Refugee Assistance Program - Cash Assistance

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Refugee Assistance Program - Cash Assistance

Revised March 13, 2008

Purpose:

Refugee cash assistance (RCA).
WAC 388-466-0120
CLARIFYING INFORMATION

For more information on RCA / RMA priority requirements see WAC 388-466-0130 (3)(a) and PROGRAM SUMMARY, WAC 388-400-0030 (2)(a) for RCA and (b) and WAC 388-400-0035 (2)(a) for RMA.

Applicants for RCA / RMA, if otherwise eligible, can not be denied benefits or services because they have not yet received a social security number (SSN). Social Security Administration procedures often prohibit asylees and Cuban and Haitian entrants from applying and receiving SSN for several months after they received their status and became eligible for RCA / RMA.

RCA recipients with earnings have the same 50% earned income disregards as TANF clients.

See WAC 388-400-0035 (5) (6) for information on extended RMA benefits when an RCA recipient becomes ineligible due to income or resources.

Matching Grant Program Recipients.  Refugees and similarly classified immigrants agree not to apply for ongoing cash assistance from RCA or TANF so they can get services through the Matching Grant program. The Matching Grant program is an employment and training program funded by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and administered by voluntary refugee resettlement agencies (VOLAGs). The VOLAG provides cash assistance and employment services designed to find the Matching Grant participant a job within the immigrant's first four months in the US. In order to qualify for the program, the participant must agree they will not apply for other ongoing cash assistance benefits. However, the participa nt should still be eligible for Basic Food and medical assistance (either RMA or Medicaid). Note that one-time cash payments from a VOLAG are not part of the Matching Grant Program.

Immigrants fromIraq or Afghanistan who were granted Special Immigrant status under section 101 (a)(27) of the INA are eligible for refugee assistance and federally funded benefits such as TANF, Basic Food and Medicaid.

Special Immigrants from Iraq are eligible for TANF, Medicaid, RCA and RMA for 8 months from their date of entry into the United States.

Special Immigrants from Afghanistan are eligible for TANF, Medicaid, RCA and RMA for 6 months from their date of entry into the United States.

Special Immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan are eligible for Basic Food for 6 months from their date of entry into the United States.

If you have any questions regarding eligibility or on how to process a case, please contact Tom Berry or Olga Walker, in the CSD Office of Programs and Policy.

Tom (360) 725-4617 or by e-mail at berrytj@dshs.wa.gov

Olga (360) 725-4641 or by e-mail at walkeop@dshs.wa.gov

WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES

Determine eligibility for TANF before determining eligibility for RCA. Determine eligibility for Medicaid medical prior to determining eligibility for RMA.

Complete a program change when a change of circumstances makes a RCA / RMA recipient eligible for TANF and/or Medicaid medical (for example, a recipient with no other dependents becomes eligible for TANF because she is in her third trimester of pregnancy).

Refer all refugees who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled to SSI facilitator for help with application to Social Security Administration for SSI benefits.

For applicants, authorize RCA / RMA once the application for SSI is verified.

Terminate RCA / RMA if necessary and authorize SSI medical when SSI is approved.

Determine eligibility for other cash/medical programs such as CEAP (Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program), General Assistance or the Medically Indigent program when RCA / RMA eligibility ends due to the expiration of the eight-month time limit.

Matching Grant Program Recipients.

If an applicant indicates they are receiving benefits through the Matching Grant program, verify the amount of cash the applicant receives and budget it toward their Basic Food request.

           If the Matching Grant recipient decides to apply for RCA or TANF:



a. Determine the applicant’s eligibilty using standard application processing procedures; and

b. Notify the VOLAG immediately that the client is requesting cash assistance through a DSHS-administered program.

Refugee Assistance Program - Cash Assistance
Revised March 13, 2008

Purpose:
Refugee cash assistance (RCA). WAC 388-466-0120 CLARIFYING INFORMATION For more information on RCA / RMA priority requirements see WAC 388-466-0130 (3)(a) and PROGRAM SUMMARY, WAC 388-400-0030 (2)(a) for RCA and (b) and WAC 388-400-0035 (2)(a) for RMA. Applicants for RCA / RMA, if otherwise eligible, can not be denied benefits or services because they have not yet received a social security number (SSN). Social Security Administration procedures often prohibit asylees and Cuban and Haitian entrants from applying and receiving SSN for several months after they received their status and became eligible for RCA / RMA. RCA recipients with earnings have the same 50% earned income disregards as TANF clients. See WAC 388-400-0035 (5) (6) for information on extended RMA benefits when an RCA recipient becomes ineligible due to income or resources. Matching Grant Program Recipients. Refugees and similarly classified immigrants agree not to apply for ongoing cash assistance from RCA or TANF so they can get services through the Matching Grant program. The Matching Grant program is an employment and training program funded by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and administered by voluntary refugee resettlement agencies (VOLAGs). The VOLAG provides cash assistance and employment services designed to find the Matching Grant participant a job within the immigrant's first four months in the US. In order to qualify for the program, the participant must agree they will not apply for other ongoing cash assistance benefits. However, the participa nt should still be eligible for Basic Food and medical assistance (either RMA or Medicaid). Note that one-time cash payments from a VOLAG are not part of the Matching Grant Program. Immigrants fromIraq or Afghanistan who were granted Special Immigrant status under section 101 (a)(27) of the INA are eligible for refugee assistance and federally funded benefits such as TANF, Basic Food and Medicaid. Special Immigrants from Iraq are eligible for TANF, Medicaid, RCA and RMA for 8 months from their date of entry into the United States. Special Immigrants from Afghanistan are eligible for TANF, Medicaid, RCA and RMA for 6 months from their date of entry into the United States. Special Immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan are eligible for Basic Food for 6 months from their date of entry into the United States. If you have any questions regarding eligibility or on how to process a case, please contact Tom Berry or Olga Walker, in the CSD Office of Programs and Policy. Tom (360) 725-4617 or by e-mail at berrytj@dshs.wa.gov Olga (360) 725-4641 or by e-mail at walkeop@dshs.wa.gov
WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES Determine eligibility for TANF before determining eligibility for RCA. Determine eligibility for Medicaid medical prior to determining eligibility for RMA. Complete a program change when a change of circumstances makes a RCA / RMA recipient eligible for TANF and/or Medicaid medical (for example, a recipient with no other dependents becomes eligible for TANF because she is in her third trimester of pregnancy). Refer all refugees who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled to SSI facilitator for help with application to Social Security Administration for SSI benefits. For applicants, authorize RCA / RMA once the application for SSI is verified. Terminate RCA / RMA if necessary and authorize SSI medical when SSI is approved. Determine eligibility for other cash/medical programs such as CEAP (Consolidated Emergency Assistance Program), General Assistance or the Medically Indigent program when RCA / RMA eligibility ends due to the expiration of the eight-month time limit. Matching Grant Program Recipients. If an applicant indicates they are receiving benefits through the Matching Grant program, verify the amount of cash the applicant receives and budget it toward their Basic Food request. If the Matching Grant recipient decides to apply for RCA or TANF: a. Determine the applicant’s eligibilty using standard application processing procedures; and b. Notify the VOLAG immediately that the client is requesting cash assistance through a DSHS-administered program.

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