Whether an applicant files the Combined Application Form (CAF) with the county or with the VOLAG, the date of application is the date the signed CAF Page number 1 is date stamped or signed/dated as received by either a county worker or a VOLAG worker.

In non-VOLAG-administered counties, an applicant may also submit an ApplyMN application to the county agency. ApplyMN applications are electronically date stamped upon submittal. The date and time of submittal appears in the "Date Received" field of the PDF or XML versions of the application. Use this date as the date of application.

Applicants do not need to provide a social security number to be eligible for RCA. Do not delay or deny the RCA because the applicant does not have or has not received a social security number.

New arrivals into the state who reside in a VOLAG-administered county must file their RCA applications with the Voluntary Agency (VOLAG) that processed their resettlement. For the list of the 8 VOLAG-administered counties and VOLAGs, see 0030.01 (Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGS).

A few new arrivals may not understand that they must file an application with the VOLAG that resettled them. If they file an application at the county ask the applicant if they are newly arrived in the U.S. or have moved from another state (secondary migrant) or are an approved asylee. If they are new arrivals, date-stamp the application and send the applicant back to their VOLAG for RCA eligibility. If they are secondary migrants or asylees, follow the procedures listed below under SECONDARY MIGRANTS AND ASYLEES.


VOLAG-ADMINISTERED RCA

When an applicant files a CAF with a VOLAG and the application includes a request for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the VOLAG worker must:

●	Enter the CAF Page number 1 on the same day it is received at the VOLAG.
●	Review for expedited SNAP eligibility (immediately FAX a copy of the CAF if applying for SNAP and the applicant appears to be eligible for expedited service).
●	Immediately FAX the CAF Page number 1 to the county if the applicant requests SNAP.
●	Conduct an RCA and SNAP intake interview.
●	Obtain all verifications mandatory for RCA eligibility.
●	Process the RCA eligibility.
●	FAX a copy of the CAF and verifications to the county contact person to process the SNAP.

NOTE: Another face-to-face intake interview is not required for processing the SNAP. For information on requirements for processing expedited SNAP services, see 0004.06 (Emergencies - 1st Month Processing).


The VOLAG eligibility staff will also:

●	Provide RCA program orientation.
●	Review Combined Six-Month Reports (CSRs) for RCA cases also receiving SNAP and FAX copies of the CSR and attachments to the county agency. A participant will not be required to report to both the VOLAG and to the county agency when a change occurs. The VOLAG will immediately report any changes to the county via SIR mail or by phone.
●	Complete the 7-month RCA review.
●	Maintain the RCA case through the 8-month eligibility period.

SECONDARY MIGRANTS AND ASYLEES

Secondary migrants are refugees who are originally resettled in another state but choose to move to Minnesota after resettlement. See SECONDARY MIGRANT in 0002.59 (Glossary: RSDI...). Asylees are people who are already present in the U.S. and have established a well-founded fear of persecution if returned to their home country and have been granted asylum. See ASYLEE in 0011.03.18 (Non-Citizens - People Fleeing Persecution).

Once the county agency determines an applicant may be eligible for RCA, the county must:

●	Immediately process any requests for SNAP. NOTE: Most of these applicants may be eligible for expedited SNAP, see 0004.04 (Emergency Aid Eligibility - SNAP/Expedited Food).
●	Inform the client that the application for RCA will be faxed to the contact person at the International Institute of MN (IIMN) for referral to a VOLAG to determine their eligibility for RCA.
●	Tell the applicants that they will receive a phone call from the contact at IIMN within 7 days.
●	Ensure there is a current phone/contact listed on the application.
●	Provide the contact person’s name, agency and phone number (651-647-0191 Ext. 348) in writing to the applicant. Aziza Mama - International Institute of MN (IIMN) Phone: 651-647-0191 Ext 348
●	Encourage the applicant to call the contact phone number if someone has not contacted them within 7 days.
●	Fax the entire application and all other verifications to IIMN. FAX number: 651-647-9268, Attn: Aziza Mama.

When IIMN receives a referral from 1 of the 7 VOLAG-administered counties, the eligibility coordinator:

●	Enters a CASE/NOTE regarding the receipt of the application.
●	Contacts the applicant by phone within 7 days of receipt of the application.
●	Enters a CASE/NOTE regarding any contacts or attempted contacts with the applicant.
●	Refers the case to the VOLAG of the client's choosing.

After 7 days, if unable to contact the applicant or there is no response, the eligibility coordinator sends the applicant a memo requesting they call IIMN. This memo will be written in both English and the client’s preferred language as indicated on the application. If the client fails to respond within 30 days from the date the memo is sent, the RCA application will be denied for failure to complete an interview.

NOTE: The VOLAG worker is required to perform another face-to-face intake interview for RCA.


COUNTY ADMINISTERED RCA

All applicants, including secondary migrants and asylees, residing outside of the 8 VOLAG-administered counties will continue to file the CAF with the agency in their county of residence. These county agencies will process RCA applications and maintain RCA cases through the 8-month RCA eligibility period.

For moves from a county-administered program to a VOLAG-administered program or moves from a VOLAG-administered program to a county-administered program, see 0030.27 (RCA - Moves Within the State).

For RCA closing instructions, see 0030.21 (Closing/Terminating RCA).