COMBINED MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF CHANGES ATTACHMENT REVISED SECTIONS ISSUED 02/2017

Transcription

1 COMBINED MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF CHANGES ATTACHMENT REVISED SECTIONS ISSUED 02/2017 The EFFECTIVE DATE of the changes is the same as the issuance date unless stated otherwise (Verification) in MFIP, DWP, MSA, GA, GRH adds that the Combined Application Form may be used as a signed personal statement to verify countable assets (Mandatory Verifications - SNAP) in SNAP in the 1st paragraph in the 1st bullet adds that identity may be verified through a document, collateral contact or SOLQ-I (Assets - Payments Under Federal Law) in general provisions adds a new 1st bullet to not count Initial Refugee Resettlement Funds (Dependent Care Deduction) in SNAP updates "household" to "unit" for consistency. It also in the 5th paragraph adds and deletes language for clarity (Appeal Hearing Process) in SNAP in the 1st paragraph clarifies when the client appeals orally or in writing send the Appeal to State Agency (DHS-0033) to the DHS Appeals Office within 5 working days (Tribal TANF - Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) in the 4th paragraph in the 2nd bullet updates that the Band will remove all Tribal TANF sanctions before transferring a case out of the Tribal service area (Tribal TANF Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians) adds a new 3rd paragraph that if a Tribal TANF participant leaves the Tribal service area and wants to continue getting MFIP, the Band will remove all Tribal TANF sanctions before transferring the case (Refugee Cash Assistance) updates information throughout (Refugee Employment Services) updates information throughout.

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3 VERIFICATION 0010 All programs require verification of certain information. See (Mandatory Verifications). Verify other information to determine eligibility or a benefit amount if the information the client gives is inconsistent or questionable. See (Verification - Inconsistent Information). Any form of written or electronic verification is acceptable if it confirms the client s statement. Do not demand a specific document or form of verification if another is more readily available. Sources of verification include: Written records or documents. See (Sources of Verification - Documents). Written or oral statements from people outside assistance units. See (Sources of Verification, Collateral Contacts). Direct observation at home visits. See (Sources of Verification - Home Visits). Providing proof is the responsibility of the client. You must help clients who have trouble getting proof. Clients must either provide necessary proof or give their written consent for you to get the information. When proof is not available despite the efforts of you and the client, get a signed statement from the client attesting to the correctness of the information. See (Verification - Cooperation and Consent) for specifics, including limits on when a signed statement is acceptable. Deny or end assistance to people who refuse or deliberately fail to help verify information. The date a client verifies a factor of eligibility does not affect the date of eligibility, if the client provides the proof within the application processing period. See 0005 (Applications), (Accepting and Processing Applications), (Application Processing Standards), (Beginning Date of Eligibility). MFIP, DWP, MSA, GA, GRH: Follow general provisions. Use Signed Personal Statement about Assets for MFIP, DWP, GA, MSA and GRH Programs (DHS-6054) (PDF) or Combined Application Form (CAF) (DHS-5223) (PDF) as a signed personal statement to verify countable assets. For a list of countable assets, see (Counted Assets). SNAP: Follow general provisions. See (Sources of Verification - Documents) for when to use verbal statements as verification.

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5 MANDATORY VERIFICATIONS - SNAP See (Mandatory Verifications) for mandatory verifications that apply to all programs. MFIP, DWP, MSA, GA, GRH: See (Mandatory Verifications - Cash Assistance). SNAP: Verify the following: Identity of the applicant and the authorized representative if the authorized representative is applying for the applicant. Identity may be verified through a document, or if a document is not available a collateral contact can be used. In addition it is allowable to use SOLQ-I as verification of identity. Social Security numbers of all people applying for assistance. See (Verifying Social Security Numbers). Residency in Minnesota, unless verification cannot be obtained because the people are homeless, migrant farmworkers, or newly arrived in Minnesota. A verbal client statement indicating residency in Minnesota meets the verification requirement. Document this verbal statement in CASE/NOTEs. For people in the Safe At Home Program, see (Safe At Home Program). Cash contributions received from sponsors of immigrants. See (Income of Sponsors of LPRs With I-864). Disability exemption from work registration. See (Verifying Disability/Incapacity - SNAP). Date and reason of employment termination, and date last paid. Verify at the point of employment termination for participants, and for any employment terminated within 60 days of application for applicants. The number of hours of employment or work program activities for non-exempt able-bodied adults subject to the 3 months in 36 months limit on eligibility. See (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) for more information. Verify and allow the following IF an applicant/participant wants a deduction from their income for: Housing costs. Verify at application in order to allow the expense as a deduction. Open the case but do NOT allow the housing cost as a deduction if it is NOT verified after allowing 10 days to return requested verification. During the certification period, verify changes whenever they occur. If a change which is not verified decreases benefits, budget the change and verify at recertification. If a change which is not verified increases benefits, do not budget the change. At recertification, any change in housing costs needs to be verified to allow the expense as a deduction. Process the recertification but do NOT allow the housing cost as a deduction if it is NOT verified after allowing 10 days to return the requested verification. NOTE: Use of the standard utility allowance(s) does not need to be verified, unless there is inconsistent information. See (Verifications Inconsistent Information). Property taxes and property insurance. Verify property taxes and property insurance when the unit indicates that there are other expenses in the escrow account that are not allowable housing expenses. See (Shelter Deductions). Some medical expenses in order to allow the expenses as a deduction. See (Medical Deductions) for when you can allow the expenses and when to require verification. The amount of a court-ordered child support obligation and the amount of child support actually paid to another household, in order to allow the support as a deduction. See (Child and Spousal Support Deductions).

6 MANDATORY VERIFICATIONS - SNAP Verify school attendance if applicable to the SNAP case. Unless questionable, a verbal statement from the client meets the verification requirement.

7 ASSETS - PAYMENTS UNDER FEDERAL LAW Do not count the following federal payments as assets for all programs: Initial Refugee Resettlement Funds. See INITIAL REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT FUNDS in (Glossary: Independent ). Also see (Local Resettlement Agencies). Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payments. Payments for tribal land claim settlements listed in (Income From Tribal Payments). Benefits from the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Reimbursements from the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policy Act of See (Assets - Income) for treatment of relocation assistance from state or local governments. Payments received from youth incentive entitlement projects, youth community conservation and improvement projects. Reparation payments to Aleut people and people of Japanese ancestry under Public Law Agent Orange payments to veterans and their dependents. Payments made under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Public Law ). Payments made by federal agencies under a presidential declaration of disaster including, but not limited to, individual and family grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). See (Assets - Income) for other disaster payments which may be not counted. Funds, including accrued interest, deposited in Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) through The Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) Program. EXCEPTION: Payments made to American Indians under Cobell v Salazar (Public Law ) are not counted for 1 year from the date of receipt. Count payments as an asset after this 1 year period expires. See (Income From Tribal Payments). MFIP, DWP: Do not count the funds listed in the general provisions as long as the client holds them in a separate account from any counted funds. Do not count all benefits and payments received by participants in all AmeriCorps programs. For more information on AmeriCorps programs, see (National and Community Service Programs). Do not count all benefits and payments provided by Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America payments as an asset. For more information, see (National and Community Service Programs). See (National and Community Service Programs) for information on how to treat the income of civil service employees. Do not count Title VII, Nutrition Program for the Elderly funds. Do not count VA benefits awarded to children of Vietnam veterans, regardless of their age or marital status, for a covered birth defect identified by the VA as associated with the service of these veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam from through and performed active military service. SNAP:

8 ASSETS - PAYMENTS UNDER FEDERAL LAW Exclude the funds listed in the general provisions for the entire time the client holds them in a separate account from any nonexcluded funds. If the client combines excluded funds with non-excluded funds, continue the exclusion for 6 months from the date the client combines the funds. Also exclude AmeriCorps VISTA (formerly known as VISTA) payments to volunteers (not permanent staff salaries) if the volunteers were AFDC (when AFDC existed), SSI, or SNAP participants before they joined VISTA. Exclude earned income credits received before as a result of Public Law See (Assets - Income) for information on current earned income credits. Exclude VA benefits awarded to children of Vietnam veterans, regardless of their age or marital status, for a covered birth defect identified by the VA as associated with the service of these veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam from through and performed active military service. MSA: Do not count the funds listed in the general provisions as long as the client holds them in a separate account from counted funds. Do not count AmeriCorps VISTA (formerly known as VISTA) payments made to volunteers (not permanent staff salaries) as long as the client holds them in a separate account from counted funds. GA: Do not count the funds listed in the general provisions as long as the client holds them in a separate account from any counted funds. Do not count AmeriCorps (formerly known as VISTA) educational awards made to volunteers (not permanent staff salaries) for grants, scholarships and fellowships if the client holds them in a separate account from counted funds. Do not count Title VII Nutrition Program for the Elderly funds. GRH: Follow MSA for aged, blind, or disabled clients. Follow GA for all other adults.

9 DEPENDENT CARE DEDUCTION MFIP, DWP: Allow the dependent care deduction ONLY when applying the initial eligibility test for applicant units. NEVER use this deduction to determine the grant, see (Mandatory Verifications - Cash Assistance). After families are eligible, they will get a child care subsidy in place of this deduction. See (Child Care Assistance). For applicants deduct costs of care for a minor child or disabled adult in the unit when the caregiver is: At work or in transit to or from work. Not at work, but needs dependent care to maintain employment. For example, allow the expense for a client who works nights and pays for dependent care while sleeping during the day. Deduct the costs of child care up to $200 per minor under age 2. Deduct the costs of child care up to $175 per minor age 2 and older. For 2-parent units, allow the deduction only if the non-working parent cannot provide care (for example, due to disability). Allow dependent care costs as a deduction either in the month incurred or paid. Do not allow a deduction for care provided by any of these people: A unit member. The parent of a minor child. The spouse of the caregiver of a minor child. SNAP: Allow actual dependent care costs a unit pays for children or elderly or disabled people in the unit when a unit member: Is employed. Seeks employment. Is in school or training to prepare for employment. Use the multiplier to determine the actual dependent care costs that are paid weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or semi-monthly. The multiplier is: 4.3 for weekly costs for bi-weekly costs. 1 for monthly costs. 2 for semi-monthly costs. The dependent care costs cannot be reimbursable from another source. See (Student Financial Aid Deductions) for non-title IV aid earmarked for dependent care. Budget dependent care costs in the month the unit pays them. Verify paid dependent care costs only if questionable.

10 DEPENDENT CARE DEDUCTION Do not allow a deduction for care provided by a unit member. Do not allow a dependent care deduction for care of a unit member paid by an ineligible student. For units which contain ineligible non-citizens, non-applicants, or unit members disqualified for non-compliance with Social Security enumeration requirements who are responsible for dependent care costs: 1. Prorate the dependent care costs paid by the ineligible person or disqualified unit member among unit members. 2. Disregard the prorated share of the costs for the ineligible person(s) or disqualified unit member(s). Allow the remainder of the costs as a dependent care expense for the unit. MSA: No provisions. For a blind client see (Work Expense Deductions). GA: No provisions. GRH: Follow MSA for aged, blind, or disabled clients. Follow GA for all other adults.

11 APPEAL HEARING PROCESS Send the written request for an appeal to the appeals office within 5 working days of receiving the client request. Send the appeal summary to the client and the appeals office at least 3 working days before the date of the hearing. Before the hearing, offer the client an agency conference to resolve the appealed issue informally. The conference must include a supervisor or the agency director. If the conference resolves the issue, ask the client to sign a written request to withdraw the appeal. Do not delay sending the appeal request to the Appeals Office pending an informal conference. To allow for proper notification, the Appeals Office normally schedules a hearing within 30 days of receiving the appeal request. Hearings can be held sooner at the discretion of the Human Services Judge. The Human Services Judge may conduct a hearing face-to-face, by telephone, or videoconference. County agencies must have equipment necessary to conduct telephone hearings (such as a telephone speaker attachment). Summarize the issues (including timeliness) and county actions leading to the appeal on the State Agency Appeal Summary (DHS-0035) (PDF). Attach copies of the notice of the action being appealed and any other relevant documents. Provide copies to the client and DHS at least 3 working days before the hearing. At the hearing the county representative must explain the action taken and respond to questions from the client and the Human Services Judge. The client may give additional evidence at the hearing. Evidence given at the hearing is the basis for the Human Services judge's recommendation and the commissioner designee's decision. The Human Services judge recommends an order to the commissioner designee, who then issues an order affirming, reversing, or modifying the action of the agency or DHS. If the commissioner designee disagrees with the Human Services judge's recommendation, each party has 10 days to present additional written arguments. The commissioner designee then issues a decision. The client or the county agency may ask the commissioner designee to reconsider within 30 days after the date the commissioner designee issues the order. A request to reconsider should state the reason(s) the dissatisfied party believes the original order is incorrect. The commissioner designee may reconsider an order upon request of either party or on the commissioner designee's own motion, and will then issue an amended order or an order affirming the original order. The original order takes effect even if there is a request to reconsider. The client or the county agency may also appeal to district court within 30 days after the date the commissioner designee issues, amends, or affirms an order. Either party may also appeal to district court to enforce an appeal decision. The commissioner designee can order that the client receive benefits during the entire time of appeal. For additional SNAP appeal procedures required by FNS, see SNAP provisions below. MFIP, DWP, MSA, GA, GRH: Follow general provisions. SNAP: The client may appeal orally or in writing by sending the Appeal to State Agency (DHS-0033) to the DHS Appeals Office. The Appeal to State Agency (DHS-0033) may also be submitted via the internet. If an appeal request is given to the county agency, the request MUST be submitted to DHS within 5 working days after the client appeals orally or in writing. DO NOT delay submitting the appeal request if complete documentation is not yet received. This minimal information should include the basic information listed below: Client's information. Representative/Advocate information. Program(s). Action taken.

12 APPEAL HEARING PROCESS Submit the State Agency Appeal Summary (DHS-0035) (PDF) and complete appeal documentation to DHS Appeals after you have re-reviewed the case and talked with the client. DHS encourages the county to talk with the client about the issue before the appeal is held. If a client requests an agency conference to contest a denial of expedited benefits, schedule it within 2 working days of the denial. If the client wishes to withdraw their appeal, encourage the client to submit a signed statement. Send a copy of the signed statement to DHS Appeals. Clients may also orally withdraw their request for a hearing. Send the client a notice indicating that you have withdrawn their request for a hearing per their oral request.

13 TRIBAL TANF - MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians chose to operate a Tribal TANF program beginning The Band s program requires that there be at least 1 adult on the grant and that adult must be an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians or a 1st generation descendent. The Band has designated a 6-county service area covering Aitkin, Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Pine counties. The Band expanded the Tribal TANF program effective April 1, 2005, to enrolled members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (Leech Lake, White Earth, Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Fond du Lac, and Mille Lacs) residing in Hennepin, Ramsey or Anoka counties. Members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) living in Hennepin, Ramsey or Anoka counties have the option to receive either MFIP through the county or Tribal TANF administered by staff of the Mille Lacs Band. To participate in the Tribal TANF program there must be at least 1 active adult enrolled in MCT. Child-only cases must receive MFIP benefits through the county where the child resides. The Tribal TANF program DISREGARDS 75% of child support income for the cash portion of the Tribal program. However, COUNT the entire amount of child support the Tribal TANF unit receives toward the food portion of the grant. The cash portion of the Tribal TANF program DISREGARDS 100% of the gaming per capita payments received by an assistance unit participating in Tribal TANF. However, COUNT the entire amount of the gaming payments the unit receives toward determining the food benefits in the Tribal TANF program. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal TANF program is similar to the MFIP program, including grant amounts and benefit issuance methods. The Band uses MAXIS and is designated as County 88. EXCEPT for the initial transfer of existing eligible MFIP cases from the covered service area to the Band, handle case transfers into and out of the Tribal TANF program in the same manner as transfers from county to county. See (Change in County of Residence). Minnesota counties and agencies receiving transfers from Mille Lacs Tribal TANF must recertify the participants for the next eligible month under MFIP policy. The general requirements of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal TANF program are the same as the requirements of the MFIP program, EXCEPT as follows: The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will determine eligibility for SNAP and health care for families receiving benefits under the Tribal TANF program. The Band under contract with DHS provides MFIP child care services to families receiving Tribal TANF and living in the counties of Aitkin, Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Pine. Tribal TANF families living in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Anoka counties receive child care services through the county. All Tribal TANF families receive child support services through the counties. People who are applying for ONLY SNAP, health care, child care, or child support services must apply at their county of residence. In addition to the MFIP sanctions, the Band has some additional types of sanctions. If a Tribal TANF participant leaves the Tribal service area and wants to continue getting MFIP, the Band will remove all Tribal TANF sanctions before transferring the case. Even though participants must assign their rights and cooperate with child support requirements, the state may retain only the medical and child care support that is assigned. The state must release other forms of child support it collects to the participant. The Band does NOT count the $50 housing subsidy as income. The Tribal TANF program will conduct hearings for appeals related to cash issued or claimed under the Tribal TANF program. Appeals for SNAP, health care, or child support issues will be heard through regular appeals process. See 0027 (Appeals). A family unit applying for or participating with Tribal TANF Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians is not eligible for DWP. See (DWP Bases of Eligibility). For general information on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal TANF program, see (Tribal TANF Programs).

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15 TRIBAL TANF RED LAKE BAND OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians chose to operate a Tribal TANF program beginning Implementation to transfer authority and responsibility to Red Lake Tribal TANF begins The Band s program requires that there be at least 1 unit member who is a citizen of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians or is enrolled or eligible to be enrolled with another federallyrecognized Tribal Nation residing within the boundaries of Red Lake Nation. The Band uses MAXIS and is designated as County 94. EXCEPT for the initial transfer of existing eligible MFIP cases from the covered service area to the Band, handle case transfers into and out of the Tribal TANF program in the same manner as transfers from county to county. See (Change in County of Residence). Minnesota counties and agencies receiving transfers from Red Lake Tribal TANF must recertify the participants for the next eligible month under MFIP policy. In addition to the MFIP sanctions, the Band has some additional types of sanctions. If a Tribal TANF participant leaves the Tribal service area and wants to continue getting MFIP, the Band will remove all Tribal TANF sanctions before transferring the case. People who are applying for ONLY SNAP, health care, child care, or child support services must apply at their county of residence. A family unit applying for or participating with Tribal TANF Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is not eligible for DWP. See (DWP Bases of Eligibility). For general information on the Tribal TANF program. See (Tribal TANF Programs).

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17 REFUGEE CASH ASSISTANCE The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) to persons with eligible status who are ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or MFIP for up to 8 months after arrival in the United States. Refugee Employment Services (RES) and Refugee Social Services (RSS) are available to assist eligible persons to attain self-sufficiency within this period of time. RCA participants may continue to receive Refugee Employment and Social Services after their RCA eligibility ends. For information about assistance programs for persons with refugee and other eligible status, see 0030 (Refugee Assistance Programs). For a list of funded RES and RSS providers in Minnesota, see the Directory of Refugee Service Providers (PDF). The 30-day state residency requirement does not apply to RCA applicants. Only persons with the following status, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), are eligible for RCA: Admitted as refugees under section 207. Paroled as refugees or asylees under section 212(d)(5). Granted asylum under section 208. Cuban and Haitian entrants, in accordance with requirements in 45 CFR part Admitted as Amerasians under the Amerasian Homecoming Act. Trafficking victims who have been certified by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). People under age 18 who are trafficking victims are not required to be certified but are issued letters of confirmation by ORR. See TRAFFICKING VICTIMS in (Glossary: Thrifty...). Also see (Non-Citizens - Trafficking Victims). To be eligible, applicants must also: Have been in the United States 8 months or less. Count the month they entered the country OR the month the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted eligible status, whichever is later, as month 1 of the 8-month eligibility time limit. Provide the name of their local resettlement agency and give eligibility workers consent to contact the local resettlement agency. For the definition of a local resettlement agency see (Glossary: Learning...). Also see (Local Resettlement Agencies) for a list of local resettlement agency. Have not voluntarily quit employment, or have refused an offer of suitable employment, without good cause, within 30 days prior to application. Register for and participate in Refugee Employment Services (RES) within 30 days of approval of RCA eligibility, unless exempt or have a good cause reason for failure to participate. See (RCA Employment Services Good Cause Claims). See (Refugee Employment Services) for information on employment referrals in locations where RES are not available. NOTE: The WorkForce One (WF1) interface is not set-up for RCA electronic referrals to RES providers or ESPs. All communication must be done by paper. Refer all mandatory RCA ES participants using the Refugee Cash Assistance Program Employment Services Referral (DHS-3166R) (PDF). FAX the referral to the RES provider or other ESP. Not attend school full-time. Not be enrolled in the Matching Grant (MG) Program with the local resettlement agency. For more information about the Matching Grant Program, see (The Matching Grant Program).

18 REFUGEE CASH ASSISTANCE Persons with refugee status and Amerasians receive resettlement case management services from a local resettlement agency. See 0030 (Refugee Assistance Program), (Local Resettlement Agencies). As a condition for the receipt of RCA, a participant who is not exempt must: Accept at any time, from any source, an offer of suitable employment. Follow MFIP provisions in (Suitable/Unsuitable Work). Comply with monthly reporting requirements if receiving earned income. See (Processing Reported Changes RCA), (Monthly Reporting Cash). For information on who may be included in an RCA assistance unit, see (RCA Assistance Units). RCA participants are eligible for federally-funded SNAP benefits. See (Non-Citizens - SNAP/MSA/GA/GRH).

19 REFUGEE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES The DHS Resettlement Programs Office (RPO) contracts with community-based agencies to provide Refugee Employment Services for people with eligible status. For more information about eligible status, see 0030 (Refugee Assistance Programs). The objective goal of Refugee Employment Services (RES) is to ensure that participants achieve self-sufficiency through employment as soon as possible after arrival to the United States. RES providers offer cultural expertise, language access, and a full range of employment services, including development of individualized employment plans, job readiness classes, resume writing, mock interviewing, interview/work clothing assistance, job search support, job placement, interpretation for interviews and job orientation, employer support and follow-up through 90 days post-employment. RES are supplemental to mainstream services and are not available in every county or community. For a list of current Refugee Employment Service Providers and their locations, see the Directory of Refugee Service Providers (PDF). RES FOR RCA PARTICIPANTS RCA participants must enroll with RES/ES within 30 days of RCA eligibility approval. RES/ ES enrollment, participation and compliance are mandatory for all RCA participants, unless they meet one of the following exemptions: Employed at least 30 hours per week. Age 60 or over. Temporarily or permanently ill or disabled. Verification from a medical authority is required if the illness or disability is expected to last more than 30 days. See MEDICAL CERTIFICATION in (Glossary: Lump Sum...). Responsible for the care of a spouse who is ill or disabled. Verification from a medical authority is required if the illness or disability is expected to last more than 30 days. Experiencing a personal or family crisis, as determined by the agency. Redetermine such an exemption monthly. Limited English language skill does NOT exempt a RCA participant from enrollment in employment services, participation in employment service programs, or acceptance of appropriate offers of employment. RCA REFERRAL AND RES AVAILABILITY: Where RES are available, RCA participants must be referred to RES. Where RES are NOT available, refer RCA participants to SNAP Employment &Training (E&T). Where neither RES nor SNAP E&T are available, refer RCA participants to another locally available resource, such as a WorkForce Center or Job Development Center. NOTE: The WorkForce One (WF1) interface is not set-up for RCA electronic referrals to ESPs. All communication must be done by paper. Refer all mandatory RCA ES participants using the Refugee Cash Assistance Program Employment Services Referral (DHS-3166R) (PDF). FAX the referral to the ESP. Promptly refer RCA participants who are disabled or age 65 or older to SSA to apply for SSI. No SSI Interim Assistance Authorization (DHS-1795) (PDF) is required and no RCA overpayment results, as SSA budgets the RCA benefits as income for SSI grants. When SSI approval is verified, close the RCA case. See (Closing/Terminating RCA). When a RCA participant fails to comply with program requirements, or reaches his/her 8th month of eligibility, terminate or close the case. See (Closing/Terminating RCA). RCA participants who are eligible for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits but no longer participating in RES, must participate in SNAP E&T activities unless they meet an exemption. See (Who Must

20 REFUGEE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Participate in Empl. Services/SNAP E&T). VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION IN RES RCA: Employment-exempt RCA participants may volunteer to participate in RES (or other available employment services in areas where RES is unavailable). Volunteer participants must participate on the same level as mandatory participants. If a volunteer participant fails to comply with RES requirements, close the RES case. The volunteer participant remains eligible for RCA through his/her 8-month eligibility period. Non-Public Assistance: RES is voluntary for individuals not on public assistance who meet RES eligibility. NPA individuals may self-refer to an RES provider.