247.07 RCA Eligibility Criteria (FAM)

SR 22-15 Dated 05/22

Previous Policy

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Only the following refugees and non-citizens are eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA):

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refugee admitted to the U.S. under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), from date of entry into the U.S. with such status;

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asylee granted such status under section 208 of the INA, from date of USCIS action to grant asylum;

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Cuban/Haitian entrant under section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act, from date of entry into the U.S. with such status; and

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Amerasian immigrant under section 584 of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 1988 (usually the children of Vietnamese women and Americans present in Vietnam during the Vietnam War era), from date of entry into the U.S. with such status.

Permanent Resident Aliens are not eligible for RCA unless they previously held refugee status.

Individuals must be found ineligible for all other categories of BFA financial assistance before eligibility for RCA is initiated.

RCA eligibility and benefit allotment criteria align with the Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF) program. This means that income and resource limits, deductions, benefit allotment, lump sum policy, and treatment of income and resources in general, as well as all non-financial criteria, align with the FANF program eligibility and benefit criteria.

 

Exceptions:

 

RCA applicants do not have to:

 

 

- attend the NHEP Orientation as a condition of eligibility;

- have dependent children present in the household;

- fulfill the deprivation of parental support and care requirements associated with the FANF program;

- comply with child support requirements; or

- fulfill NHEP work requirements.

 

For information on Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA), see Medical Assistance Manual PART 263, REFUGEE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (RMA).

 

References: 45 CFR 400.1-45 CFR 400.107