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Time Eligibility
Federal Funding
There is 100% federal funding for the Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) and the Cuban Haitian Entrant Program (CHEP).
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Program |
Time Eligibility |
Aid Type |
| Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)/Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA) |
12 months |
01-G, Refugee Family (Employable) 01-N, Refugee Family (Unemployable) 01-R, Refugee 01-W, Amerasian 01-X, Amerasian Family 08-O, Cuban/Haitian (Employable) 08-N, Cuban/Haitian (Unemployable) |
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Unaccompanied Minor Foster Care |
Age 18 or the month of high school graduation |
01-F, Refugee 01-U, Amerasian 01-V, Amerasian - Infant Supplement 08-F, Cuban/Haitian 08-M, Cuban/Haitian - Infant Supplement |
State-Only Funding
Non-citizens determined eligible for the Trafficking and Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP) under the provisions of Senate Bill 1569, if otherwise eligible, will receive state-funded benefits and services equivalent to the federally-funded RCA Program.
The time eligibility period for state-only RCA will also be the number of months reflected in the table above for RCA. If a recipient of state-only RCA becomes federally eligible (ORR certified), another eligibility period will begin (federally-funded), effective the date of ORR certification. The eligibility period for state-only RCA will begin from the date of application for public assistance.
Systematic Alien Verification Entitlements (SAVE)
[69-211.3]
If the RCA/ECA applicant provides acceptable refugee status documentation, but the EW is unable to confirm the information through the SAVE process, the case must be approved accordingly. However, the EW must follow SAVE procedures for any questionable documentation, unless the refugee chooses to secure the appropriate documentation by contacting USCIS directly. Refer to Common Place Handbook Chapter 7 SAVE for more information.
Exception: SAVE will not contain information about victims of a severe form of trafficking or their non-immigrant family members. Until further notice, do not contact SAVE concerning these individuals. For any questions regarding their immigration status, contact ORR at 1-(866)-401-5510.
Time Eligibility Determination
[69-205.24]
RCA Applicant/Recipient
The month of arrival (date of entry), as indicated on the USCIS Form I-94, is counted as the first month in determining time eligibility.
Victims of Human Trafficking, Domestic Abuse, or Other Serious Crimes
The date of entry will be the ORR certification date on the certification letter. The date of entry is the first date of eligibility.
Non-Immigrant Family Members of Trafficking Victims
The date of entry for benefits purposes is:
- The notice date on the Form I-797, Notice of Action of approval of the individual's Derivative “T” Visa, for a non-immigrant family member already present in the United States (U.S.) on the date the Derivative “T” Visa was issued.
- The date of entry stamped on the individual’s passport or I-94 Arrival Record for a non-immigrant family member who enters the U.S. on the basis of a Derivative “T” Visa.
U.S. Citizen Child
The “date of entry” for a U.S. citizen child born to a refugee is the entry date of the most recently arrived parent or the child's date of birth, whichever is earlier.
ECA Applicant/Recipient
The date of parole (release from USCIS custody), including entrant children born in the U.S. resettlement camps, is counted as the first month in determining time eligibility.
Note: A refugee/entrant who is within the RCA/ECA time eligibility period following the date of entry/parole into the U.S. is referred to as an RCA/ECA time-eligible refugee for purposes of RCA/ECA. A refugee/entrant who has lived in the U.S. for more than the number of months equal to the RCA/ECA time eligibility is referred to as a RCA/ECA time-expired refugee for RCA/ECA purposes.
Individual Granted Asylum
The “date of entry” for an individual granted asylum is the date USCIS “grants” asylum. It is not the date they entered the U.S. Individuals with asylum pending are not eligible for assistance.
Unaccompanied Minor Children
The rule for time limits does not apply to unaccompanied minor children. Refer to Time Eligibility - Unaccompanied Refugee Minor.
Related Topics
Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) Program