Refugee Resettlement Grants (Archive)

The refugee resettlement program coordinates services to assist refugees who are making the transition to life in the United States. These services include resettlement and placement, cash and medical assistance, and employment and social services.

Some refugees receive income in the form of a resettlement grant.

l  Grants received from the refugee resettlement program are not considered sponsor income. These grants are treated as lump sum income for all health care programs.

l  Other refugees receive a monthly cash allowance through the Matching Grant Program . These grants should be treated as unearned income.

The grant check is received by the head of the household. Follow the appropriate guidelines for each health care program when determining how to count the income for each household or enrollee. See Deeming Income and Assets for further information.

Example:

Faduma and her two children are enrolled in MinnesotaCare. She receives a $1500 refugee resettlement grant.

Action:

Follow lump sum income policy for MinnesotaCare, and exclude the $1500 grant for the household.

Example:

Nikolai and his wife Jana (both age 73) are enrolled in Medical Assistance (MA). Nikolai receives a $1000 refugee resettlement grant.

Action:

Follow lump sum income and deeming policy for MA. Count the $1000 as income in the month received for Nikolai, and deem the $1000 as income in the month received to Jana. If they retain any amount of the grant beyond the month of receipt, the full amount is counted as an asset for both of them.

Example:

Rolf, age 22, applied for Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) on December 2. On December 15, Rolf receives a $500 refugee resettlement grant.

Action:

Since the grant is under the RMA income standard (100% FPG), Rolf is eligible for RMA.

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