Report changes of circumstances as required under WAC 388-418-0005.
You are not eligible to receive RCA if you:
Are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income;
Have been denied TANF or have been terminated from TANF due to intentional noncompliance with TANF eligibility requirements; or
Are a full-time student in an institution of higher education.
We determine your eligibility and benefit level for RCA using the TANF payment standards under WAC 388-478-0020.
If you are eligible for RCA you may also be eligible for additional requirements for emergent needs under WAC 388-436-0002.
If you meet the requirements of this section you are eligible for refugee cash assistance only during the eight-month period beginning in the first month you entered the United States (WAC 388-466-0120).
The following documents are acceptable proof of a client’s asylee status and entry date:
I-94 Arrival/Departure Card noting that the individual has been admitted:
Under Section 208 of the INA; or
With admission codes AS-1, AS-2, or AS-3; or
With Visa 92 (V-92).
I-571 United States Refugee Travel Document. This document does not distinguish between refugees and asylees so contact INS to verify whether the individual is an asylee.
I-688-B Employment Authorization Document with the provision of law 274a.12(a)(5).
I-730 Asylum Approval Letter from an INS Asylum Office.
I-766 Employment Authorization Document with the code A05.
Written decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The entry date will be the date on the decision.
An order from an immigration judge granting asylum under Section 208 of the INA. The entry date will be:
The date on an Immigration Judge Order if INS has waived right to appeal decision; or
The 31st day from the date of an Immigration Judge Order if INS has reserved the right to appeal but chose not to.
NOTE:
The order has a section that specifies whether the INS has waived or reserved its right to appeal. See Table I for further clarification.
TABLE I
Documentation and Situation
Action
Benefit Eligibility (referring only to asylum status)
Entry Date (i.e., date asylum granted)
Immigration Judge Order with notation that appeal was waived by INS
No additional verification needed
Eligible for RCA
Date on Immigration Judge Order
Immigration Judge Order with notation that appeal was reserved by INS
No action can be taken until 30 days after the date on the Immigration Judge Order; on or after the 31st day, call Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) case status line at (800) 898-7180 to see whether INS has appealed
If INS did not appeal, the individual is an asylee and eligible for RCA
30 days after the date on the Immigration Judge Order (31st day);
Example: Immigration Judge Order dated September 1, 2000; INS did not appeal; Entry date is October 1, 2000
If INS appealed, the individual is not an asylee and not eligible for RCA
No entry date as asylum not yet granted; client is not eligible for RCA; **Note the client is a PRUCOL alien so consider eligibility for SFA/FAP
NOTE:
Although the EOIR case status line is updated every 24 hours you may find that it does not contain the needed appeal information on the 31st day. The EOIR reports it may take up to 5 days after the appeal deadline for the information to be relayed to the case status line.
Asylum Entry Date for Family Members
The entry date for an asylee’s family members will depend on whether the family was included on the asylee’s original application for asylum and whether they were inside or outside of the United States when the individual applied. See Table II below for clarification.
TABLE II
Situation
Entry Date (i.e. date asylum granted)
Family members included in principal asylee’s application
Same entry date as principal asylee
Family members outside of the United States; I-730 process; Visa 92
Date that the family members enter the United States; date of entry should be noted on I-94 card.
Family members in the United States; not included on principal’s asylum application; I-730 process
Date that the I-730 application is approved; INS should issue an I-94Arrival / Departure card with this date; I-730 approval letter is also acceptable documentation
ACES PROCEDURES
See REFUGEE ASSISTANCE for details on how to complete the ALAS screen. Under the "Entry Date" field on the ALAS screen, enter the:
Date asylum was granted for asylees; or
Date the client entered the U.S. for all other refugees.
