*** The Health Care Programs Manual (HCPM) has been replaced by the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual (EPM) as of June 1, 2016. Please refer to the EPM for current health care program policy information. ***

Chapter 20 - Income

Effective:  March 1, 2009

20.25.65 - Refugee Resettlement Grants

Archived:  June 1, 2016 (Previous Versions)

Refugee Resettlement Grants

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. Resettlement grants are not the same as Refugee Cash Assistance.

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

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

l  Other refugees receive a monthly cash allowance through the Matching Grant Program. Treat these grants as unearned income.

The head of the household receives the grant check. 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 $1,500 refugee resettlement grant.

Action:

Follow lump sum income policy for MinnesotaCare, and exclude the $1,500 grant for the household.

Example:

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

Action:

Follow lump sum income and deeming policy for MA Method B. Deduct the exclusion for irregular and infrequent income from the grant and count the remaining amount as income in the month received for Nikolai. Deem the amount after the deduction to Jana as income in the month received.  

Count these funds as an asset for both of them if they retain any amount of the grant beyond the month of receipt.

Example:

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

Action:

Rolf is eligible for RMA since the grant is less than the RMA income standard (100% FPG).

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