Refugees/TCVAP

The Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) includes Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) and Entrant Medical Assistance (EMA). Refugee applicants who meet the definition of Cuban/Haitian “Entrants” and have the proper documents are entitled to receive EMA. All other Refugee applicants must meet the definition of “Refugee” to receive RMA. Both programs, RMA and EMA are identical except where specifically mentioned, unless different EMA rules are specified RMA refers to both RMA and EMA in this chapter.

For purposes of determining eligibility for assistance, refugees and entrants who apply for Medi-Cal (MC) under the RMA programs must meet the following definition of “Refugee”. 

There are three identified categories of Refugees that meet this definition and may qualify for medical assistance programs. They are as follows:

  • Persons Identified by the Federal Government as Refugees
  • Children of Refugees Identified by the Federal Government as Refugees
  • Cuban/Haitian Entrants Identified as Refugees

Persons Identified by the Federal Government as Refugees

The following are persons considered Refugees by the federal government:

  • An individual from Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam who was paroled under Section 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and who has a Form I-94 indicating their parole status.
  • An individual from Cuba who entered the United States on or after October 1, 1978, and was paroled under Section 212(d)(5) of the INA as indicated on Form I-94.
  • An individual from any country other than Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam or Cuba who was paroled under Section 212(d)(5) of the INA as a Refugee or Asylee.
  • An individual from any country admitted as a conditional entrant, prior to April 1, 1980, under section 203(a)(7) of the INA as indicated on Form I-94.
  • An Asylee is an individual from any country who has been “granted” asylum under Section 208 of the INA as indicated on Form I-94. The I-94 will show admission codes as: AS-1, AS-2 or AS-3, an I-94 with Visa 92 (or V-92), an order of an Immigration Judge Granting Asylum under Section 208 of INA, or an Asylum Approval Letter from a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Asylum Office.

Reminder: An applicant for asylum is not eligible for any full scope Medi-Cal program (including RMA) until asylum has been granted. “Recommended” for asylum is not the same as “Granted” asylum. The applicant must have a written decision from the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or a letter from an immigration judge that states asylum has been granted.

  • An individual from any country who is now a permanent resident non-citizen as indicated by a Form I-151 or I-551 (Resident Non-citizen forms), who previously held one of the status’ specified above.
  • An individual admitted under the Amerasian Homecoming Act as an Amerasian. Only Amerasians from Vietnam are eligible. Form I-94 with code AM1, AM2, AM3; I-551 with code AM1, AM2, AM3, AM6, AM7 or AM8; Vietnamese Exit Visa, Vietnamese passport, or U.S. passport if stamped AM1, AM2, or AM3.

Children of Refugees Identified by the Federal Government as 
Refugees

The following are children of refugees that are identified by the federal government:

  • Children born in the U.S. of refugee parents are identified as a citizen child of a refugee.
  • Children who are born of a refugee and a U.S. citizen (living with the refugee parent only) are identified as a citizen child of a refugee.

Note: The following two categories of children are NOT eligible for RMA:

  • Children of refugees who are relinquished for foster care placement.

  • Children who are born in the U.S. of a refugee and a U.S. citizen where the U.S. parent is part of a household

Cuban/Haitian Entrants Identified as Refugees

The following persons are identified as Refugees:

  • Cubans and Haitians who have an USCIS Form I-94 which states “Cuban/Haitian Entrant (Status Pending).”
  • Haitians who have an USCIS Form I-94 which states that the person is a citizen of Haiti who has been either “Paroled” or granted “Voluntary Departure” status.
  • Cubans who have an USCIS Form I-94 which meets all of the following:
  • States that the person is a citizen of Cuba;
  • States the person was paroled on or after April 21, 1980; and
  • Does not contain the words “Outstanding Order of Exclusion.”
  • Cuban/Haitian Nationals paroled into the U.S. from Guantanamo or Havana with special status under the immigration laws for Cuban/Haitians. I-94 with notation “Public Interest Parolee per Presidential Policy” dated October 14, 1994.

Persons Not Identified by the Federal Government as Refugees

The following persons are not considered Refugees and are NOT eligible for RMA:

  • Any person with USCIS Status of “Applicant” for Asylum or Humanitarian/Public Interest Parolee.
  • Persons who are dependent upon an individual who is a repatriated U.S. citizen.

Note: Dependents who qualify as refugees (eligible for Refugee RCA/RMA/EMA after 90 days), AND Who meet one of the following categories or relationships with such citizen:

  • spouse,

  • parents,

  • grandparents,

  • unmarried minor children (under 18),

  • children (adopted children and stepchildren),

  • unmarried adult children (dependent because of handicap),

  • spouse’s parents,

  • spouse’s grandparents,

  • minor siblings of the repatriate and spouse.

Related Topics

Eligibility Determination

Medi-Cal Eligibility Period