The Refugee Assistance Program is a federal program which helps persons admitted into the U.S. as refugees to become self-sufficient after their arrival. Temporary RAP cash assistance and medical aid is available to refugees who are not eligible for FIP (TANF) or Medicaid for up to 8 months after their entry into the U.S. employment services, health screenings and foster care services for unaccompanied minors are other DHS services available to refugees.

Eligibility Requirements

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines immigration status. Eligibility for RAP cash assistance and medical aid is available to persons with the following immigration statuses for up to 8 months after their entry into the U.S., if otherwise eligible:

• Refugee or Asylee.
• Cuban/Haitian entrant.
• Amerasian.
• Parolee.
• Victim of trafficking.

Refugee resettlement agencies administer the "refugee matching grant" program, which offers job training and assistance with food, housing, transportation, etc. Refugees who receive Matching Grant benefits are not eligible for RAP cash assistance for the same period.

RAP Residency Requirements

A person must be a Michigan resident and intend to remain in Michigan and not be receiving cash assistance from another state.

Asset Limits

Assets are cash or any other personal or real property you own.

No assets are counted for RAP medical aid.

For RAP cash assistance, the asset limit is $3,000. In general, only cash assets are counted, such as:

• Cash on hand.
• Bank and credit union accounts.
• Investments.
• Retirement plans.
• Trusts.

Assets such as your home, vehicles and personal belongings are not counted.

Countable Income

Most types of earned and unearned income are counted. Any income received from a refugee resettlement agency is not counted

.

Countable income is considered when determining your eligibility for RAP medical aid and RAP cash assistance, and in determining the amount of cash you are eligible to receive. Some examples of countable income are:

• Wages.
• Self-employment earnings.
• Rental income.
• Child support.
• Social Security benefits.
• Veterans benefits.

Only a specialist at DHS can accurately determine your family's eligibility for RAP. Ask for details when turning in a completed application at the DHS County Office in your area.