Policy Effective: February 1, 2026

The term “refugee” encompasses all the groups defined under policy 215-2C .

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) provides limited Financial assistance to refugees. RCA is limited to up to 4 months from the date of Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligibility for individuals granted ORR eligibility on or after May 5, 2025, or for up to 12 months for individuals granted ORR eligibility prior to May 5, 2025. See policy 284 for more information on the time limits for this program.

The eligibility date for Afghani Humanitarian Parolees for ORR benefits and services is October 1, 2021 (if the individual has already entered the community) or their date of entry into the community, whichever is later. Afghani Humanitarian Parolees may qualify for refugee supportive services until the end of the parole term or March 31, 2023, whichever is later.

For Asylees and Victims of Trafficking, the eligibility date will be the date of asylum or certification date.

For Afghan Special Immigrants and Special Immigrants with Conditions who traveled directly to an Operations Allies Refuge/Operation Allies Welcome (OAR/OAW) Safe Haven, the eligibility date will be the date of entry into the community.

The Refugee Cash Assistance Program is one of the services for refugees under the Refugee Resettlement Program. The objective of the Refugee Resettlement Program is to provide for the effective resettlement of refugees; and to assist refugees to achieve economic self-sufficiency within the shortest possible time after entrance to the state through employment and acculturation by use of coordinated support services and cash/medical assistance.

The Refugee Cash Assistance Program connects refugees to appropriate activities such as job search, job training, adult education, skill training, community work, English language training, and other employment related activities. A refugee will move toward their maximum self-supporting level as quickly as possible by using appropriate, available resources to follow through on an individualized employment plan. This includes providing supportive services such as Financial assistance on a short-term basis.

Refugees must be evaluated for Family Employment Program (FEP) before considering RCA. If the refugee is not eligible for the FEP, eligibility for RCA will be determined. The eligibility determination for which fnancial assistance program the refugee should receive will occur in the following order:

Family Employment Program (FEP)

Single Parent

Two Parent – Incapacity

Specified Relative

Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) - Two Parent (RCA-TP) or Single Adult/Couples Without Dependents

Family Employment Program - Two Parent (FEP-TP)

General Assistance (GA)

When a refugee applies for financial assistance, determine eligibility for FEP first if the household contains a single parent, or two parents with an incapacitated parent, or a specified relative.

If the refugee has been sanctioned from FEP or FEP-TP, they are ineligible for RCA during the FEP or FEP-TP sanction period.

If the refugee has been in the U.S. no longer than 12 months or 4 months if ORR eligibility date is on or after May 5, 2025 and is not eligible for FEP determine eligibility for RCA. If the refugee is eligible, open the case under the RCA program.

If the refugee has been in the U.S. longer than 12 months or 4 months if ORR eligibility date is on or after May 5, 2025 and is not eligible for FEP or RCA, determine if the refugee or family can qualify under the FEP-TP program.

If the refugee has been in the U.S. longer than 12 months or 4 months if ORR eligibility date is on or after May 5, 2025 and is not eligible for FEP or FEP-TP, determine eligibility for GA. Use the same policy and procedures that you use for anyone else applying for General Assistance.

Iraqi Special Immigrants admitted as Lawful Permanent Residents (with Special Immigrant Visas) are treated the same as refugees. Iraqi Special Immigrants may be eligible for RCA if they are not eligible for FEP.

Afghan Special Immigrants admitted as Lawful Permanent Residents (with Special Immigrant Visas) are treated the same as refugees. Afghan Special Immigrants may be eligible for RCA if they are not eligible for FEP.

A non-citizen, who is an Iraqi or Afghani Special Immigrant Visa Holder, while not identified as a refugee, shall be eligible for benefits and services under any Federal or State program or activity funded or administered by any Federal agency to the same extent as a non-citizen who is admitted to the United States as a refugee under Section 207 of the INA.

A citizen or national of Afghanistan who was admitted to the United States with SI/SQ Parole (per section 602(B)(1) AAPA and section 1059(a) NDAA 2006), Special Immigrant (SI) Conditional Permanent Residence (CPR), or Humanitarian Parole status (per the Afghanistan Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022); and their spouses and children.

If the refugee is receiving financial assistance under a local refugee resettlement agency’s Matching Grant Program, the refugee should NOT be processed for financial assistance under FEP, FEP-TP, or RCA until the Matching Grant assistance is terminated.

If the refugee terminates their Match Grant Program agreement with their resettlement agency, the refugee may apply for FEP, FEP-TP, or RCA. RCA will only be available for the remaining months up to the twelfth month or 4 months if ORR eligibility date is on or after May 5, 2025 from the refugee’s date of ORR eligibility.

All refugees who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled will be referred to the Social Security Administration to apply for Social Security Income (SSI). If eligible, financial assistance under FEP, FEP-TP, or RCA will continue until eligibility for SSI program is determined, provided all conditions of eligibility, including time limits, or RCA continue to be met. Repayment of interim assistance for FEP, FEP-TP, or RCA is NOT required upon approval of SSI. If the interim assistance is GA, it must be repaid. See policy 323-2 for more information on GA and SSI application.

Medical Assistance - RCA recipients may receive Medicaid. Refugees should be evaluated for eligibility for other Medicaid programs including CHIP before the Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) program.

See the Medicaid Eligibility Manual .