Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) / Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA) (2024)

The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) Program is forneedy Refugees or Cuban/Haitian Entrants that are not otherwise eligible to the CalWORKs program because they do not have children or are ineligible for other reasons.The RCA program includes employment and supportive services.

What is the process?

Apply for RCA

Applications for RCA must be made in person at any social service office. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of all income and property as well as refugee status. The presence of children, their age and number of hours worked are not requirements for this program. If an applicant has a sponsor, they must provide this person’s information.

Interview for RCA

All applicants are required to have a face-to-face interview prior to approval of their RCA application. At this interview, an applicant’s case manager will assess what exact verifications they will need to approve the case and will inform the applicant of these necessary verifications in written documentation with a due date.

Notification of RCA

If an applicant provides all needed verifications and meets the eligibility qualifications, they will be approved for a monthly cash aid amount for up to eight months from the date they entered the United States. If the applicant does not submit required verifications or meet the eligibility qualifications, their case will be denied. Applicants who have been denied can re-apply at any time.

Who is eligible?

This service is only available forRefugees or Cuban/Haitian Entrants that are not otherwise eligible to the CalWORKs program.

When and where is this service offered?

A person can walk into the Social Service's office nearest them to apply. Offices are open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (except county-observed holidays).

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

Monday - Friday 8-4; 4-5 by appt only

1086 East Grand Avenue
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Tel: (805) 474-2000

FAQS

The RCA and ECA programs are limited to eight (8) months from the date you entered the United States.

To be eligible for benefits, refugee families and adult refugees without children must fit into at least one of the following categories:

Individuals and couples with no minor children.
Families that are not CalWORKs eligible (You should be screened for CalWORKs first)
Trafficking victims
Persons granted asylum

Applicants for RCA must provide documentation of refugee status from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration (BCIS). The Resettlement Agency and/or your sponsor must also be contacted prior to issuing aid to determine what assistance is being provided.

Unless you meet an exemption or already employed, you are required to participate in an employment program. The employment program may include, but not be limited to English language instruction, on-the-job training or job readiness activities. Supportive services may include but not be limited to childcare, citizenship and employment authorization document assistance, and transportation.

On August 1, 2000, fingerprinting and photo imaging became a requirement for adults applying for cash assistance. To receive benefits, applicants must agree to have their fingerprints and photo images compared with the images of other welfare recipients in the Statewide Fingerprint Imaging System (SFIS) database. This is a statewide eligibility requirement that is meant to prevent fraud by not paying cash aid for the same person in more than one case.

CalWORKs benefits are provided to an eligible person through one of the two following options:

You can opt to have them deposited into your checking or savings account through direct deposit; or
You can select to have them issued onto an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be accessed through ATM and POS machines throughout the County.

Your worker will tell you exactly what documents you will need to provide in order to be approved for CalWORKs. The following list contains examples of the types of documents you may need to provide:

Proof of Age

Birth Certificates
Naturalization Certificate
Immigration Card

Proof of Residence

Rent Receipt

Proof of Citizenship, Noncitizen Status or Immigrant Status

Birth Certificate
Alien Registration Card

Social Security Number

Social Security Card(s)
Proof of Application for Social Security Card (For each person you’re applying for).
Proof of Immunizations for Children Under the Age of Six
Immunization (Shots) Record

Proof of Income

Pay Stubs
Award Letter
Papers that show where the money came from
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Award Letter
Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB) Approval or Denial Letter

Proof Expenses

Utility bills
Rent receipts

Proof of Property

Bank statements
Car registrations
Papers that show value of property