12/22/2020
Policy Memo
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis and resulting unemployment, the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has approved an extension for the Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) cash eligibility period for customers who previously received an extension or have successfully exited the program and then subsequently either lost employment or sustained a reduction in hours that would requalify them for RRP. This policy does not apply to RRP applications filed on or after 06/01/2020.
RRP customers that were approved on or after 04/01/2019 and have had their case canceled due to receiving 8 months of benefits or due to change of circumstances may reapply and receive additional benefits through 01/31/2021, if determined eligible. These applications should be sent to Special Units at DHS.FCS.VTTC@illinois.gov. RRP customers that became eligible after June 1, 2020 will remain at an 8 month eligibility period.
RRP cash EDG's that closed 09/30/2020 will be reopened and cash supplements will be issued centrally for October, November and December 2020.
A client notice CN 20.33/CN 20.33S (pdf) will be mailed to inform customers of the change in their RRP cash certification period.
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Illinois Department of Human ServicesJB Pritzker, Governor · Dulce M. Quintero, Secretary
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