CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

Eligibility Worker should ask for verification of
any resources owned by the applicant in the
country of origin. If the applicant does not have
verification, the applicant should complete a PA
853, Affidavit, documenting the type of
resources in the country of origin.
See CW 42-207 Property for more information.
How is reception and placement cash for
RCA treated that is provided to refugees
after their arrival into the United States
(U.S.)?
All reception and placement cash provided by
Voluntary Agencies to refugees is not counted
as income in determining the applicant’s/
participant’s eligibility for Refugee Cash
Assistance (RCA) benefits. Voluntary Agencies
provide reception and placement cash to
refugees within their first 90 days in the U.S.
Example:
A refugee applies for RCA within
his/her first month of being granted
asylum. Also, during the first month
the refugee receives $100 reception
and placement cash. In the second
month, he/she receives $150 and in
the third month receives $125
reception and placement cash.
Provided the refugee participates in
an employment training program,
he/she is eligible to receive 8 full
months of RCA. The total $375
cash received over the initial threemonth
period is exempt and not
counted against the RCA grant.
Although reception and placement
cash received by refugees is
entered into LEADER, the Eligibility
Worker must ensure that the cash is
exempt when determining eligibility
for RCA.
See CW Income – VOLAGS (Voluntary
Agencies) for LEADER information.
Note: Reception and placement cash is not
exempt under the CalWORKs program
and is treated as property under the
nonrecurring lump sum payment rules.