Minnesota Minnesota

Combined Manual

Combined Manual


REFUGEES

ISSUE DATE: 03/2026

A refugee is a person who is outside their country of nationality because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.  Refugees live in a third country while they apply and wait for a decision on their Refugee status. Once they are granted Refugee status they travel to the United States and are granted indefinite permission to live and work in the United States.

Eligibility

  • RCA
  • MFIP federal-funded cash/state-funded food
  • GA
  • MSA
  • HSP

Most common examples of Immigration Documentation

  • I-94 Record stamped Refugee or Section 207 
  • Employment Authorization Document 
  • Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
  • Travel Authorization Letter

Likely to be sponsored?

Sponsor deeming does not apply.

Category Code - Lawful Permanent Resident Card 

  • Explains the code on the LPR card when a person "Adjusted from" this status.

RE6

RE7

RE8

RE9

CU6

CU7

IC6

IC7

R86

M83

Y64

Category Code - Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 

  • Explains a person's current status.

A03

Combined Manual Reference

See also: 0029.39 (The Matching Grant Program)

SNAP:
Refugees are ineligible for federally funded SNAP and state funded SNAP (MFAP); this includes UHFS. When a Refugee has adjusted to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status, they are immediately eligible for SNAP with no waiting period. When they have adjusted to LPR, they are considered an LPR and must be coded and processed as an LPR. See 0031.09 (Lawful Permanent Residents).

PREVIOUS REVISIONS

DateNotes
05/2024 New section: Explains this immigration status, public benefits eligibility, and other important factors to consider.

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