Mohammad Maroof

Fawzia Maroof

Sabiha Khan, Refugees International

Rachael Kusak, CRIS

Emily Plummer, IRC

Sara Pascal, CWS-Greensboro

Prajan Marhatta, NC African Service Coalition

Colleen Tighe, USCCB

Daniela Bushiri

Ben Levey, HIAS

Mohammad Maroof and Fawzia Maroof from CCC

Peyton Ruble, RefugeeOne

Isoken Aiwerioba, World Relief

Abby Bruell, USCRI-Cleveland

Rachel Landry, IRC

Farida El Hefni, IRAP

Kathy Doyle Worl Relief

Hello from Elizabeth Capatides from Lutheran Services Florida in Tampa

Eden Siskind, HIAS

Barb Galli, World Relief

hello! Adrienne, from IRC in Seattle

Hello from Amina Abdullahi from Catholic Community Services

Welcome everyone - thank you for joining us! If you haven't already, please introduce yourself using the participant tool or the chat function. We also encourage you to ask questions using the chat function - we'll be monitoring them throughout the call and will answer them as quickly and comprehensively as possible.

From our moderator Jen Smyers of CWS: "Welcome everyone - thank you for joining us! If you haven't already, please introduce yourself using the participant tool or the chat function. We also encourage you to ask questions using the chat function - we'll be monitoring them throughout the call and will answer them as quickly and comprehensively as possible."

Hello from Nancy Goodwin, World Relief Spokane

Jonathan Fein, IRC

Rett Janzen, World Relief DuPage/Aurora

Liza Khalil, World Relief

Will we be getting these slides?

Asefeh Mazraeh, IRC

Beth Carney Catholic Charities Indianapolis

Sean Hardiman, Kentucky Refugee Ministries

Abby Vogt, Catholic Charities Atlanta

Yes, we will be sending these slides out as well as a recording of this webinar

Ben Levey - to your question, since the PD is so low (18k), if resettlement resumes in May, it will still be possible to meet the PD as long as PRM makes the needed changes to the allocations categories, which we are encouraging them to do. (for instance, they will not be able to admit the 4,000 slots allocated for Iraqi P2s or the 1,500 slots allocated for the Northern Triangle, so they will have to allow other populations to use these slots). But there are certainly enough refugees in the pipeline to meet that number. Ofcourse, if resettlement continues to be suspended for more time, that will become more difficult.

Ayesha Hassan - to your question, yes, you can share the materials and recording with others who are not on / did not RSVP, but please do not post it on social media or any publicly accessible websites.

Monica Harris, here's the IRS residency page: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/substantial-presence-test

Salemu Alimasi - to your question, no, the stimulus money will not have to be paid back.

Would it be worth helping clients fill out the non filers form for asylees/refugees who arrived/were granted status in 2019 and 2020?

Clare Orie - to your question, you must either file 2019 or 2018 taxes or the non-filer form in order to get the cash payment. Or you can file 2020 taxes in order to receive the cash payment later in 2021. However, right now the IRS non-filer form says it should only be used by US citizens or greencard holders. We do not think that should be the case and so are seeking clarity on that, but for now you should have them file 2019 taxes, even if they are not usually required to.

i Carey - for children born after a family's most recent tax filing, you're correct that you would receive an additional $500/tax credit when you file your 2020 tax return next year. Also, in general people should file their 2019 tax return ASAP (whether they had a baby in 2019 or not) so that their cash payment isn't held up - but we don't know if we've already passed the date by which the IRS will consider a 2019 return versus a 2018 return. Once they've received their stimulus check, to receive the add'l $500 for a baby born more recently, then yes you would claim the credit on your 2020 filing.

Rachael Kusak - yes - although right now the IRS says that the non-filer form is just to be used by US citizens or greencard holders. We are challenging this because it does not seem right, but for not it would be most helpful for you to help clients who are not yet USCs or LPRs file their 2019 taxes, even if they usually would not.

Nizar Rasho - yes SIVs can file the non-filer form

Marguerite Guter - just count the 183 days to include all days someone has been present in 2020 and 2019, total - don't worry about the 1/3 and 1/6 language.

Clients who are dependents on another tax return do not receive the cash payment/rebate/stimulus check.

Katie Weber - yes, if they have a greencard, then they can receive the payment but they must file their 2019 taxes or the non-filer form.

filing for 2019 was extended thru July 15,2020

ANthony Nnaji - yes - we will be sending the recording, powerpoint, and all resources to those who RSVPd

Clement Kigugu - yes - if she is a permanent resident then she can qualify, but must file 2019 taxes or the non-filer form

Clement Kigugu - to give the IRS your information, you must file 2019 taxes or the non-filer form

So is the best guidance to have refugees who do not have their green cards, but arrived June 2019 or later and who have worked, file their 2019 tax returns to see if they can get the stimulus money?

Here's more information on the non-filer form including a direct link to the form: https://bit.ly/COVIDNonFiler

Sorry, I meant June 2019 or earlier

Tanja Pauler - an SIV with a greencard can use the non-filer form

Nizar Rasho - yes - SIVS who have LPR can fill out the non-filer form.

Nesar Anwari - yes - SIVS who have LPR can receive the payment - they should fill out the non-filer form.

Salemu - in terms of helping clients, if they have LPR status or are US citizens, they can use the non-filer form as long as the otherwise qualify based on their income. Another option is to help clients file their 2019 taxes

Adrienne Ramm-Granberg - we are still trying to find out if individuals who qualify under the IRS residency requirement may be able to utilize the non-filer form. For now, those individuals should file their 2019 taxes even if they otherwise might not.

Hamid Ghomi - yes, SIVs who have LPR status can use the non-filer form

Would any newly arrived refugees who never worked and now can't work because it's difficult to find a job due to COVID, qualify for PUA?

Casey Leyva - the CARES Act doesn't waive the work history requirements, but it provides two new programs for people regardless of work history:Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: Those NOT eligible for UI who were unemployed, unable to work, or partially unemployed as a result of COVID-19, or provided care for someone in their household directly affected by COVID-19 may be eligible for 39 weeks of their state’s average UI (about $190 per week) (Jan 27 - Dec 31, 2020)Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation: Individuals receiving UI, PUA, or PEUC can receive an additional $600 per week from March 27 - July 31. These payments are NOT income for purposes of eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP.

Leslie Aizenman - you should first apply through your state's unemployment insurance programs, There may be a way to apply for PUA separately but that is not out yet.

Becky Burnside - yes

Alexandra Arshavsky - it's likely that that's happening because they are ineligible for state UI because of work history requirements. We understand that state UI offices *should* be automatically considering the client's information for PUA & PUC in that case. However, the PUA program is still being set up so they won't be able to receive more information until that happens. I would recommend they try to call the state UI office, and otherwise if they can't get through wait until the state sets up the PUA program.

Rebecca Evans - follow your state's guidance

Lizzie Biddle - for unemployment benefits you just need work authorization (whether you have a SSN/ITIN) during the base period, time of application, and duration of receiving benefits.

Sharon - in terms of your DC question - it all applies to DC as well. I have Meredith working on your asylum questions

Correction - all federal student loans payments ARE postponed (not may be)

Sharifa Khaliqyar - the 19 year old who already filed their 2019 tax return as an individual filer should be eligible to receive a cash payment IF they otherwise meet the eligibility criteria. Even though some families have received their cash payments, not everyone has yet.

They have all been placed in forbearance

Salemu Alimasi - please contact COVID19@rcusa.org with more questions

Sharon Stanley-Rea - asylum seekers could receive UI if they had work authorization when they worked, when they apply for benefits, and while they receive benefits. Asylum seekers w/ a SSN who file taxes/count as non-filers might be able to receive the cash payment too.

That's fine with me, I can also make my slides super quick

Emily Plummer - yes - if they have work authorization and either had a job offer or were looking for a job and couldn't get one b/c of COVID-19, they could apply for PUA. Please note that individuals need to have an attachment to the workforce, so there will need to be some kind of proof that they were looking for work or had a job offer that was rescinded or something like that.

Katy Fohrman - thank you for flagging that issue! Please send a note to COVID19@rcusa.org to speak further about clients who may be impacted by this.

Jennifer Quigley - federally guaranteed loans held by private lenders and federal Perkins loans are not covered

Salemu Alimasi - to receive unemployment benefits (whether it's state UI/PEUC or PUA), you need to have some kind of attachment to the workforce. So if you haven't worked but were planning on returning to work - and couldn't b/c of COVID19 - then you could receive PUA - but you need to demonstrate that you either had an offer that was rescinded or you were actively looking for a job - or something like that

Janet Lopez - people with SSN's and either filed or count as non-filers (whether that's CHEP folks or others) may be able to receive the cash payment

Nejra Sumic - I presume this is because the state UI offices haven't set up PEUC/PUA/PUC yet, which is frustrating many individuals. I would recommend they contact their state UI office to talk through the extension by 13 weeks of PEUC - and otherwise, wait until states get that set up.

The slide on students is misleading and need clarification.

Tanja Pauler - it is possible that a recent arrival could qualify for PUA/PUC benefits if they were looking for a job or had some kind of attachment to the workforce (e.g., a job offer that was rescinded), including those who never worked in the U.S. I think it would be important for that individual to indicate how they were unemployed directly b/c of COVID-19.

*student loans"

Hilary Lucas - anyone who receives state UI, PEUC, or PUA will receive PUC ($600/week)

Regarding the healthcare request -- are these paid positions? Is there a pathway to re-credentialing services or job placement following the response?

Leslie Aizenman - I think any assistance we can provide to clients on how to file taxes is helpful. TurboTax has other free tools, as well, if people are willing to sign up for an account, to help folks navigate taxes during this time.

Perkins loans are covered

Ginger Anderson - the WIC funds are going to the states to help more people receive WIC benefits

For SNAP, it should be easier/faster to receive SNAP (though SNAP benefits themselves weren't expanded)

Leslie Aizenman - yes

Tanja Pauler - the UI expansions are not counted as income for CHIP or Medicaid, but they ARE counted as income for SNAP - although we are seeking further guidance on that. We are also seeking guidance to see if they count as income in terms of Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, which as of now is unclear.

JQ - thanks for flagging! For folks, Perkins loans are federal loans that are deferred with no interest - https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus

Chris Williams - no - refugees who arrived before October 1, 2019 should have met the residency requirements by the time this legislation passed, which was March 27th. For those who arrived after October 1, 2019, they may still be able to get the payment when they file 2020 taxes at a later date - we are still seeking guidance on that.

Janet Lopez - the residency requirement is 183 days in the United States. So anyone who arrived in the US after October 1, 2019 will have met that requirement by March 27th, which is when the legislation passed.

But even though who had not met the residency requirement by the time the bill passed, they may be able to file their taxes in 2020 and get the payment then.

Clare Orie - No, it's not 183 days in 2019the time in 2020 counts as well

Marguerite Guter - Pat explained that the 1/3 and 1/6 only count for people who were admitted to the US prior to the previous year. Someone who has been in the US for a total of 183 since they arrived will meet the residency requirement.

Casey Leyva - I understand this will be flexibly applied so arriving refugees who are trying to work would likely receive the benefits. I think it would be *harder* if you were a student for the last few years and had planned on starting work soon and can't (and don't have a rescinded job offer or something like that), or if you were a stay-at-home-parent who had considered reentering the workforce.

right - they wouldn't have met the residency requirement in 2019 in order to have to file taxes in 2019 - but they WOULD meet the residency requirement in 2020 for the cash payment.