HTML has links - PDF has Authentication

Chapter 388-466 WAC

Last Update: 12/29/22

REFUGEE PROGRAM

WAC Sections

HTMLPDF388-466-0005Immigration status requirements for refugee cash assistance.
HTMLPDF388-466-0120Refugee cash assistance (RCA).
HTMLPDF388-466-0140Income and resources for refugee cash assistance eligibility.
HTMLPDF388-466-0150Refugee employment and training services.
DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE
388-466-0010Treatment of income and resources for refugee assistance. [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-466-0010, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.] Repealed by WSR 02-04-057, filed 1/30/02, effective 2/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.320.
388-466-0015Work and training requirements for refugee cash assistance. [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-466-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.] Repealed by WSR 00-22-085, filed 10/31/00, effective 12/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.
388-466-0020Exemptions to work and training requirements. [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-466-0020, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.] Repealed by WSR 00-22-085, filed 10/31/00, effective 12/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.
388-466-0025Penalties for not complying with work and training requirements. [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-466-0025, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.] Repealed by WSR 00-22-085, filed 10/31/00, effective 12/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.
388-466-0130Refugee medical assistance (RMA). [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.320, Pub. L. No. 110-181, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Pub. L. No. 111-08, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Division F, Title VI, Section 602; Office of Refugee Resettlement State Letter 09-17 from April 9, 2009; and federal guidance issued on May 15, 2009, by the Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture. WSR 09-21-046, § 388-466-0130, filed 10/14/09, effective 11/4/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08A.320, 74.08.090, and Public Law 110-161 Section 525; Public Law 110-181 Section 1244; FNS Admin Notice 08-17; State Letter 04-12 from the Office of Refugee Resettlement. WSR 08-14-116, § 388-466-0130, filed 6/30/08, effective 8/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057. WSR 04-05-010, § 388-466-0130, filed 2/6/04, effective 3/8/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.320. WSR 00-21-065, § 388-466-0130, filed 10/16/00, effective 11/1/00.] Decodified by WSR 12-02-034, filed 12/29/11, effective 1/1/12. Recodified as § 182-507-0130.

PDF388-466-0005

Immigration status requirements for refugee cash assistance.

(1) You may be eligible for refugee cash assistance (RCA) if you can provide documentation issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), that you are:
(a) Admitted as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationalities Act (INA);
(b) Paroled into the U.S. as a refugee or asylee under section 212 (d)(5) of the INA;
(c) Granted conditional entry under section 203 (a)(7) of the INA;
(d) Granted asylum under section 208 of the INA;
(e) Admitted as an Amerasian Immigrant from Vietnam through the orderly departure program, under section 584 of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, incorporated in the FY88 Continuing Resolution P.L. 100-212;
(f) A Cuban-Haitian entrant who was admitted as a public interest parolee under section 212 (d)(5) of the INA;
(g) Certified as a victim of human trafficking by the federal office of refugee resettlement (ORR);
(h) An eligible family member of a victim of human trafficking certified by ORR who has a T-2, T-3, T-4, or T-5 Visa;
(i) Afghan nationals paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022; or
(i) an individual who was paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2022, and is the spouse or child of an Afghan national as defined in subsection (i) of this section;
(ii) an individual who is the parent or legal guardian of an individual defined in subsection (i) of this section who is determined to be an unaccompanied child;
(j) Admitted as Special Immigrant from Iraq or Afghanistan under section 101 (a)(27) of the INA, or special immigrant conditional permanent resident, or paroled under section 602(B)(1) AAPA/Sec 1059(a) NDAA 2006;
(k) Individuals from Ukraine admitted as humanitarian parolees between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2023, and whose parole has not been terminated by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who:
(i) are citizens or nationals of Ukraine;
(ii) are non-Ukrainian individuals, who were habitually residing in Ukraine, and have documentation confirming last habitual residence in Ukraine;
(iii) are individuals who were first granted humanitarian parole, and then obtained temporary protected status (TPS). They are eligible for refugee cash assistance until the end of their parole term due to underlying receipt of humanitarian parole;
(iv) are children or spouses of someone paroled into the U.S. under subsection (k) of this section and who are paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023; or
(v) is the parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of an individual described in subsection (k) of this section who is determined to be an unaccompanied child.
(2) A permanent resident alien meets the immigration status requirements for RCA if the individual was previously in one of the statuses described in subsections (1)(a) through (k) of this section.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and P.L. 117-128 and Policy Letter 22-13 dated May 26, 2022. WSR 23-02-035, § 388-466-0005, filed 12/29/22, effective 1/29/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. WSR 22-12-038, § 388-466-0005, filed 5/25/22, effective 6/25/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.250, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15. WSR 12-19-037, § 388-466-0005, filed 9/12/12, effective 10/13/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08A.320, 74.08.090, and Public Law 110-161 Section 525; Public Law 110-181 Section 1244; FNS Admin Notice 08-17; State Letter 04-12 from the Office of Refugee Resettlement. WSR 08-14-116, § 388-466-0005, filed 6/30/08, effective 8/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-466-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]


PDF388-466-0120

Refugee cash assistance (RCA).

(1) Who can apply for refugee cash assistance (RCA)?
Anyone can apply to the department of social and health services (DSHS) for refugee cash assistance and have their eligibility determined within 30 days.
(2) How do I know if I qualify for RCA?
You may be eligible for RCA if you meet all of the following conditions:
(a) You have resided in the United States for less than 12 months;
(b) You meet the immigration status requirements of WAC 388-466-0005;
(c) You meet the income and resource requirements under chapters 388-450 and 388-470 WAC;
(d) You meet the work and training requirements of WAC 388-466-0150; and
(e) You provide the name of the voluntary agency (VOLAG) which helped bring you to this country.
(3) What are the other reasons for not being eligible for RCA?
You may not be able to get RCA if you:
(a) Are eligible for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) or supplemental security income (SSI); or
(b) Have been denied TANF due to your refusal to meet TANF eligibility requirements; or
(c) Are employable and have voluntarily quit or refused to accept a bona fide offer of employment within 30 consecutive days immediately prior to your application for RCA; or
(d) Are a full-time student in a college or university.
(4) If I am an asylee, what date will be used as an entry date?
If you are an asylee, your entry date will be the date that your asylum status is granted. For example: You entered the United States on December 1, 1999, as a tourist, then applied for asylum on April 1, 2000, interviewed with the asylum office on July 1, 2000, and were granted asylum on September 1, 2000. Your entry date is September 1, 2000. On September 1, 2000, you may be eligible for refugee cash assistance.
(5) If I am a victim of human trafficking, what kind of documentation do I need to provide to be eligible for RCA?
You are eligible for RCA to the same extent as a refugee if you are:
(a) An adult victim, 18 years of age or older, you provide the original certification letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and you meet eligibility requirements in subsections (2)(c) and (d) of this section. You do not have to provide any other documentation of your immigration status. Your entry date will be the date on your certification letter;
(b) A child victim under the age of 18, in which case you do not need to be certified. DHHS issues a special letter for children. Children also have to meet income eligibility requirement;
(c) A family member of a certified victim of human trafficking, you have a T-2, T-3, T-4, or T-5 Visa (Derivative T-Visas), and you meet the eligibility requirements in subsections (2)(c) and (d) of this section.
(6) Does getting a onetime cash grant from a voluntary agency (VOLAG) affect my eligibility for RCA?
No. In determining your eligibility for RCA DSHS does not count a onetime resettlement cash grant provided to you by your VOLAG.
(7) What is the effective date of my eligibility for RCA?
The date DSHS has sufficient information to make an eligibility decision is the date your RCA begins.
(8) When does my RCA end?
(a) Your RCA ends on the last day of the 12th month starting with the month of your arrival to the United States. Count the 12 months from the first day of the month of your entry into the United States. For example, if you entered the United States on May 28, 2022, May is your first month and April 2023 is your last month of RCA.
(b) If you get a job, your income will affect your RCA based on the TANF rules (chapter 388-450 WAC). If you earn more than is allowed by WAC 388-478-0035, you are no longer eligible for RCA.
(c) You may receive RCA benefits for more months if the federal office of refugee resettlement extends the eligibility period.
(9) Are there other reasons why RCA may end?
Your RCA also ends if:
(a) You move out of Washington state;
(b) Your unearned income or resources go over the maximum limit (WAC 388-466-0140); or
(c) You, without good cause, refuse to meet refugee employment and training requirements (WAC 388-466-0150).
(10) Will my spouse be eligible for RCA, if they arrive in the U.S. after me?
When your spouse arrives in the United States, DSHS determines their eligibility for RCA and other income assistance programs.
(a) Your spouse may be eligible for up to 12 months of RCA based on their date of arrival into the United States.
(b) If you live together, you and your spouse are part of the same assistance unit and your spouse's eligibility for RCA is determined based on you and your spouse's combined income and resources (WAC 388-466-0140).
(11) Can I get additional money in an emergency?
If you have an emergency and need a cash payment to get or keep your housing or utilities, you may apply for the DSHS program called additional requirements for emergent needs (AREN). To receive AREN, you must meet the requirements in WAC 388-436-0002.
(12) What can I do if I disagree with a decision or action that has been taken by DSHS on my case?
If you disagree with a decision or action taken on your case by the department, you have the right to request a review of your case or an administrative hearing (WAC 388-02-0090). Your request must be made within 90 days of the date of the decision or action.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 45 C.F.R. § 400.211 and ORR P.L. 22-12. WSR 23-02-032, § 388-466-0120, filed 12/28/22, effective 1/28/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.250 and 45 C.F.R. § 400.300, 8 U.S.C. § 1522 (e)(1). WSR 20-24-073, § 388-466-0120, filed 11/24/20, effective 12/25/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.250 and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15. WSR 13-03-137, § 388-466-0120, filed 1/23/13, effective 2/23/13; WSR 12-19-037, § 388-466-0120, filed 9/12/12, effective 10/13/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.320, Pub. L. No. 110-181, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Pub. L. No. 111-08, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Division F, Title VI, Section 602; Office of Refugee Resettlement State Letter 09-17 from April 9, 2009; and federal guidance issued on May 15, 2009, by the Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture. WSR 09-21-046, § 388-466-0120, filed 10/14/09, effective 11/4/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08A.320, 74.08.090, and Public Law 110-161 Section 525; Public Law 110-181 Section 1244; FNS Admin Notice 08-17; State Letter 04-12 from the Office of Refugee Resettlement. WSR 08-14-116, § 388-466-0120, filed 6/30/08, effective 8/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.320. WSR 02-04-057, § 388-466-0120, filed 1/30/02, effective 2/1/02.]


PDF388-466-0140

Income and resources for refugee cash assistance eligibility.

(1) How does DSHS count my income and resources when determining my eligibility for refugee cash assistance?
We determine your eligibility for RCA using the TANF rules about income and resources in chapters 388-450 and 388-470 WAC, except we do not count a onetime resettlement cash payment provided to you by your voluntary agency (VOLAG).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.250, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15. WSR 12-19-037, § 388-466-0140, filed 9/12/12, effective 10/13/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.320. WSR 02-04-057, § 388-466-0140, filed 1/30/02, effective 2/1/02.]


PDF388-466-0150

Refugee employment and training services.

(1) What are refugee employment and training services?
Refugee employment and training services provided to eligible refugees may include information and referral, employment oriented case management, job development, job placement, job retention, wage progression, skills training, on-the-job training, counseling and orientation, English as a second language, and vocational English training.
(2) Am I required to participate in refugee employment and training services?
If you are receiving refugee cash assistance (RCA) you are required to participate in refugee employment and training services, unless you are exempt.
(3) How do I know if I am exempt from mandatory employment and training requirements?
You may be exempt from participation in employment and training requirements if you are:
(a) An adult with a severe and chronic disability as defined below:
(i) You have been assessed by a DSHS SSI facilitator as likely to be approved for SSI and are required to apply for SSI. Your SSI application status may be verified through the SSI facilitator or state data exchange; or
(ii) Your disability is a severe and chronic mental, physical, emotional, or cognitive impairment that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months. Your disability must be verified by documentation from a behavioral health organization (BHO), regional service area (RSA), or evidence from another medical or mental health professional; or
(b) Required to be in the home to care for another adult with disabilities when:
(i) The adult with disabilities cannot be left alone for significant periods of time;
(ii) No adult other than yourself is available and able to provide the care;
(iii) The adult with the disability is related to you;
(iv) You are unable to participate in work activities because you are required to be in the home to provide care; and
(v) The disability and your need to care for your disabled adult relative is verified by documentation from the developmental disabilities administration (DDA), division of vocational rehabilitation (DVR), home and community services (HCS), division of behavioral health and recovery (DBHR), a behavioral health organization (BHO), regional service area (RSA), or evidence from another medical or mental health professional.
(c) Sixty years of age or older.
(d) Unable to participate in work activities because you are the victim of family violence.
(4) If I am required to participate, what do I have to do?
You are required to:
(a) Register with your employment service provider;
(b) Accept and participate in all employment opportunities, training, or referrals, determined appropriate by the department.
(5) What happens if I do not follow these requirements?
If you refuse without good reason to cooperate with the requirements, you are subject to the following penalties:
(a) If you are applying for refugee cash assistance, you will be ineligible for 30 days from the date of your refusal to accept work or training opportunity; or
(b) If you are already receiving refugee cash assistance, your cash benefits will be subject to financial penalties.
(c) The department will notify your voluntary agency (VOLAG) if financial penalties take place.
(6) What are the penalties to my grant?
The penalties to your grant are:
(a) If the assistance unit includes other individuals as well as yourself, the cash grant is reduced by the sanctioned refugee's amount for three months after the first occurrence. For the second occurrence, the financial penalty continues for the remainder of the sanctioned refugee's 12-month eligibility period.
(b) If you are the only person in the assistance unit your cash grant is terminated for three months after the first occurrence. For the second occurrence, your grant is terminated for the remainder of your 12-month eligibility period.
(7) How can I avoid the penalties?
You can avoid the penalties, if you accept employment or training before the last day of the month in which your cash grant is closed.
(8) What is considered a good reason for not being able to follow the requirements?
You have a good reason for not following the requirements if it was not possible for you to stay on the job or to follow through on a required activity due to an event outside of your control. See WAC 388-310-1600(3) for examples.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 45 C.F.R. § 400.211 and ORR P.L. 22-12. WSR 23-02-032, § 388-466-0150, filed 12/28/22, effective 1/28/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.08.090. WSR 16-05-034, § 388-466-0150, filed 2/9/16, effective 3/15/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15. WSR 13-18-004, § 388-466-0150, filed 8/22/13, effective 10/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. WSR 00-22-085, § 388-466-0150, filed 10/31/00, effective 12/1/00.]