MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff of revisions made to the processing of Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA).  Effective 08/15/2015 the Refugee Processing Unit based in the Kansas City Processing Center will receive all applications for refugees and/or asylees, Cuban/Haitian Entrants and Certified Victims of Trafficking whose status has been established eight (8) months ago or less.

• NOTE: Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders are considered refugees for the purpose of Income Maintenance programs.

The Refugee Processing Unit will:

• Complete all household applications (RCA, RMA, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps, and Adult MO HealthNet programs).
• Forward all Family MO HealthNet applications to the Union Processing Center for completion.
• Retain all approved RCA, RMA and connected cases for eight months.

All other processing centers should transfer any active RCA, RMA and connected cases to Jackson County.

This memorandum outlines the following:

• REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AGENCY (RRA) DIRECT APPLICATION PROCESS
• RESOURCE CENTER APPLICATION PROCESS
• FAMILY MO HEALTHNET PROGRAMS APPLICATION PROCESS
• MEDICAL REVIEW TEAM (MRT) PROCESS
• APPLICATIONS WITH U.S. RESIDENCY GREATER THAN EIGHT (8) MONTHS

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AGENCY (RRA) DIRECT APPLICATION PROCESS

When newly arriving Refugees are expected, RRAs will email the following information to FSD.GroupG@dss.mo.gov:

• Names of the persons arriving/applying for benefits;
• Language spoken by the refugee family;
• Date of birth, race and gender of each individual;
• Address (if known);
• Matching grant information (if known and or applicable);
• Preference of contact for applicant interview – Whether the RRA applicant prefers for FSD to initiate contact OR if the RRA applicant prefers to initiate contact with FSD.

The Refugee Processing Unit will respond back to the RRA/applicant within 24 hours to set up the applicant interview. The Refugee Processing Unit will either:

• Provide the RRA applicant a scheduled appointment time and contact phone number, or
• A phone number for the RRA/applicant to call at a time and date of the RRA/applicants choosing.

The Refugee Processing Unit will request all necessary forms and supporting documentation from the RRA/applicant at the time of the interview.

RESOURCE CENTER APPLICATION PROCESS

The applicant may choose, for various reasons, to make application in person. The staff person assisting the client should:

• Determine if the applicant is a refugee who has been in the U.S. for eight (8) months or less, or an asylee, Cuban/Haitian Entrant or Certified Victim of Trafficking whose status has been established for eight (8) months or less.
• Review flow charts to determine what type of application(s) should be completed by the applicant (flow chart link).
  • Forward all applications made by individuals and/or families that meet the above criteria to the Refugee Processing Unit. Scan the completed application packet and supporting documentation to FSD.GroupG@dss.mo.gov or fax to (816-410-8379). The email subject line will have the initial of the first name and last name of the applicant and “in person telephone interview needed.”
  • The Refugee Processing Unit will be responsible for submitting and indexing the application and supporting documentation to the Work Site.
• Contact the Refugee Processing Unit at 816-292-7159 for the applicant’s interview.

Applications must have the following forms completed:

• IM-1
• IM-6AR
• IM-3EBT
• Voter Registration
• IM-3 TA Drug (TANF only)
• Notice regarding lifetime limits (TANF only)
• IM-1SSL (Family MO HealthNet only)

FAMILY MO HEALTHNET PROGRAMS APPLICATION PROCESS

Staff located at the Refugee Processing Unit will complete the interview for the refugee applicant and review all potential programs the household could receive, processing all applications with the exception of Family MO HealthNet applications. For Family MO HealthNet applications, the Refugee Process Unit will:

• send applications to the Refugee work queue located in the Work Site for assignment
• notify the Union Processing Center at FSD.REFUGEEFAMMED@DSS.MO.GOV of the application located in the Work Site. This step assures the Union office is able to track receipt and processing progress of applications submitted as Refugee program applications.

To assure Family MO HealthNet applications are appropriately identified for possible Refugee assistance, FSD shall educate Refugee Resettlement Agencies and refugee advocate agencies to:

• Write “REFUGEE PROGRAM” at the top of all IM-1SSL forms which agencies distribute to their clientele.
• For Family MO HealthNet applications made on the single streamlined application (IM-1SSL) either:
  • Forward to the Union Processing Center at P.O. Box 1010, Union, MO 63084, or
  • Scan and email IM-1SSL applications to FSD.REFUGEEFAMMED@DSS.MO.GOV.
• For on-line applications made at www.mydss.mo.gov :
  • Notify the Union Processing Center by emailing to FSD.REFUGEEFAMMED@DSS.MO.GOV that an application was submitted.
  • “Refugee Program” should be entered on the subject line.
  • The email should also contain the applicant’s name, date of birth, gender, and if available the Application Reference Identification number.

MEDICAL REVIEW TEAM (MRT) PROCESS

The Refugee Processing Unit will retain and process the applications requiring a MRT review until a MRT determination is received.

APPLICATIONS WITH U.S. RESIDENCY GREATER THAN EIGHT (8) MONTHS

Refugees who have been in the U.S. for more than eight (8) months, or an asylee, Cuban/Haitian Entrant or Certified Victim of Trafficking whose status has been established for more than eight (8) months do not have a five year period of ineligibility.  Their applications will be processed in the same manner as the applications for citizens and other qualified immigrants.

NOTE: Refugees, asylees, and certain parolees may receive their Lawful Permanent Resident cards before they have been lawfully present for five (5) years.  These individuals continue to remain eligible without the five period of ineligibility.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Transfer any active RCA, RMA and connected cases to Jackson County.

ATTACHMENTS:

• Refugee Application Flow Chart
• Refugee Resettlement Program-Refugee Categories
• Refugee Resettlement Program-Immigrant Documents and Eligibility

JG/mks