Refugee Assistance Admin. Letters

DSS ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER ECONOMIC SERVICES NO. 11-2005, Refugee
Cash and Medical Assistance for Evacuee Refugees (September 14, 2005)

URGENT

TO:	County Directors of Social Services
ATTENTION:	Work First Supervisors Medicaid Supervisors
DATE:	September 14, 2005
SUBJECT:	Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance for Evacuee Refugees
EFFECTIVE:	Upon Receipt

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

Some of the individuals who have been evacuated or displaced from areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina are individuals who are eligible for Refugee Assistance Program benefits - refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasians, and Victims of Trafficking – hereafter referred to as refugees. These individuals may still be eligible for Refugee Cash Assistance and/or Refugee Medical Assistance if they have been in the US less than 8 months and they do not qualify for other mainstream benefits.

II. POLICY PROCEDURE FOR EVACUEE REFUGEES

Because of the sudden evacuation and displacement, documents and ID which are normally used to establish eligibility may have been destroyed or lost. Use the following process when determining eligibility for refugees who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

A. Ask the applicant for a written declaration, under penalty of perjury, containing the

following information:

- Applicant’s Name

- Date of Birth

- Alien Registration Number (if known/available)

- Current Immigration Status

- Most recent Permanent Address (prior to evacuation)

- An acknowledgement that he/she has been displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina

- Date of Entry or Date of Asylum or Date of Trafficking Victim Eligibility letter

B. If the declaration indicates that the individual is in an eligible immigration status, is within the 8 month time limit, and has been displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the worker may conclude that the applicant is eligible for Refugee Cash and/ or Refugee Medical Assistance.

C. Remember to use the new individual level special use codes to track evacuees from Alabama (AL), Louisiana (LA), and Mississippi (MS).

D. Continue to refer these refugees, as well as others who have been in the US over 8 months, to the local Refugee Assistance Agency if one is in your area.

If you have any questions, please contact Marlene Myers or Gail Andersen at (919) 733-4650.

Sincerely,



Jane Schwartz, Chief

Economic Services Section