Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP): Eligibility: Roles and responsibilities

NHQ-International Network Refugee Operations Division (IN-ROD) functional guidance responsibilities

International Network – Resettlement Operations Division is responsible for the following:

• providing coordinated functional guidance and support to the local office supervisors and managers on the delivery of RAP, as required

Resettlement Assistance Program officer (Settlement Network) responsibilities

Local IRCC offices are responsible for the following:

• monitoring that income support for food, shelter and basic allowance,  or  transportation are consistent with the current provincial social assistance (SA) or community transit rates, and reporting provincial social assistance rate and policy changes to NHQ-IN-ROD.
• ensuring that entitlements provided to RAP income support recipients are in accordance with established rates. A RAP rate may only be exceeded
  • on an exceptional case-by-case basis, and
  • where prior authorization from the NHQ-IN-ROD is received
• calculating RAP overpayments and requesting the setup of accounts receivable;
• maintaining case files and making changes to RAP income support, as required, based on a change of client status
• monitoring the delivery of the program to determine the appropriateness of the range, level, and quality of immediate essential services
• monitoring clients to obtain information on the degree of settlement and support they are receiving.
• negotiating and managing contribution agreements with SPOs for the delivery of RAP services.

Client responsibilities

Client Responsibilities include the following:

• repaying all loans
• ensuring income support is used to pay monthly expenses including rent and utilities
• reporting to the IRCC RAP officer any change of status, this can also be done by contacting their nearest Service Provider Organization
• adults are expected to be engaged in activities that will lead to self-sufficiency, e.g.
  • enrolled in programs normally outside of the public school system including language or job training programs or attending a post-secondary institution
  • seeking employment and/or
  • employed
• children are expected to be
  • Enrolled in and attending classes through the education system

If an IRCC officer becomes aware that a client is not actively seeking to become self-sufficient, the client should be strongly encouraged to re-reconnect with their RAP or Settlement SPO worker to receive required supports. This may be particularly important for women with young children, seniors and special needs clients to ensure that they are receiving the appropriate support to facilitate physical, psycho-social and emotional well-being and minimize isolation during their initial resettlement.