PROCESSING RCA APPLICATIONS
ISSUE DATE: 12/2016
ALL RCA APPLICATIONS
● | The date of RCA 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 RCA eligibility worker in a Public-Private-Partnership agency (PPP). This date is the date of application for cash and SNAP. |
● | Applicants do not need to provide a social security number to be eligible for RCA. Do not delay or deny RCA because the applicant does not have or has not received a social security number. |
PPP ADMINISTERED RCA: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties
APPLICATIONS FOR PRIMARY REFUGEE ARRIVALS
The Department of Human Services - Resettlement Programs Office (DHS-RPO) contracts with the local resettlement agencies to administer the RCA program for the PPP counties.
New primary refugee arrivals into the state who reside in a PPP administered county must file their RCA applications with the local resettlement agency that processed their resettlement.
The PPP RCA eligibility worker at the local resettlement agency signs and dates the CAF Page Number 1 on behalf of the county agency.
It is the responsibility of the PPP RCA eligibility workers housed at local resettlement agencies to make all RCA eligibility determinations.
County workers in the PPP administered counties should not approve RCA eligibility (opening, closing or changing benefit levels).
Some primary refugee arrivals may not understand that they must file an application with the local resettlement agency that resettled them. If an RCA applicant submits application with the county, ask the applicant if they:
● | Arrived to Minnesota as their initial resettlement state (primary refugee arrival). If they are primary refugee arrivals, date-stamp the application and send the applicant to their local resettlement agency for RCA eligibility determination. For a list of local resettlement agencies, see 0030.01 (Local Resettlement Agencies). |
● | Moved to Minnesota from another state (secondary refugee arrival). If they are secondary refugee arrivals, asylees, follow the procedures listed below under OTHER ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS. |
● | Have another RCA eligible status (asylee, Cuban/Haitian Entrant, Victim of Trafficking). If they are Cuban/Haitian Entrants, Victims of Trafficking, follow the procedures listed below under OTHER ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS. |
When an applicant files a CAF with a local resettlement agency and the application includes a request for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the RCA eligibility worker must:
● | Enter the CAF Page number 1 on the same day it is received at the local resettlement agency. | |
● | 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. | |
- | The county is not required to conduct a second face-to-face intake interview for processing the SNAP. | |
- | For information on requirements for processing expedited SNAP services, see 0004.06 (Emergencies - 1st Month Processing). | |
● | Provide RCA program and financial 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 local resettlement agency and to the county agency when a change occurs. The RCA eligibility worker will immediately report any changes to the county via fax or by phone. | |
● | Complete the 5-month RCA review. | |
● | Maintain the RCA case through the 8-month eligibility period. | |
APPLICATIONS FOR OTHER ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS (Secondary Refugee Arrivals, Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrants, Asylees, Cuban/Haitian Entrants, Victims of Trafficking and Amerasians)
Persons with the following statuses are eligible to apply for RCA:
● | Secondary Refugee Arrivals. See SECONDARY REFUGEE in 0002.59 (Glossary: RSDI...). |
● | Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders. See Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrants in 0011.03.18 (Non-Citizens - People Fleeing Persecution). |
● | Asylees. See ASYLEE in 0011.03.18 (Non-Citizens - People Fleeing Persecution). |
● | Cuban/Haitian Entrants. See CUBAN/HAITIAN ENTRANTS in 0011.03.18 (Non-Citizens - People Fleeing Persecution). |
● | Victims of Trafficking. See 0011.03.30 (Non-Citizens – Trafficking Victims). |
● | Amerasians. See AMERASIANS in 0011.03.18 (Non-Citizens - People Fleeing Persecution). |
The eligible populations listed above are not connected to a local resettlement agency, and are likely to submit RCA application to the county agency. Once the county agency determines an applicant may be eligible for RCA, the county must:
● | Immediately process any requests for SNAP. |
● | Inform the applicant that the RCA application will be faxed to the International Institute of MN (IIMN) for referral to a local resettlement agency for RCA eligibility determination. |
● | Tell the applicant that they will receive a phone call from IIMN within 7 days. |
● | Ensure the applicant's correct and current contact information is listed on the application. |
● | Provide the applicant with written contact information for the RCA worker at the IIMN: |
● | Encourage the applicant to call the contact phone number if someone has not contacted them within 7 days. |
● | Fax the entire application and all verifications to IIMN. FAX number: 651-647-9268, Attn: Aziza Mama. |
When IIMN receives a referral from 1 of the metro PPP administered counties, the RCA eligibility worker:
● | Enters a CASE/NOTE regarding the receipt of the application. | |
● | Contacts the applicant by phone within 7 days of receipt of the application. | |
- | If IIMN is unsuccessful in reaching the applicant within 7 days, the RCA eligibility worker sends the applicant a letter requesting contact with IIMN. The letter is written in English AND the client’s preferred language, as indicated on the application. | |
- | If the applicant fails to respond within 30 days from the date the letter is sent, the RCA application is denied for failure to complete an interview. | |
- | If the client responds after an initial RCA application has been denied, a new application must be filed. | |
● | Enters a CASE/NOTE regarding any contacts or attempted contacts with the applicant. | |
● | Refers the application to the local resettlement agency of the client's choosing for RCA eligibility determination and processing. | |
● | Ensures the applicant successfully connects with the local resettlement agency receiving the referral. | |
● | Upon receipt of a referral, the RCA eligibility worker at the local resettlement agency will complete RCA eligibility determination and processing and will maintain the case through the 8-month RCA eligibility period. | |
COUNTY ADMINISTERED RCA: All Counties EXCEPT Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties
All RCA applicants, residing outside of the PPP administered counties will continue to file the CAF with the agency in their county of residence. The county agencies will process RCA applications and maintain RCA cases through the 8-month RCA eligibility period.
RCA applicants 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.
For moves from a county-administered program to a PPP administered county or moves from a PPP administered to a county-administered county, see 0030.27 (RCA - Moves Within the State).
For RCA case closure and termination instructions, see 0030.21 (Closing/Terminating RCA).
PREVIOUS REVISIONS
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| 05/2015 | under the sub-heading SECONDARY MIGRANTS AND ASYLEES in the 2nd paragraph it updates the name for IIMN. It also in the 5th and 7th bullets changes the contact information to Aziza Mama. |
| 12/2014 | under the sub-heading for SECONDARY MIGRANTS AND ASYLEES in the 2nd paragraph in the 5th bullet updates the telephone extension for Karissa Neupert. |
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