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Chapter: 1460 Technical Requirements Program: RAP 28 1460.0000 Refugee Assistance Program Refugee cash and medical assistance programs provide cash assistance to those meeting income but not other requirements for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), and medical assistance to those meeting income but not other requirements for Medicaid. Single refugee adults, as well as intact families may apply, as deprivation is not a factor in determining eligibility for assistance, and benefits may be approved on the basis of need for single individuals and families.

Individuals are eligible for the Refugee Assistance Program only if determined ineligible for TCA and all other factors of eligibility are met.

Assistance under this coverage group is limited to the first 4 months refugees are in the United States if the date of entry/status was on or after 5/5/25. If the date of entry/status is prior to 5/5/25 assistance is limited to the first 12 months of entry. The 4-month or 12-month period begins with the date of entry/status into the United States.

The following noncitizens are eligible to receive refugee assistance based on their date of entry into the U.S. and if all other factors of eligibility are met:

1. Refugees admitted under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA); 2. Cubans/Haitians paroled under Section 212(d)5 of the INA; 3. Cuban/Haitian asylum applicant; 4. Cubans/Haitians whose deportation is withheld or granted indefinite stay of Deportation under Section 243(h) or 241(b)3 of the INA as long as a final order of deportation has not been issued; 5. Cuban/Haitian entrants under Section 501(e) of the Refugee Assistance Act of 1980; 6. Amerasians from Vietnam; 7. Victims of Human Trafficking; and 8. Lawful permanent residents who were initially admitted in one of the categories listed above.

Asylees admitted under Section 208 of the INA are eligible to receive refugee assistance if they are within the 4-month or 12-month period of the date they obtained their asylee status. Refugees eligible for refugee cash assistance are automatically eligible for Medicaid. However, the individuals may "opt not to receive" refugee cash assistance, but may continue to receive Medicaid for a period not to exceed the 4-month or 12-month limit depending on the date of arrival or entry as defined above.

1460.0100 CITIZENSHIP/NONCITIZEN STATUS (RAP) The eligibility specialist must evaluate the citizenship/noncitizen status for each individual as a condition of eligibility for public assistance. Citizenship information on those family members who are not applying for benefits is not required. Non-receiving members are to be asked only if they are citizens or noncitizens, not their USCIS status. Citizenship/noncitizen requirements must be met in order to establish eligibility. 1460.0101 Declaration of Citizenship/Noncitizen Status (RAP) Each applicant applying for public assistance must declare in writing whether each individual in the assistance group is a U.S. citizen, or a noncitizen in lawful immigration status.