REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT Overview of the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Presented by: Fiona Corbin Regional Program Advisor Settlement Directorate, Ontario Region Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) November 2008
Canada s Role in Resettlement Canada s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) allows foreign nationals to apply for refugee protection while outside Canada Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) are persons assessed overseas to be people in need of protection & resettlement Resettlement is part of Canada s international humanitarian commitment Canada has two resettlement programs Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) GARs are not, and have not previously been in-canada refugee claimants
How are GARs selected? United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) refers case to Canadian Visa office overseas Refugee completes Application for Permanent Residence Changes in selection from IRPA 2002 Focus now on need for protection GARs exempt from ability to establish and excessive demand for medical services
How many GARs arrive in Canada each year? Canada resettles approximately 7,500 Government Assisted Refugees 2,300 are resettled in Ontario to six communities: Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Kitchener, Windsor Local Toronto 750 London 280 Ottawa 380 Kitchener 280 Hamilton 320 Windsor 300
Matching and Destining of Government Assisted Refugees Matched with a destination community in Canada Know very little about Canada or the community May have received general information through the Canadian Orientation Abroad program before departure Assisted with travel by International Organization for Migration (IOM) Loans are provided to cover transportation costs
Where do GARs come from? Ontario 2007 Burma (Myanmar) (Karen) Afghanistan Somalia Iran Democratic Republic of Congo Colombia Iraq Sudan Burundi Eritrea Ethiopia
What are the characteristics of GARs that come to Ontario? Very high settlement needs Many have spent years in a refugee camp & lack essential life skills & ability to make decisions or set goals Little or no financial resources Range of education, language ability, work experience Large & extended families of 4 children or more Defacto families and family members Majority arrive with a wide variety of health concerns both physical and emotional
The Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) RAP is a financial assistance program that provides for the basic needs of life, including basic household needs, and immediate essential services. It has two components: Reception Services: IRIS meet and greet, onward transportation, winter clothing Reception Houses orientation, temporary accommodation, essential needs, mandatory federal and provincial programs, permanent accommodation assistance Income Support: - Mirror social assistance rates - Basic needs plus household needs - Administered by CIC Officers - Assessed upon arrival for eligibility - Mail-in program - 12 months term - 24 months for special needs
Reception Services Immigrant Reception and Information Services (IRIS) At the Port of Entry Welcome and Interpretation Help with Immigration process Onward transportation Winter clothing
Reception Services Reception Centres/Houses Provide temporary accommodation Orientation and essential needs (First Steps) Assistance finding permanent accommodation Life skills help
Income Support Mirrors social assistance rates in the province of Ontario Administered by local Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) staff Assessed upon arrival for eligibility Mail in program 12 month term 24 months for special needs (JAS) One Year Window program
Income Support Monthly Income Support issued to cover costs of: Rent Basic food Other basic costs Transportation (equivalent to monthly pass for all family members 18years and over) Additional allowances for families with young children
Income Support The level of Income Support may change during the 12 months if: Change in family size Employment (employment incentive 50%) Client leaves the province of Ontario or Canada National Child Benefit Supplement (NCB) The Client Report allows clients to communicate with the local CIC Officer about changes
RAP and the ISAP Settlement Worker How and When to Contact the Local CIC Officer Routinely in writing through a client report form Change of address Employment (full or part time) Travel outside of Canada Change in family size (pregnancy, birth, separation, death) Any other reason that may affect a client s income support Client s not receiving monthly cheque by the end of the month A death in the family Not receiving the first Child Tax Benefit cheque before the RAP NCB deductions start Secondary Migrants Questions on Immigrant Loans Enquiries 1 800 667 7301 For all other Immigration related questions contact the CALL CENTRE at 1 888 242 2100
Meeting the Challenges Diverse backgrounds and settlement needs Family Composition Health (both physical and emotional) Education and Language ability Employability Settlement needs (life skills and more) Client Support Services Pilot Project How the Settlement Sector can help
RAP ISAP CSS (Client support pilot) 4 to 6 weeks Ongoing settlement help First year after arrival Reception at the Port of entry Temporary accommodation Basic orientation to life in Canada Assistance finding permanent accommodation Initial needs assessment Referral to community services Orientation/Information Translation & Interpretation Improve GAR access to services Engage community agencies in providing support Design & document a tested model for long term support to GARs Activities to include needs assessments, home visits Life skills Solution-focused counselling and follow-up, settlement plan, Employment related services Service Bridging Interpretation & translation Desk free, mobile type services
HOW TO IDENTIFY GOVERNMENT ASSISTED AND PRIVATELY SPONSORED REFUGEES Convention Refugees Government Assisted Refugee CR 1 CR 4 (Self Supporting - no income Support) CR 5 (Joint Assistance Sponsorship - JAS) Privately Sponsored Refugee CR 3, CRC, CRS, CRG, CRX Humanitarian Protected Persons Abroad: Country of Asylum Class Government Assisted Refugee RA 4 (Self Supporting- no income Support) RA 5 (Joint Assistance Sponsorship- JAS) Privately Sponsored Refugee RA 3, RAC, RAS, RAG, RAX Humanitarian Protected Persons Abroad: Source Country Class Government Assisted Refugee RS 1 RS 4 (Self Supporting- no income Support) RS 5 (Joint Assistance Sponsorship- JAS) Privately Sponsored Refugee RS 3, RSC, RSS, RSG, RSX 17
Basic Information on the IFH Program In Ontario, Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) are entitled to provincial health insurance plans upon arrival GARs are also entitled to IFH coverage for duration of their RAP income support period (normally 12 months but up to 24 months for JAS clients) Since GARs have provincial health insurance (OHIP), IFH coverage is primarily a supplemental health plan which is limited to drugs, dental and vision benefits The program information handbook, claim forms and searchable drug formulary can be found at www.fasadmin.com
Basic Information Certain non-dental benefits require prior approval from CIC. Prior approval requests must be faxed to CIC at 1-800-362-7456. Benefits requiring prior approval from CIC include: Certain limited use medications Co-payment for assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetic and orthotic devices Home care Private sector-delivered physiotherapy and psychotherapy The call centre, payment claims and dental prior approvals are handled by a private company called FAS Benefits Ltd based in Edmonton (Call Centre: 1-800-770-2998)
Recent Program Enhancements Copy of IFH Certificate (IMM1442) Not Required for Claim Eyewear No Longer Requires Prior Approval IFH-Set Rates Increased by 5% IFH Now Covers Local Ambulance Rates New Drugs have been added to the Formulary New Over the Counter (OTC) drugs added to the Formulary
Recent/Upcoming Program Enhancements More Efficient Claims Processing System (Summer 2008) Updated FAS Website (Fall 2008) Updated IFH Provider Handbook (early 2009) Revised Claim Forms (early 2009) Revised Client Information Brochure (early 2009) Expanded Mental Health Services (early 2009) Expanded Physiotherapy Services (early 2009) Expanded Dental Services (mid 2009)