Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024
(a)
Applicant eligibility. The
Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR) or
contracted agency staff determines the repatriated individual's eligibility for
the Repatriation Program (RP). To determine RP eligibility, it is necessary to
assess the repatriate's available resources and to identify the services or
assistance the repatriate receives or is able to receive.
(1) Temporary assistance is not an
entitlement.
(2) The RP is
voluntary and the repatriate may refuse to accept services.
(3) The repatriate may be eligible for
temporary assistance for up to 90-calendar days from the date the repatriate
re-enters the United States (U.S.). The temporary assistance is considered a
loan and the repatriate must sign a repayment agreement before receiving the
assistance.
(4) Minors and adults
found not competent to make decisions are not obligated to sign a repayment
agreement.
(5) The repatriate is
not eligible for repatriation assistance when he or she has access to necessary
services or assistance through alternative resources.
(6) Certain temporary assistance may be
furnished after the 90-calendar day period ends when the:
(A) repatriate submits an extension request
with supporting documentation included prior to the end of the 90-calendar day
eligibility period; and
(B) OHSEPR
finds that the circumstances involved necessitate or justify furnishing such
assistance beyond the 90-calendar day limit.
(7) The repatriate must notify the
repatriation coordinator of address changes during the time period the
repatriation case is open. The repatriate is expected to continue to notify
OHSEPR of address changes after case closure until the repatriation loan is
paid in full.
(8) The repatriate's
case may be closed before the 90-calendar day period expires when the:
(A) repatriate's case contains an
unaccompanied child and the child enters foster care upon arrival in the U.S.
or is released to a parent or relative not requesting services;
(B) repatriate becomes self-sufficient and
has access to necessary benefits, housing, and other services and no longer
needs the temporary assistance;
(C)
OHSEPR discovers the repatriate has access to other income sources;
(D) repatriate dies upon arrival in the U.S.;
or
(E) repatriate, who was
destitute or without available resources in the foreign country, is able to
regain access to financial resources such as Social Security or Supplemental
Security Income benefits or is staying in a hospital or nursing facility.
(b)
Referral information packet. OHSEPR emails a referral information
packet to the Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS), Adult and Family Services (AFS)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Unit for processing. The
referral information packet contains documents for the repatriate and OKDHS.
Items in the packet include:
(1) a welcome
letter that informs the repatriate:
(A) any
funds issued are considered a loan that must be repaid by the repatriate;
(B) upon request, OKDHS or other
appropriate agency staff explains the documents included in the welcome packet;
(C) OKDHS or other appropriate
agency staff refers the repatriate for services available within the community
or gives the repatriate information about available services; and
(D) when needed and requested, the
repatriation coordinator coordinates other service requests for the repatriate;
(2) a welcome letter for
the State;
(3) the repatriate's
rights and obligations;
(4) a
repatriation brochure;
(5)
documents requiring the repatriate's signature prior to funds being
issued;
(6) an International Social
Services-USA contact list;
(7)
assessment information regarding the repatriate and his or her service needs;
and
(8) procedural information and
sample letters for OKDHS staff.
(c)
OKDHS responsibilities regarding
the RP. Upon receipt of the referral information packet, the
repatriation coordinator in the OKDHS AFS TANF Unit is responsible for:
(1) confirming the repatriate's arrival date
and time and arranging for OKDHS or other appropriate agency staff to meet the
repatriate at the airport;
(2)
being the contact person for the repatriate and OHSEPR or its contracted agency
staff;
(3) coordinating services
for the repatriate during the 90-calendar day temporary assistance period;
(4) coordinating form and document
completion necessary to issue funds and receive reimbursement from the OHSEPR
or its contracted agency;
(5)
monitoring the repatriate's case at different intervals to ensure the
repatriate continues to meet eligibility requirements and determine if further
assistance is needed;
(6) providing
periodic updates regarding the repatriate to OHSEPR or its contracted agency
staff;
(7) submitting extension
requests as quickly as possible;
(8) maintaining all records concerning the
repatriate for at least three years from the date the final expenditure report
is submitted; and
(9) upon case
closure, completing a survey and submitting a closing summary to OHSEPR that
includes information about the funds expended and services provided to the
repatriate and the repatriate's current address.
Added at 30 Ok Reg 1357, eff
7-1-13