REFUGEE CASH ASSISTANCE
ISSUE DATE: 12/2013
The Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) provides Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) to refugees who are ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or MFIP for up to 8 months after arrival in the United States. Employment Services and Social Services are provided to assist refugees attain self-sufficiency within this relatively short period of time. Refugees may continue to receive Employment and Social Services after their RCA eligibility ends.
The 30-day state residency requirement does not apply to RCA applicants.
Only refugees, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), are eligible for RCA. INA defines eligible refugees as people who were:
● | Admitted as refugees under section 207. |
● | Paroled as refugees or asylees under section 212(d)(5). |
● | Granted asylum under section 208. |
● | Cuban and Haitian entrants, in accordance with requirements in 45 CFR part 401.2. |
● | Admitted as Amerasians under the Amerasian Homecoming Act. |
● | Trafficking victims who have been certified by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). People under age 18 who are trafficking victims are not required to be certified but are issued letters of confirmation by ORR. See TRAFFICKING VICTIMS in 0002.67 (Glossary: Thrifty...). Also see 0011.03.30 (Non-Citizens - Trafficking Victims). |
To be eligible, refugees must also:
● | Have been in the United States 8 months or less. Count the month they entered the country OR the month the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted asylum status, whichever is later, as month 1 of the 8-month eligibility time limit. |
● | Provide the name of their Voluntary Resettlement Agency (VOLAG) and give consent to contact the agency. For the definition of a VOLAG see 0002.73 (Glossary: Victim...). Also see 0030.01 (Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGs)) for a list of VOLAGs. |
● | Have not voluntarily quit employment, or have refused an offer of suitable employment, without good cause, within 30 days prior to application. |
● | Register for and participate in Refugee Employment Services (RES) within 30 days of the receipt of assistance, unless exempt or have a good cause reason for failure to participate. See 0030.12.06 (RCA Employment Services Good Cause Claims). If an RES Provider is not available in the area, refer the participant to your county Employment Services Provider (ESP). |
● | Not attend school full-time. |
● | Not be enrolled in the Match Grant (MG) Program at the Voluntary Agency. |
NOTE: When a participant enrolls in the Matching Grant (MG) Program they agree not to apply for or receive any cash assistance from the county as they receive their cash assistance payments from the VOLAG. While participating in the MG Program they may be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and health care coverage. The MG program ends 4 to 6 months after enrollment. At that time they may apply for RCA for the remainder of the 8-month RCA eligibility period. |
Refugees and Amerasians, but not people granted asylum, all receive resettlement case management (RMP) services from a local affiliate of a VOLAG. See 0030 (Refugee Resettlement Program). Verify with the local VOLAG what assistance was provided and whether the participant quit or refused an offer of employment.
As a condition for the receipt of RCA, a refugee who is not exempt must:
● | Accept at any time, from any source, an offer of suitable employment. Follow MFIP provisions in 0028.18.03 (Suitable/Unsuitable Work). |
● | Comply with monthly reporting requirements if receiving earned income. |
For information on who may be included in an RCA assistance unit, see 0030.03.03 (RCA Assistance Units).
Refugees who receive RCA are automatically eligible for RMA if they are not eligible for Medical Assistance (MA). Consider eligibility for MA under all other basis of eligibility first. Refugees do not have to apply for RCA as a condition of eligibility for RMA.
For more information on RMA, see the Insurance Affordability Programs/Health Care Manuals. Refugees are also eligible for federally-funded SNAP benefits. See 0011.03.09 (Non-Citizens - SNAP/MSA/GA/GRH).
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