Key Takeaways
• Vermont support mainly serves refugees with official status and limited help for asylum seekers due to funding constraints.
• USCRI Vermont and CASP offer housing, legal, and basic aid for eligible refugees and asylum seekers statewide.
• New Office of New Americans may expand immigrant support by 2026; until then, eligibility depends on immigration status.
If you are a refugee or asylum seeker considering Vermont in 2025, it’s important to know what support is available, who qualifies, and what steps you can take to access these resources. Vermont offers a mix of state, nonprofit, and community-based programs, but eligibility and the level of help you receive can depend on your immigration status, country of origin, and other factors. This guide will help you figure out if you qualify for Vermont’s refugee and asylum seeker support, what you need to apply, what might disqualify you, and what to do if you’re not eligible right now.
Who Qualifies for Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support in Vermont?
Vermont’s support system is designed mainly for two groups:
- Refugees – People who have been granted refugee status by the United States 🇺🇸 government before arriving in the country. This status is usually given to people fleeing war, violence, or persecution in their home country.
- Asylum Seekers – People who are already in the United States 🇺🇸 and are applying for protection because they fear harm if they return to their home country.
Let’s look at the main programs and their eligibility rules.
State Refugee Office: Who Can Get Help?
Eligibility:
- Refugees: If you have official refugee status, you can get help from the Vermont State Refugee Office. This includes people resettled through the federal refugee program.
- Certain Other Immigrants: Some support may be available for people with similar statuses, like Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders or people with humanitarian parole, but this is limited.
- Asylum Seekers: The State Refugee Office has very limited ability to help asylum seekers due to funding and staffing shortages.
Requirements:
- Proof of refugee status (such as your I-94 form or refugee travel document)
- Living in Vermont
Disqualifying Factors:
- If you are an asylum seeker who has not yet received a decision, you may not be eligible for most State Refugee Office services.
- If you are an undocumented immigrant or have another status not recognized by the federal refugee program, you will likely not qualify.
Examples:
- Yes: A family from Syria resettled in Vermont as refugees in 2024 can get help with housing, employment, and health services.
- No: An asylum seeker from Honduras who arrived in Vermont in 2025 and is waiting for a court hearing cannot get most services from the State Refugee Office.
How to Apply:
- Contact the Vermont State Refugee Office directly. You can find more information on the official Vermont Agency of Human Services website.
Nonprofit and Community-Based Support: Who Qualifies?
Several nonprofit groups in Vermont offer help to both refugees and asylum seekers. Each has its own rules.
USCRI Vermont
Eligibility:
- Refugees: All refugees resettled in Vermont, especially from countries like Bhutan, DRC, Eritrea, Iraq, Russia, Somalia, Syria, and Ukraine.
- Afghan Refugees: Special homeownership programs are available for Afghan refugees.
- Other Immigrants: Some services may be open to other immigrants, but priority is given to refugees.
Requirements:
- Proof of refugee status or, for Afghan homeownership, proof of Afghan origin and resettlement status.
- Living in Vermont.
Disqualifying Factors:
- Asylum seekers and immigrants without refugee status may not qualify for all services, especially housing programs.
Examples:
- Yes: An Afghan refugee family resettled in 2024 can apply for the homeownership program.
- No: A Russian asylum seeker waiting for a decision cannot access the homeownership program but may get other help.
How to Apply:
- Contact USCRI Vermont at 802-654-1704 or email [email protected].
Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP)
Eligibility:
- Asylum Seekers: People in Vermont who are applying for asylum.
- Other Immigrants: Some services, like legal workshops, are open to all immigrants.
Requirements:
- Proof that you are an asylum seeker (such as a pending asylum application or notice to appear in court).
- Living in Vermont.
Disqualifying Factors:
- Direct legal intake is currently closed, so you cannot get one-on-one legal help unless you are referred.
- If you are not an asylum seeker or immigrant, you do not qualify.
Examples:
- Yes: A Haitian asylum seeker in Burlington can attend a “Know Your Rights” workshop.
- No: A U.S. citizen or permanent resident cannot use VAAP services.
How to Apply:
- Visit www.vaapvt.org for resources and workshop schedules.
Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP)
Eligibility:
- Asylum Seekers: People in Southern Vermont who are applying for asylum.
- Families and Individuals: Both single adults and families can get help.
Requirements:
- Proof of asylum application or intent to apply.
- Living in Southern Vermont.
Disqualifying Factors:
- Refugees with full status may not be eligible for all CASP services.
- People outside Southern Vermont may not qualify.
Examples:
- Yes: A Guatemalan family seeking asylum in Brattleboro can get help with food, shelter, and legal paperwork.
- No: A refugee family in Burlington may not qualify for CASP’s main programs.
How to Apply:
- Visit www.caspvt.org for more information.
Education and Workforce Programs: Who Can Join?
Burlington School District (BSD) Programs
Eligibility:
- Refugee and Immigrant Students: Students from refugee or immigrant backgrounds enrolled in BSD schools.
- Teachers and Staff: Professional development is available for educators working with these students.
Requirements:
- Enrollment in a BSD school.
- Proof of refugee or immigrant background (usually provided during school registration).
Disqualifying Factors:
- Students not enrolled in BSD schools cannot participate.
- U.S.-born students without immigrant or refugee backgrounds may not qualify for some targeted programs.
Examples:
- Yes: A Somali refugee student in Burlington High School can join English language support classes.
- No: A U.S.-born student with no immigrant background cannot access these specialized supports.
How to Apply:
- Contact your BSD school or visit the BSD website for conference and program details.
USCRI Workforce Development
Eligibility:
- Refugees and Immigrants: People resettled in Vermont who want job training or help finding work.
Requirements:
- Proof of refugee or immigrant status.
- Living in Vermont.
Disqualifying Factors:
- U.S. citizens or people without immigrant backgrounds do not qualify.
Examples:
- Yes: An Eritrean refugee looking for a job in Burlington can join a workforce training program.
- No: A U.S. citizen cannot join these programs.
How to Apply:
- Contact USCRI Vermont for more information.
Disqualifying Factors Across Programs
You may be disqualified from Vermont’s refugee and asylum seeker support if:
- You do not have proof of refugee or asylum seeker status.
- You are not living in Vermont.
- You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) without recent refugee or asylum history.
- You are outside the specific area served by a program (for example, CASP only serves Southern Vermont).
- You are seeking a service that is currently closed or limited due to funding (such as VAAP’s direct legal intake).
What If You Don’t Qualify? Alternative Options
If you do not qualify for Vermont’s main refugee or asylum seeker programs, you still have some options:
- General Social Services: You may be able to access food banks, free clinics, or emergency shelters open to all Vermont residents, regardless of immigration status.
- Legal Aid: Some legal aid organizations in Vermont offer help to low-income residents, including immigrants, for certain issues. Check with Vermont Legal Aid for more information.
- Community Groups: Local churches, mosques, and community centers sometimes offer support to immigrants and newcomers.
- Education: Adult education centers may offer English classes or job training to all residents, including immigrants.
How to Improve Your Chances of Qualifying
If you are not eligible right now, here are steps you can take to improve your chances:
- Apply for Refugee or Asylum Status: If you have not yet applied, start your application as soon as possible. For asylum, you can use Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
- Keep All Documents: Save every letter, form, and ID you receive from immigration authorities. You will need these to prove your status.
- Stay in Touch with Local Organizations: Even if you don’t qualify now, programs and funding can change. Sign up for updates from USCRI Vermont, VAAP, or CASP.
- Attend Workshops: Many groups offer free “Know Your Rights” sessions and legal information events. These can help you understand your options and prepare for future applications.
- Volunteer: Sometimes, volunteering with community organizations can help you build connections and learn about new opportunities.
Pending Changes and Future Opportunities
Vermont lawmakers are considering a new Office of New Americans that could expand support for all immigrants, not just refugees. If this office is created, more people—including asylum seekers and other foreign-born residents—may qualify for state-level help. The study committee for this office will report by September 2026, so changes could come in the next year or two.
Advocates like Tracy Dolan, Director of the State Refugee Office, and Khalil Anwari, USCRI Program Manager, are pushing for more funding and better coordination. If you are not eligible now, keep checking for updates—new programs may open up as Vermont responds to federal funding cuts and changing needs.
Key Contacts for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Vermont
Here are some important organizations and how to reach them:
- USCRI Vermont
- Director: Sonali Samarasinghe
- Phone: 802-654-1704
- Email: [email protected]
- Services: Housing, employment, health, legal, interpretation
- Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP)
- Website: www.vaapvt.org
- Services: Legal assistance, Know Your Rights, volunteer programs
- Community Asylum Seekers Project (CASP)
- Website: www.caspvt.org
- Services: Basic needs, asylum process help, workshops
- Vermont State Refugee Office
- Director: Tracy Dolan
- Services: Refugee resettlement coordination (limited capacity)
- Burlington School District (BSD)
- Find conference and program info on the BSD website
Summary: What Should You Do Next?
- Check your status: Are you a refugee, asylum seeker, or another type of immigrant? This will determine which programs you can use.
- Gather your documents: Proof of status is required for almost all services.
- Contact the right organization: Use the contact list above to reach out for help.
- Stay informed: Laws and programs are changing. Watch for updates about the Office of New Americans and other new initiatives.
- Explore alternatives: If you don’t qualify, look into general social services, legal aid, and community groups.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, Vermont’s support system for refugees and asylum seekers is in transition, with new programs and policies under discussion. While federal funding cuts have made things harder, local organizations and state officials are working to fill the gaps. If you are a refugee or asylum seeker in Vermont, you have options—but it’s important to know the rules, keep your paperwork, and stay connected to community resources.
For more information about refugee resettlement and state-level support, visit the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement for official guidance and updates.
By understanding the eligibility rules and taking the right steps, you can make the most of Vermont’s resources for refugees and asylum seekers in 2025 and beyond.
Learn Today
Refugee → An individual granted protection before entering the US, fleeing persecution or violence in their home country.
Asylum Seeker → A person inside the US applying for protection fearing harm if they return to their country.
State Refugee Office → A Vermont government office providing resettlement and social services primarily to federally recognized refugees.
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) → A legal visa for certain individuals, such as Iraqi or Afghan allies, allowing US resettlement.
Proof of Status → Official documents verifying someone’s legal immigration category, such as I-94 or asylum application receipt.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025, Vermont offers various support programs for refugees and asylum seekers, but eligibility depends on immigration status, residence, and funding limits. While refugees receive direct services, asylum seekers face limited options. Community nonprofits fill gaps. Legislative efforts aim to expand aid through a new Office of New Americans soon.
— By VisaVerge.com
