The CAO will authorize RCA or RMA benefits as it would for any other client receiving cash or MA. When authorizing RCA or RMA, the CAO will assign the following program status code to the D or PC category:
Program status code - 02
The CAO will assign program status code 02 to a budget which contains only refugees. All refugees included in the budget must meet the requirements for the refugee code and have the same date of entry into the US. If refugees living together entered the U.S. on different dates, the CAO will establish separate budgets based on each date of entry.
Example: A mother and child enter the U.S. on 6/15/91. The husband's departure was delayed and he does not enter the U.S. until 7/22/91. The CAO determines eligibility based on a three person budget group. If eligible, the CAO authorizes Refugee Assistance benefits in two separate budgets, one for the mother and child and one for the husband. The refugee eligibility period will expire at different times for each budget.
Central Office will remove the refugee program status code at the end of the RCA or RMA eligibility period.
If eligible for RCA, the CAO will authorize category D and create an alert to review continued eligibility before the RCA time period ends. The refugee is assigned qualification code 13 during the period they receive RCA. The CAO will apply the TANF requirements, except for the earned income incentive, to compute the amount of the monthly assistance payment. The CAO will use the date of application as the date the refugee cash assistance begins.
45 CFR 400.45 45 CFR 400.45(f)(3) 45 CFR 400.51
NOTE: If the refugee has an urgent need for cash assistance, the CAO will process the application as quickly as possible and issue the initial payment from the county emergency fund.
Budget groups (including a budget group consisting of a single individual) receiving RCA will receive the maximum FSA. RCA recipients will not be required to share an FSA.
Reminders:
Central Office will remove the program status code at the end of time eligibility.
Review for RCA only if the refugee does not qualify for TANF cash benefits.
If eligible for RMA, the CAO will authorize category PC and create an alert to review continued eligibility before the RMA time period ends. For NMP benefits, the refugee is considered to be Chronically Needy during the period he receives RMA. The CAO will apply TANF-related MA requirements, except for the earned income incentive, to determine eligibility.
When RMA time eligibility ends, the CAO will determine the refugee's eligibility for continued assistance. If eligible for NMP as Chronically Needy, the CAO opens a PD category. If the refugee is Medically Needy, the CAO will close the budget and authorize TD.
Reissued February 14, 2013, replacing March 16, 2012