06/11/2025
Policy Memo
Summary:
- Per Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) guidance issued 03/21/2025, the eligibility period for the federal Refugee Resettlement Program, which includes Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, is shortened from 12 months to 4 months beginning 05/05/2025.
- An individual whose date of eligibility for Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance is on or between 10/01/2021 and 05/04/2025, is eligible to receive the 12-month eligibility period.
- An individual whose date of eligibility for Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance on or after 05/05/2025, is subject to the change and is eligible to receive the 4-month eligibility period.
- The begin date of the eligibility period for individuals eligible for Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance is determined by the type of status issued by USCIS.
- Individuals who receive Refugee Cash Assistance are required to cooperate with TANF Activity requirements, including the RSP process.
- Changes will be implemented in IES to reflect the 4-month eligibility period for the Refugee Assistance programs at a later date.
- A temporary operating procedure will be published to the OneNet and implemented in IES to ensure proper processing until the changes are implemented.
In accordance with ORR regulations, the Director of ORR has shortened the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) eligibility period from 12 months to 4 months beginning with those whose eligibility is issued on or after 05/05/2025.
The eligibility begin date for refugees is determined by USCIS at the time the status is issued and must be verified by the VLP clearance or using SAVE.
Refugee Cash Assistance
Refugee Cash Assistance for single adults does not have a 30-day wait from date of application to begin benefits. A Refugee family who qualifies for TANF benefits under the federal refugee program will be covered under the TANF program in IES and the TANF EDG will include the 30-day wait. Individuals who qualify for other federal cash benefits are ineligible for Refugee Cash Assistance. See PM 06-01-00 - Refugee Resettlement Program (Cash).
Activity Requirements
As a condition of eligibility for Refugee Cash Assistance, an individual is required to participate in Work and Training Activities unless they qualify for an exemption. See PM 03-13-02: Exempt Person - Activity Compliance Requirement for guidance on exempt individuals. Individuals receiving RCA are required to participate in the development of each Responsibility and Services plan. See PM 02-09-00: Responsibility and Services Plan - TANF and PM 02-09-05-a-4 - RSP - Refugees for further details.
In addition, any individual who may be eligible to receive a Social Security number should be directed to apply with the Social Security Administration.
Refugee Medical Assistance
Currently, IES does not include the Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) program. Changes are being implemented in IES and the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) to allow for RMA.
Individuals eligible to receive RMA should continue to be processed for eligibility under regular Medicaid programs.
Examples
Scenario #1
HH Comp: 1 Adult
Programs: All
USCIS Status: Refugee
USCIS Status Date: 04/15/2025
Application Date: 05/07/2025
Expected Outcome:
USCIS status date is prior to 05/05/2025, individual would be eligible for 12 months of RCA/RMA from date of USCIS status.
Scenario #2
HH Comp: 1 Adult
Programs: All
USCIS Status: Refugee
USCIS Status Date: 05/05/2025
Application Date: 05/15/2025
Expected Outcome:
USCIS status date is on 05/05/2025, the individual would be eligible for 4 months of RCA/RMA from date of USCIS status.
Scenario #3
HH Comp: 1 Adult
Programs: All
USCIS Status: Asylee
USCIS Status Date: 05/04/2025
Application Date: 07/05/2025
Expected Outcome:
USCIS status date is prior to 05/05/2025, individual would be eligible for 12 months of RCA/RMA from date of USCIS status.
IES
IES enhancements will be completed at a later day to reflect the 4-month eligibility period. Until the changes are implemented in IES, a temporary operating procedure will be added to IES to assist staff with the entry of the Non-Citizen - Details page.
[signed copy on file]
Dulce M. Quintero
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Elizabeth Whitehorn
Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
