their kids active and year-round camps, field trips, after-school clubs, courses, and preschool.
+1 408-796-7740
info@bamrec.com
http://www.Bamrec.com/
3) AROC - Arab Resource and Organization Center
https://www.araborganizing.org/
4) ANERA
https://www.anera.org/
5) RIT - Refugee & Immigrant Transition
https://www.reftrans.org
6) AMAAN Foundation
https://www.amaansv.org/
7) Arab American Culture Center
https://www.arabculturecenter.org/
8) Project Assist
In association with Yaseen Masjid to help with housing.
www.project-assist.net
Points of Contact
[ Coming soon ]
Education
Muslim Children’s Garden
Granada in Santa Clara (Private Muslim School)
Silicon Valley Academy
Averroes High School in Fremont
NorthStar Academy in Hayward (pre-k - 8th grade)
MCC East Bay Masjid can help with scholarships to here1951 Coffee Company has a free barista-training course that helps prepare immigrants and refugees to work in coffee shops and partners with several cafes in the Bay Area to hire.