03/15/2023
Policy Memo
Summary:
- In accordance with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) regulations, the Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) cash and medical assistance eligibility period will be expanded from 8 months to 12 months of assistance for participants whose date of eligibility for benefits is on or after October 1, 2021.
- A data fix was completed to the Integrated Eligibility System (IES) to have eligibility extended from 8 month to 12 months.
- RRP cash and medical cases that have a United States (U.S.) date of entry October 1,2021 or later had their eligibility periods extended from 8 months to 12 months in IES.
- RRP medical cases will be redetermined at the end of the certification period.
- RRP cash and medical cases that were approved because of a special parole status will not have the eligibility period changed to 12-months.
- IES will be enhanced in the future to reflect the 12-month eligibility period for RRP cash and medical assistance.
In accordance with federal regulations, the Director of ORR has announced the expansion of the RRP cash and medical assistance eligibility period from 8 months to 12 months for RRP customers whose date of eligibility for benefits is on or after October 1, 2021. For 30 years, ORR has not increased the RRP eligibility period, extending the RRP eligibility period will lead to more effective resettlement by providing the refugee population with additional time to become self-sufficient.
RRP Medical
RRP medical cases will be redetermined at the end of the certification period.
RRP Special Parole
RRP cash and medical cases that were approved because of a special parole status will not have the eligibility period changed to 12-months.
Example: An Afghan Parolee who has been paroled into the U.S. between 07/31/2021 and 09/30/2022 and had a foreign passport with DHS/CBP admission stamp noting "OAW" will not have the eligibility period changed to 12-months. The eligibility period for special parolees will be designated on the documents provided.
IES
A data fix was completed in the Integrated Eligibility System (IES) to have eligibility extended from 8 months to 12 months. RRP cash and medical cases that have a United States (U.S.) date of entry October 1,2021 or later had their eligibility periods extended from 8 months to 12 months in IES. This included reopening qualified RRP and RRP/TANF EDGs that were closed after receiving 8-months of RRP eligibility.
IES will be enhanced in the future to give a 12-month eligibility period to individuals who receive RRP cash and medical assistance.
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Theresa Eagleson
Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
