REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

A Bright New Day

NORTH CAROLINA REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS The North Carolina Refugee Assistance Programs were established to provide assistance to needy refugees who often arrive in the USA with virtually nothing but a desire to build a new life. The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA/RRF) Program provides income to refugees who do not meet qualifications for WFFA or SSI. The Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA/MRF) Program provides health care to refugees who do not meet qualifications for any other health care program. Both are short-term transitional programs available for the first 8 months a refugee resides in the USA or has eligible status. The ultimate goal of the Refugee Resettlement Program is to ensure that resettled refugees become self- sufficient as soon as possible after arrival.

HOW DO REFUGEES GET HERE? US DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration NATIONAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES (VOLAGS) Church World Service (CWS) Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC) Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) US Catholic Council of Bishops (USCCB) US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) World Relief Corporation (WRC) LOCAL AFFILIATES NC African Services Coalition (ASC), Greensboro (ECDC) Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency, Inc, (CRRA), Charlotte (HIAS) Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte (CCDC), Charlotte (USCCB) Church World Service (CWS), Durham & Greensboro (CWS) Interfaith Refugee Ministry (IRM), New Bern & Wilmington (EMM) Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC), Raleigh (LIRS) US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) (USCRI) World Relief Refugee Services (WRRS), High Point & Durham (WRC)

REFUGEE SERVICES PROVIDERS The State Refugee Office contracts with private, non-profit agencies to provide assistance to refugees in learning how to live in their new homes and country. Some of these services include: employment ESL Skills recertification Drivers training Social Adjustment Health Home Management Translation & Interpretation Immigration issues Reception and Placement through DOS Provides to the Local Affiliate $1825 per family member for shelter, clothing, basic food, transportation, orientation and referral for the first 30 days. Payable to the Local Affiliate/Resettlement Agency

Work First 111 Citizenship/Immigrant Rules (The US DOS determines IV. For individuals who are not US Citizens, how do you determine the correct Immigration Status AND whether they are eligible for Work First Family Assistance? IF A FAMILY MEMBER HAS THIS DOCUMENT: HIS IMMIGRATION STATUS IS: AND HIS WORK FIRST STATUS IS: I-94 coded: AM 1, -2, -3 Section 207 Section 208 Section 243(h) Amerasian Refugee Granted Asylum Deportation withheld I-551, I-151, or Resident Alien Card (no form number) coded with one of the following: CH 6 AM 1, -2, -3 AS6 - AS8 RE6 - RE8, RE86 Y-1 -Y-16, Y64 Z1, Z11, Z13 Permanent Resident who is a(n): Cuban/Haitian Entrant Vietnamese Amerasian Asylee Refugee Deportation Withheld I-688B coded with: 274a.12(a)(3) 274a.12(a)(4) 274a.12(a)(5) 274a.12(a)(10) Refugee Paroled as Refugee Granted Asylum Deportation Withheld I-688B coded with: 274a.12(c)(8) Applicant for asylumFurther documentation is required. After further documentation is obtained, then eligible if granted asylum. ORR Letter for victims of severe forms of trafficking Trafficking Victim. Treat as a Refugee admitted under Section 207

To receive Work First FamilyAssistance, children must live with an adult relative who is within a certain degree of kinship, or with a non-relative who has legal custody or legal guardianship. The relative, or non-relative who has legal custody or legal guardianship, must be providing care for the child on a day-to-day basis and be responsible for ongoing decisions regarding the child's well-being. The Department of State and Immigration Officials determine family relationships overseas.

REFUGEE CASH ASSISTANCE (RRF) 1. Not eligible for WFFA or SSI; 2. Not on Match Grant; 3. Have proper immigration status and documentation; 4. Be in the U.S. or have Qualified Alien status for less than 8 months; 5. Live in N.C. with the intent to remain; 6. Not be a full-time student in an institution of higher education; 7. Register for work & cooperate with Employment Plan; 8. Not have voluntarily quit a job or refused an appropriate job offer within 30 days prior to application. Refugee Household May Consist of: A single adult (age 18 and over) A married couple with no minor children

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES EXEMPTIONS RCA recipients must register for work and comply with work search Refugee Employment Service Provider Employability Plan Failure to comply Under age 18 or over age 65 Caring for a child under 2 Ill or incapacitated Caring for an ill or incapacitated family member

RCA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS State/County Residence Income Resources Alien Status Needs Assessment NO S.A.V.E. NO Social Security Number

DO NOT PRORATE RCA BENEFITS. RCA/RMA coverage is for up to 8 full months from the date of arrival in the USA (or date of eligible status). Federal guidelines count a month as 30 days, not a calendar month. In EIS, enter the first day of the month of application as the date of application. Enter up to an 8 month certification period in EIS using Approval Code L8. Manually generate a Notice of Benefits to the client and the local affiliate, if appropriate. Eligibility ends 8 months after the refugees date of arrival, on the last day of that month. 30 DAY PROCESSING The 30 days begins the day after the date of application and ends on the day the check or denial notice is mailed. The date of application is the day the application, signed by the applicant or representative, is received in the agency.

REFUGEE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE All recipients of RCA automatically receive RMA. A refugee may apply for and receive RMA without applying for RCA. If RCA is terminated because of wages, transfer to RMA, without a separate RMA determination, for the remainder of the 8 months. If a refugee is sanctioned for failure to comply with Employment Services, transfer to RMA, or open an RMA case for the sanctioned member.

REFUGEE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (MRF) 1. Not eligible for any other mainstream medical assistance, such as Family & Childrens or Aged, Blind Disabled Medicaid 2. Have proper immigration status and documentation; 3. Be in the U.S. or have Qualified Alien status for less than 8 months; 5. Live in N.C. with the intent to remain; 6. Not be a full-time student in an institution of higher education; RMA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS State/County Residence Income Resources Alien Status Needs Assessment *Retroactive Coverage *Deductible NO S.A.V.E. NO Social Security Number

RETROACTIVE COVERAGE RMA may be authorized for 1, 2, or 3 months preceding the month of application, provided all eligibility requirements were met. DEDUCTIBLE An amount for medical expenses which must be paid or incurred by the refugee before RMA can be authorized. Net Income exceeds 200% of Poverty Level. Compute Deductible for up to 8 months according to MAABD Manual Section 2360.

RMA coverage is for up to 8 full months from the date of arrival in the USA or the established date of eligible status. Eligibility ends 8 months after the refugees date of entry on the last day of that month. Manually generate a Notice of Benefits to the client and the local affiliate or provider, if appropriate. You may enter up to an 8 month certification period in EIS when appropriate. 30 Day Processing The 30 days begins the day after the date of application and ends the day the Medicaid card or denial notice is mailed. The Date of Application is the day the application, signed by the applicant or representative, is received in the agency.

Refugees are not subject to the sponsored alien requirements in , C. Sponsors/Co-sponsors of Refugees are usually churches or other faith-based groups who agree to help acclimate the refugee to life in America. They may help with transportation, housing, utilities, etc., but do not give money directly to the refugee F ood & N utrition S ervices A refugee who is subject to work requirements imposed by a Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) is exempt from Food Stamp Work Registration – which also provides exemption from ABAWD requirements This includes refugees who receive RCA, RMA and/or Refugee Social Services through a Refugee Provider Agency Contact the Economic Services Section for verification or if you have questions concerning this exemption When the applicant provides documentation of alien status, verify that status using the SAVE Program. Do not delay, deny, reduce, or terminate benefits pending SAVE verification Match Grant & RCA are not excluded in FNS budgeting. EXPEDIT ED

QUESTIONS? Call Gail at Gail.Anders Choose Division of Social Services. The Refugee Assistance Manual is under Economic Assistance.