IMMIGRANTS-TO-BE: HELPFUL HINTS AND RESOURCES ABOUT THE U.S.

by: Derek Goodman (Contributing Writer) | published: November 10, 2021

If you are a soon-to-be immigrant to the United States, you may wonder what to expect from your new home. Everyone has a unique American experience, but for newcomers, it may be useful to have some information about what is available to families. Here are some tips from the Prosper Pathways for your transition to the United States, as well as helpful resources to assist with your assimilation.

Kid-Friendly Resources

Children deserve the best start possible, and the U.S. is committed to providing quality educational resources to all kids, whether they were born in the states or emigrated here.

Twenty-six states in the U.S. offer low-income benefits to immigrant families with children. These benefits include food assistance, cash benefits, and in New York, what is known as Safety Net Assistance.
Public schools offer free and reduced-cost lunches for families in need. These programs use income to gauge eligibility and are easy to apply for.
There are programs dedicated to helping immigrant and non-immigrant children succeed in school systems. These programs are free for families and serve those in need.

Supporting Families with Elders

Immigrant families who have elders living with them often have needs that are specialized, particularly if the senior is struggling with physical or mental decline.

The national philanthropic group, Grantmakers in Aging is committed to meeting the needs of the elderly, including older immigrant and refugee populations. There are resources on their website that link to Alzheimer’s needs, managed care, and language assistance.
The Immigrants Assistance Center is an ideal resource for the care of elderly family members. They offer eldercare services, day programs, and even healthcare coordination.
Low-income seniors may benefit from meal assistance programs that are easy to access.

Supporting Family Back Home

Immigrants starting a new life in the United States often wish to support family back home.

Immigrants can send funds safely and quickly through fund-transfer services like Remitly. For example, if you have relatives in the Philippines, you can send money to your family for a reasonable fee, and transfers over $1,000 are free. Likewise, there is no fee for transfers to India or the Dominican Republic if you send over $1,000.
People who want to offer support to loved ones emotionally can connect for free on video chat sites like Zoom, Skype, or Messenger.
Booking flights to visit loved ones at home can be less expensive when you research lower-fare options and cheaper flight times. Helpful hint: Buying a plane ticket is less expensive on Tuesdays.

As you enter the U.S., we welcome you and invite you to enjoy your stay. Make this your home and enjoy the many benefits that American life has to offer.

Prosper Pathways helps hard-working people reach their financial goals & live at their best! Define your path and live your days as you intend them to be. To learn more, call 800-975-1145.