Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) & Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP)

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1 Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) & Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program (TCVAP) MPP Refugee Resettlement Program MPP Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program CWHB 51-63; ; ;

2 Acronyms and Definitions RRP RCA USCIS ORR RA TCVAP EAD ECA Refugee Resettlement Program Refugee Cash Assistance United State Custom & Immigration Services Office of Refugee Resettlement Resettlement Agencies Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance Program Employment Authorization Document Entrant Cash Assistance program 2

3 U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) The objective is to provide effective resettlement of refugees and to assist refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency within the shortest possible time after entrance to the United States through employment and acculturation by use of coordinated supportive services and cash/medical assistance 3

4 Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) Provides Federal funding to cover a time limited financial assistance to refugees who are: Single Adult who DOES NOT have children Married Couple who DOES NOT have children Meeting the income and resources requirements Not eligible for other programs 4

5 WHO ARE REFUGEES? A refugee is: any person who is outside any country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which such person last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of, that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. 5

6 Immigration Category Refugee Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Asylee Cuban and Haitian Entrant Status Description Individual who are unable to return to their countries due to persecution or fear of persecutions on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or Social Group Iraqis and Afghans who were employed by or assisted the U.S. Armed Forces with translation and interpreter services. Individual who travel to the United States as victims of persecution and then apply for asylum Note: Applicants for asylum are not eligible until asylum status is actually granted Entrants receive parole or other special status Amerasian Trafficking and Crime Victim Refugees born Vietnam, during 12/31/1960 to 10/22/1982 and fathered by US Citizen Non-citizens who are certified victims of human trafficking (sexual exploitation or forced labor), domestic violence, or other serious crimes. 6 6

7 7 7

8 Benefits and Services Refugees are eligible to apply for the same assistance programs as U.S. citizens, including the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), CalFresh, Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/State Supplementary Payment (SSP) Program, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), and General Relief/General Assistance. Single refugee adults or families without children who are not eligible for other welfare assistance may be eligible to receive Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) for their first eight months in the U.S. 8

9 Refugee Cash Assistance Financial Assistance For 1 person household : $333 (Grant) + $111 (Supplemental) = $ For 2 persons : $ (Grant ) + $ ( Supplemental) = $ CalFresh (formerly Food Stamps) FS 1 person: $ (No Income) it will change depending on income, rent, FS 2 persons: $ (No Income) it will change depending on income, rent, Health Care Coverage Employment Services Language Assistance Services Work-Related Acculturation Job Readiness Internship/Work Experience Skills Training Job Development Assistance Job Retention Career Advancement 9

10 The 8 months time limit eligibility begins: Immigration Status Refugee, SIV, Amerasian Asylee Cuban and Haitian Entrants Trafficking and Crime Victims Beginning Date Date of Entry Asylum granting Date Date parole or other status granted TCVAP recipients Application date Non-TCVAP recipients: Date of ORR Certification Letter for victims 18 years old and over 10

11 RCA General Requirements Cannot voluntarily quit a job (69-203) Cannot refuse a job offer (69-203) Must participate in employment programs unless exempted Cannot be a full-time student in a higher education institute Can be exempt (CalWORKs exemptions). Is consistent with CalWORKs in determining initial and on-going eligibility 11

12 Within 30 days of approval of aid, a refugee will move toward maximum achievable self-supporting level as quickly as possible through individualized employment plan and supportive services by registering in county approved employment services activities: Job-related activities: job search, job placement, job retention services Skill training English Language Training (ELT): language instruction, with an emphasis on English as it relates to obtaining and retaining a job. Acculturation: Banking, credit, tax services, workplace-related attire and communication Employability assessment services: aptitude and skills testing Case management services Other employment related activities. 12

13 In 2012 The US Department of State estimated that 27 million men, women, and children around the world are victims of human trafficking 14,500-17,500 annually in the US 13

14 Victims of Trafficking With Certification Willing to assist in prosecuting trafficker 14

15 Individuals without certification may receive state funded assistance. ACIN NO & ACL NO

16 Qualifying for State Benefits for Victims of Human Trafficking Under SB 1569 provisions client can receive State TCVAP (Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program) funding equivalent to RCA. The time limit is eight (8) months If a recipient of state TCVAP funded becomes federally eligible, another (8) months of Federal funded RCA eligibility will begin 16

17 1) Determine the applicant s trafficking status, based on: A sworn statement by a victim (or representative) and certain supporting evidence from: Police, government agency or court records or files News articles Documentation from a social services agency Statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances Physical evidence A copy of the completed visa application Written notice from USCIS of receipt of the T visa application 17

18 Sample of a Sworn Statement 18

19 3) Applicant take steps to become federally eligible if: Is preparing to file/has filed an application for a T visa; or Is otherwise taking steps to meet the eligibility conditions for federal benefits; or Is a person for whom "continued presence" in the U.S. has been requested by law enforcement agency 19

20 Documentation that determine whether an applicant has filed, or is preparing to file, for a T visa: Receipt from USCIS; or Copy of entire T visa application (I-914); or Statement from person in official capacities (Law enforcement officer, government agency representative, immigration lawyer, etc); or Applicant s statement that he/she has filed or intends to file for a T visa or is taking steps to become federally eligible If no additional evidence is available, a sworn statement will be sufficient 20

21 State-funded services terminated for a Trafficking Victim if: a) T visa has been denied by USCIS; or b) Application for T visa has NOT been filed within one year of applying for state benefits; or c) Request for continued presence has NOT been made within one year; or The victim is certified as a human trafficking victim by ORR and will be transferred from the state-funded program to the federal program. 21

22 U Visa Is for victims of Serious criminal activity which allows certain individuals to remain in the U.S. Who are willing to cooperate with law enforcement officials and are in need of support and services (SB 1569) TCVAP provides state-funded only benefits and services to applicants who filed for or granted a U Visa 22

23 Two Steps for U visa applicants to meet TCVAP eligibility 1. Income/Resource Limitations that consistent with CalWORKs rules and regulations 23

24 Two Steps for U visa applicants to meet TCVAP eligibility 2. A Notice of Action (Form I-797): Showing U Visa has been granted; or A confirmation receipt or letter from USCIS verifying that a U Visa application (Form I-918) has been filed; or An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued for an approved U Visa petitioner. 24

25 I-797 Federal Notice of Action EAD 25

26 RS 36 26

27 RCA 43 Notice of A Participation Problem is available In CalWIN RCA 44 Notice of No Good Cause And Compliance Plan Appointment is also available In CalWIN 27

28 Any Questions? Eva Iraheta County Refugee Coordinator Individual Referral Coordinator 170 Otis Street, 1 st Floor Employment Information Center (EIC), Room 1-T Eva.Iraheta@sfgov.org 28

29 Refugees Exempt from Registration A person under 16 years of age A person age 60 or older A person 16 or 17 years of age who is a full-time student as defined by the age chapter of the CalWORKs regulations. A person 18 years of age who is a full-time student in a secondary school (12 th grade or below) or in equivalent level of vocational or technical training as defined by the age chapter of the CalWORKs regulations, if the person is expected to complete 12 th grade or the training program prior to his/her 19 th birthday. 29

30 Refugees Exempt from Registration cont A person who is at least 16 but not yet 18 years old and participating full-time in vocational or technical school or training, which is considered appropriate by the Case Worker. A person who is ill or injured, when his/her illness or injury is verified by a physician s written statement that the illness or injury is serious enough to temporarily prevent his/her entry into employment or an employment-directed education/training program. A person who is incapacitated, when it is determined that the physical or mental impairment, by itself or in conjunction with age, prevents the individual from engaging in employment or participating in an employment-directed education/training program. 30

31 Refugees Exempt from Registration cont.. A person whose presence is the home is required on a substantially continuous basis because of the physical or mental impairment of another member in the household, when verified by a physician s written statement. A person who is working more than 32 hours a week in unsubsidized employment which is expected to last a minimum of 30 days. This exemption continues to apply if there is a temporary break in full-time employment which is expected to last no longer than 10 workdays. A woman who is pregnant and provides medical verification that the pregnancy impairs her ability to be regularly employed or participate in employment/training related activities. An exemption based on a medically-verified pregnancy may also be granted when the Case Worker determines that participation will not readily lead to employment or that a training activity is not appropriate. 31