Refugee Medical Assistance

Updated: September 29, 2022

Purpose: 

This section describes program rules for the refugee medical program. 

WAC 182-507-0130 Refugee medical assistance (RMA). 

WAC 182-507-0135 Immigration status requirements for refugee medical assistance. 

  • Clarifying Information

Clarifying Information

  1. Recipients of RCA are eligible for RMA if they are ineligible for Apple Health (Medicaid). A person who is eligible for RCA may choose not to receive cash assistance and still receive RMA.
  2. RMA eligibility is established on the basis of an applicant's income and resources on the date of the application, rather than averaging income over the application processing period.
  3. A student enrolled in an institution of higher education and carrying a full-time academic workload is considered a full-time student. A full time student is eligible for RMA only if educational activity is a part of their personal employment plan. 
  4. RCA clients continue to be eligible for RMA until the end of their twelve month eligibility limit if they become ineligible for RCA due to the receipt of earned income, unearned income, or resources.
  5. An applicant who is not eligible for RCA because of income may be eligible for RMA. Applicants must meet monthly income standards up to 200% of FPL (see STANDARDS, WAC 182-519-0050 ).
  6. Recipients of ongoing cash assistance from the Matching Grant Program may be eligible for RMA if they meet all other program requirements.  For more information about the Matching Grant Program for refugees, see WAC 388-466-0120, Clarifying Information #4.

Individuals from Iraq or Afghanistan who were granted Special Immigrant status under section 101 (a)(27) of the INA, their spouses and unmarried children under 21 are qualified aliens and are eligible for federally funded benefits to the same extend and for the same time period as refugees. Their eligibility period starts from the date of entry into the United States or date of entry into the community if they departed from a military base. 

For more information on documentation, Immigration Status codes, benefit eligibility and step-by-step process, please see desk aid Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants Benefits.

Additionally, Afghan nationals and their spouses and children, paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023, are eligible for RCA and RMA to the same extent as refugees.  So are their spouses and children paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2022, as are the parent or legal guardian of an Afghan humanitarian parolee who was paroled within the time period described above who is determined to be an unaccompanied child.

Ukrainian nationals and their spouses and children, paroled into the U.S. between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2023, are eligible for RCA and RMA to the same extent as refugees.  So are their spouses and children paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023, as are the parent or legal guardian or primary caregiver of a Ukrainian humanitarian parolee who was paroled within the time period described above who is determined to be an unaccompanied child.