247.17 Work Requirements of RCA Recipients (FAM)

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RCA* applicants do not have to fulfill NHEP work requirements because they are required to participate in an employment program overseen by the NH Refugee Coordinator.

RCA recipients can earn sanctions from the NH Refugee Coordinator for failing to participate in the refugee work program. All levels of RCA sanctions result in reducing the payment standard in the same manner as a Level 1 TANF progressive sanction.

Apply this sanction to the RCA recipient for:

• 3 months for the first offense; and

• 6 months for the second offense.

Unlike NHEP participants, refugees cannot "cure" a sanction once the sanction has been applied. The sanction will be in effect for the entire sanction period:

• the sanction is not shortened if the refugee begins to comply or participate in the refugee work program; and

• the sanction ends when the 3 months is reached, even if the refugee continues to fail or refuse to participate in the refugee work program. At the conclusion of the 3-month sanction period, the NH Refugee Coordinator might choose to impose a 2nd sanction, which would last for 6 months, if the refugee has continued to fail to participate in the refugee work program.

The NH Refugee Coordinator will notify the FANF Program Specialist if a recipient of RCA is not complying with the refugee work program. The FANF Program Specialist will then contact the District Office worker and supervisor so that the sanction can be applied.

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