Okla. Admin. Code § 340:61-1-3

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 340:61-1-3 - Program eligibility and responsibilities

(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.

Okla. Admin. Code § 340:61-1-3

Added at 30 Ok Reg 1357, eff 7-1-13

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/15/2022