Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) & Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA)

Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP)

[MPP 69-201]

The Refugee Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-212, dated 3/17/80) was established to provide financial assistance, medical services, and social services to refugees in the United States (U.S.), regardless of national origin. RRP is cash assistance paid under the RCA program. The RCA program is a time-limited federally-funded public assistance program for eligible non-citizen populations who are not otherwise eligible for any other cash aid. It is administered by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

RCA Eligibility

RCA benefits are available to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian Entrants, certified survivors of human trafficking, and Iraqi or Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders.

The following individuals are eligible for funding under the RRP:

  • RCA individuals and couples with no minor children,
  • Families that are not CalWORKs eligible (i.e., Unemployed less than 30 days and have resided in the U.S. for less than the number of months equal to the RCA time eligibility),
  • Pregnant Person Only (PPO) case at any stage of pregnancy when there is no deprivation (refer to Pregnancy Special Needs (PSN) for verification requirement), and 
  • Asylees.

Note: PPO cases with deprivation must be evaluated for CalWORKs.

Persons Ineligible for RCA

The following persons are not eligible for RCA:

  • Families and PPO cases (must have deprivation) eligible for CalWORKs,
  • Individuals/families whose Date of Entry is more than the number of months equal to the RCA time eligibility,
  • Full-time college students, and
  • Individuals without INS Refugee Status.

Parolees

Humanitarian parolees are generally not eligible for federal public benefits, including RCA, unless and until they change their immigration status to one that makes them qualified non-citizens under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). However, when authorized by Congress, some humanitarian parolees are eligible for federal benefits. 

Temporarily Paroled Individuals

Section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) grants the U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to temporarily parole individuals into the U.S. on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.

Such "parolees" have not been formally admitted to the U.S. but rather are considered applicants for admission. They may apply for employment authorization as well as for any immigration status for which they may be eligible, such as asylum or Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Individuals have been paroled into the U.S. under INA Section 212(d)(5) through different categories and programs, including, but not limited to:

  • Parole granted at a U.S. port of entry with a "DT" class of admission (COA),
  • Country-specific family reunification parole programs, such as those for Cuba and Haiti,
  • Operation Allies Welcome (OAW),
  • Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program,
  • Parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV parole program).

Parole Expiration or Termination

The length of parole terms under INA Section 212(d)(5) generally range from 30 days to three years, depending on each parolee’s individual circumstances and COA.

An individual’s parole will terminate:

  • Upon their departure from the U.S.,
  • At the expiration of the time for which parole was authorized, or
  • At the discretion of DHS if it is determined that neither humanitarian reasons nor public benefit warrants their continued presence in the U.S.

Federally-Funded TANF Eligibility

Individuals paroled into the U.S. under INA Section 212(d)(5) must be paroled for at least one year (365 days or more) to meet the definition of "qualified non-citizen" and be eligible for federal TANF assistance. 

Certain categories of parolees are exempt from the one-year requirement for federal TANF assistance under PRWORA. Exempt parolee categories include: 

  • Cuban and Haitian Entrants (CHEs),
  • Afghan humanitarian parolees paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023,
  • Citizens or nationals of Ukraine (or persons who last habitually resided in Ukraine) paroled into the U.S. between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024,
  • Certain spouses, children, parents, legal guardians, and primary caregivers of Afghan and Ukrainian parolees paroled after September 30, 2023.

State-Funded CalWORKs Eligibility

Individuals paroled into the U.S. under INA Section 212(d)(5) for less than one year meet the qualified non-citizen requirements under CalWORKs and may be eligible for CalWORKs if all other program eligibility criteria are met.

If an individual is not in another qualifying noncitizen status after their parole expires or is terminated, they are not eligible for CalWORKs and must be discontinued at the next SAR 7 or annual redetermination (RD). A change in the immigration status of a family member is not considered a mandatory mid-period report.

Additionally, the Social Services Benefits Specialist (SSBS) must complete a Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) verification before discontinuing individuals to ensure they are not eligible for assistance under a different qualifying non-citizen category.

Reminder: If an individual leaves the household after their parole has expired or been terminated, the family is subject to existing rules regarding changes in household composition.

RCA/ECA Eligibility

Certain parolee populations are eligible for ORR benefits and services, including RCA/ECA. These populations include: 

  • CHEs who are paroled into the U.S.,
  • Afghan Humanitarian Parolees (AHPs),
  • Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHPs).

Continued eligibility for an individual or family who is receiving RCA/ECA, but who no longer holds a qualifying status or category after the expiration or termination of their parole, will be redetermined at SAR 7. RCA/ECA rules do not require SSBSs to verify status via SAVE at the time of a SAR 7. However, SSBSs must follow SAVE requirements for any other benefits the individual or family is receiving.

Parole for Cuban Medical Personnel in Third World Countries Program

On August 11, 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the Parole for Cuban Medical Personnel in Third World Countries Program. This program allows certain Cuban medical personnel located outside of Cuba to apply for admission to the U.S.

Federally-Funded Benefits

Cuban medical professionals, their Cuban spouses, and Cuban children who are paroled as Cuban/Haitian Entrants under INA Section 212(d)(5) are immediately eligible to receive federally-funded CalWORKs benefits. These individuals are NOT subject to the five-year waiting period for federally-funded CalWORKs benefits, but are required to meet all other CalWORKs eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

State-Funded Benefits

The non-Cuban spouse and non-Cuban children of these medical professionals who are paroled into the U.S. under INA Section 212(d)(5) are defined as “qualified non-citizens”. Although they meet the definition of a “qualified non-citizen”, unless the non-Cuban spouse and non-Cuban children have another status qualifying them for benefits, they have to wait five years before they are eligible for federally-funded benefits. However, they would be eligible for state-funded benefits and would be required to meet all other CalWORKs eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

Verification

The documentation required for the Cuban medical professional and their Cuban spouse and Cuban children is the “Arrival/Departure Record” (Form I-94) with the parole stamp. The I-94 includes a notation after the word “Purpose” with “Cuban Parolee (CC); pending 240 hearing.” The form may also refer to INA Code Section 212(d)(5).

Reminder: All documentation must be verified through the SAVE process for confirmation of non-citizen status. If an Alien number is not provided on Form I-94, Secondary Verification Procedures must be initiated.

Welfare-to-Work (WTW) Requirements

Families that qualify under the Parole for Cuban Medical Personnel in Third World Countries Program are required to meet WTW requirements.

Note: Cuban medical professionals may be eligible for ECA if they are not eligible for CalWORKs.

Cuban Haitian Entrant Program (CHE Program or CHEP)

[MPP 69-302]

Legal Definition

A Cuban or Haitian Entrant (CHE) is defined in Section 501(a) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-442, 10/10/80) and Code of Federal Regulation 401.2 as:

  • Any individual granted parole status as a CHE (Status Pending) or granted any other special status subsequently established under the immigration laws for nationals of Cuba or Haiti, regardless of the status of the individual at the time assistance of services are provided.
  • Any national of Cuba or Haiti who:
    • Was paroled into the U.S. and has not acquired any other status under the INA, or
    • Is the subject of removal, deportation, or exclusion proceedings under the INA, or
    • Has an application for asylum pending with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), AND
    • Has no final, non-appealable, and legally enforceable order of removal, deportation or exclusion against them.

Eligibility Determination

A CHE may be eligible for ORR-funded assistance programs such as RCA/ECA, Refugee Supportive Services (RSS), and Services for Older Refugee (SOR). They are also eligible for mainstream federal benefits, including CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as Housing and Homelessness Programs. Cash assistance time eligibility for CHEs begins with their date of parole.

Documentation Requirements and Eligibility Determination Process

CHE applicants must provide documentation that confirms their nationality and their immigration status to receive ORR-funded benefits and services (refer to Common Place Handbook Cuban/Haitians). If the applicant provides documentation not listed in the CHE table, then follow the eligibility process below.

  1. Acquire a written declaration, under penalty of perjury, that the applicant is a national of Cuba or Haiti and has a status that makes them eligible for benefits.
  2. Obtain and review documentation (from the list in Common Place Handbook Cuban/Haitians) of immigration status and Cuban or Haitian nationality. The U.S. visit documentation (visitor visa), by itself, is not acceptable to prove eligibility or ORR benefits and services.
  3. If the provided documentation supports the applicant’s status as a CHE, verify the entry date and program-specific requirements.
  4. If unable to confirm immigration status from the documentation provided, other verification methods should be utilized, such as SAVE or Form 845.
  5. If unable to verify immigration status after exhausting all the above resources, SSBS Supervisors should contact the CalWORKs Program Coordinator.
  6. SAVE verification: Regardless of the documentation provided, SSBSs are required to comply with all program verification requirements, which includes submitting cases via SAVE.

In the process of determining eligibility, SSBSs may find that some Haitians who were paroled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the U.S. DHS may have restrictive language on their I-94s, which inaccurately states: “This form does not convey authorization to receive any type of public benefit”. The ORR Policy Letter 16-03 provides instructions to continue the issuance of ORR benefits and services to these applicants.

Some Cuban parolees may have a non-Cuban spouse and/or non-Cuban children who do not meet the definition of CHEs. These non-Cuban spouses and children are not eligible for ORR benefits, including ECA, unless they have another qualifying status.

ECA Eligibility

The Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-442, 10/10/80) established a CHE Program (CHEP) to provide eligible Cubans and Haitians with medical assistance, cash assistance, and social services. CHEP is cash assistance paid under the ECA program. CHEP follows the eligibility rules of the RRP.

ECA refers to federally-funded cash assistance available to eligible Cubans and Haitians who do not meet the categorical requirements of other state/federal cash assistance programs (CalWORKs or SSI/SSP). ECA eligibility requirements are the same as RCA except for the following:

CHEs are eligible for ORR benefits and services from the date they first enter into CHE status (which for Cuban Parolees will be the date of grant of parole, or first parole if more than one parole was granted).

Applicants for ECA, as with RCA, are not required to disclose their Social Security Number (SSN). Refer to the Social Security Numbers section in Application Processing for more information.

CalWORKs/TANF Eligibility

Some qualified non-citizens are not eligible for any federal means-tested public benefit for a period of 5 years from their date of entry. However, this limitation does not apply to CHEs as defined above. Therefore, a CHE who meets all other eligibility requirements is eligible for CalWORKs/TANF assistance.

CHEs who are eligible for CalWORKs/TANF are also eligible for CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) and CalWORKs Housing Support Program (CHSP) which can provide housing support to obtain or maintain permanent housing. Participation in WTW is not a condition of eligibility for CHSP.

Parole Expiration or Termination

Any Cuban or Haitian national who is paroled into the U.S. under INA Section 212(d)(5) (including those paroled through the CHNV parole program, Cuban and Haitian family reunification parole programs, and others), and whose parole expires or is terminated, continues to qualify as a CHE. These individuals continue to be eligible for ORR and mainstream federal benefits and services, including RCA/ECA, RSS, CalWORKs, and CalFresh.

SSBSs must not discontinue benefits and services for CHE parolees based solely on the expiration or termination of their parole. CHE parole expiration or termination must be reported at the SAR 7 and RD. However, CHEs remain eligible for ORR and mainstream federal benefits and services for the standard time frames and not beyond them.

RCA and ECA Aid Codes

Eligible Cuban/Haitian Entrants who are not eligible for other cash assistance are issued RCA/ECA benefits.

The MEDS aid code for the RCA is 01, and the aid code for ECA is 08.

Individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, or Venezuela (CHNV)

Individuals from CHNV may request advance travel authorization to come to the U.S. and be considered for parole for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. If approved, a qualifying individual can receive a temporary grant of parole for up to two years, including employment authorization.

To be considered under this process, an individual from CHNV must pass rigorous biometric and biographic national security and public safety screening and vetting; have a supporter in the U.S. who commits to providing financial and other support; meet other eligibility criteria and warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.

The parole process described above is just one pathway by which Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) citizens and national may enter the U.S. CHNV citizens and nationals can arrive under several immigration categories and may apply for a change of immigration status or category once inside the U.S. Likely immigration statuses that may be encountered when serving these CHNV citizens and nationals include:

  • Refugee
  • Asylee
  • Humanitarian Parole
  • Sponsored Non-citizen (Lawful Permanent Resident [LPR])
  • Non-immigrant Visa Holder
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Holder
  • Asylum Applicant.

CHNV Refugees and Asylees

Refugees and Asylees qualify for RCA, Refugee Support Services, and other programs. Subject to very limited exceptions, asylum applicants do not qualify for federally-funded benefits and services unless they hold another qualifying status.

CHNV Humanitarian Parolees

Nicaraguan and Venezuelan parolees are not currently eligible for ORR-funded refugee benefits and services. However, because of existing exceptions for Cuban and Haitian parolees who arrive in the U.S. under this new supporter-based parole process, these parolees are eligible for benefits and services to the same extent as refugees. All CHNV parolees are eligible to apply for work authorization and a SSN.

Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders are not eligible for most federal or state public benefits and services unless and until they acquire a qualified non-citizen status. Individuals with TPS may apply for an Employment Authorization Document and immigrant or non-immigrant status. The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.

RCA Eligibility

Venezuelan and Nicaraguan humanitarian parolees do not qualify for RCA. Cuban and Haitian humanitarian parolees are eligible for RCA. In the event the status is unable to be confirmed after reviewing immigration documents, a written declaration under penalty of perjury may be accepted while using other methods to verify information.

Related Topics

Refugee Programs