FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

The Food Stamps card is not working! The family has not received their TANF check this month! There is a problem with Medicaid, CARES, or Matching Grant! What should I do?

Ask the family to contact their case manager (don't do that yourself). Contact MARC@denrescue.org and tell us what is going on. We will find the solution and get back to you. See the Finances page for more information.

How much money does the family get in Food Stamps? How much is left on the card right now?

See the Food Assistance page to see how much your family gets.

Go to THIS page for instructions on how to check the card's current balance.

New money was not added to the food stamp (Quest) card right at the beginning of the month. What is the problem?

Depending on the last digit of the card holder's Social Security Number, the money will be added on a specific day during the first 10 days of each month. See: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-SelfSuff/CBON/1251586542921#whenwillmyfoodstampbenefitsbeavailableonmyebtcard. Contact MARC@denrescue.org if the money is still not there on the right day.

The Food Stamps are not working and I have contacted MARC about it, but the family needs food NOW!

Find a food bank near you and see if they have food that you can give the the family: http://find.foodbankrockies.org/

Is there anything to help pregnant or new mothers (and their babies) with nutrition?

Yes, the program Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps to provide what they need. See the WIC page for more details.

How much money does the family get from TANF?

It depends on family size and income. See the TANF page for more info.

How much money does the family get from Matching Grant?

It depends on family size and income. See the Matching Grant page for more info.

How does the family's Medicaid work?

See the Medicaid page.

How can the refugee family get bus passes?

See the Bus Passes page.

My family has an appointment, but I cannot help them with transportation! What should I do?

Don't stress over this too much. In the end, it is not your responsibility to find them a ride. You are just there to help when you can. E-mail MARC@denrescue.org to see if someone at DRM or LFS can help. Make friends in the community where the family lives and see if any of them have cars (some certainly do). Teach the family how to use the bus and then give them instructions on which buses to take on the day of the appointment. Ask friends at your workplace, church, or organization.

Someone in the family is sick! What should I do?

If it is serious, call 911 or take them to the hospital! Most families have Medicaid so much will be covered. If it is less urgent, contact MARC@denrescue.org and the health care staff at LFS will be notified. If it is just a common cold, use it as an opportunity to teach the family what to do and what not to as far as going to school/work, going to the doctor, etc. When it comes to health however, it is best to contact MARC so that you do not get in trouble for doing too much and they get the care that they need. DRM has a dentistry clinic that will do extractions for free.

How do I register children for school?

See the School Registration page. If in doubt, call the school districts and ask around for more information.

My refugee family needs winter clothes! Where can I get some for free?

See the Free/Cheap Stuff page. E-mail MARC@denrescue.org to get a referral form for the DRM clothing bank. LFS may also have some winter clothing available.

Can a refugee family get free child care?

If the family is enrolled in TANF, the parents have to work the equivalent of two full-time jobs in their TANF activities to qualify for free child care. See the Child Care page for more information.

Ah! Bed Bugs! What should I do if the family has bed bugs?

See this info sheet on bed bugs. Help the family to contact their landlord (Teach them how to do this so they do not need your help next time!). The landlord should address the problem, but if they do not, contact MARC@denrescue.org.

My refugee family is having problems with their case manager. Can I do anything to help?

You can always e-mail MARC@denrescue.org and ask to see what is going on. However, any big issue with a case manager must be dealt with by the refugee family. They do have the option of changing case managers, but they must initiate the change.

Are there any resources for free/cheap cell phones?

Yes, check out http://www.assurancewireless.com/ or http://www.qlinkwireless.com. (See Free/Cheap Stuff page for details)

Can refugees become US citizens?

Yes. After they have been in the US for five years they become eligible for citizenship. At that point they have to go through an application process. However, refugees can stay in the US indefinately with the visa that they have as refugees. A few resources for citizenship can be found here: http://arapahoelibraries.org/new-americans