Eligibility Factors for Refugee Households 400-19-45-105

(Revised 8/1/11 ML #3272)

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Currently, Lutheran Social Services (LSS) provides services to all Refugees during the first eight (8) months they reside in the United States, and may refer the family to TANF after the eight (8) month period. As a result of a change in Federal Law, Refugees who arrive on or after October 1, 2010, will no longer receive Refugee Cash Assistance from LSS during the first eight (8) months they reside in the this country if the household meets the eligibility criteria for TANF. However, Refugee’s eligible for TANF will receive the Reception and Placement assistance and some case management services from LSS during this period.

Note: Lutheran Social Services will continue to provide cash assistance, case management and employment services for individuals that are not TANF eligible.

 

LSS will provide Reception and Placement Program services to individuals eligible for TANF for 90 days from the date of entry. After the 90 days, LSS will continue to provide limited case management services. Case management services will be provided by the JOBS Employment Contractors, as is done with all JOBS participants.

 

All factors of eligibility for TANF apply to Refugee Households.

 

LSS will provide a payment to TANF eligible Refugees, in an amount equal to the difference between the TANF benefit and the Refugee Cash Assistance Benefit. These benefits will be paid directly to the landlord as a Vendor Payment and therefore are not countable for TANF.

Note: Since these payments are paid directly to the landlord for rental expenses, households will be considered as receiving a housing subsidy and will not be eligible for the $50 housing allowance.

 

The unrestricted money payment is the basic method for providing assistance to eligible households. However, the individual must have a Social Security Number (SSN) in order to issue the TANF benefit through use of the electronic funds transfer. For households where the Primary Individual (PI) does not have an SSN, payment of the TANF benefits must be issued through the Protective Payee method until the PI receives their SSN.

Once the SSN is received, enter the SSN and remove the Protective Payee data. That information will then be sent to US Bank who will set up an account and issue the household a TANF ReliaCard.