Refugee and Entrant Assistance_State Administered Programs
State agencies may purchase training and services from other providers.
Refugees in the U.S.
may be assisted regardless of national origin.
- Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Voluntary Agency Programs
- Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Discretionary Grants
- Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Wilson/Fish Program
- Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Targeted Assistance Grants
Examples of Funded Projects
(1) Cash assistance for up to 8 months, (2) case management, (3) employment services, and (4) English language training concurrent with employment services.
The Department of Health and Human Services is the Federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves.
Program Accomplishments
In FY 07, 48 grants were awarded. It is anticipated that 46 grants will be awarded in FY 08 and FY 09.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance is limited to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, certain Amerasians from Viet Nam, and victims of a severe form of trafficking as defined in the authorizing Acts, supplemented by appropriate documentation provided to the refugee from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), formerly Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS).
Federal policy governs other eligibility factors.
The scope of services for which funds are available to State and local welfare and health agencies for assistance on behalf of eligible refugees is similar to that in regular domestic public assistance programs.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The agency designated by the State as responsible for the Refugee Resettlement Program is eligible to receive awards for providing cash and medical assistance and social services to eligible refugees.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Refugees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, Amerasian immigrants from Viet Nam, asylees, certified victims of a severe form of trafficking, and Iraqi/Afghan SIVs.
Credentials/Documentation
Persons for whom assistance is authorized are limited to refugees with documentation from the USCIS as to refugee status, to certain Amerasian immigrants and their accompanying family members, to Cuban and Haitian entrants who meet definitions under Title V of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, asylees, and victims of a severe form of trafficking who have received a certification or eligibility letter from ORR.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Upon submittal of approved State plans and annual State estimates, agencies are eligible for Federal funds to be expended on behalf of refugees. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedures
Grants are made to designated State agencies. State agencies submit expenditure and program performance reports three times each year.
Deadlines
Deadlines are set in accordance with 45 CFR Part 400 and other instructions to States.
Authorization
Refugee Act of 1980, Section 412, 94 Stat. 111, 8 U.S.C. 1522, as amended, Public Laws 96-212, 97-363 and 99-605; Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, Title V, 94 Stat. 1809, 8 U.S.C. 1522 note, as amended, Public Laws 96-422, 96-424, 97-35, 100-436, 101-166, 101-302, 101-517, 102-170, 110-161, and 110-181.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Annual.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The program provides, to the extent of available appropriations, cash and medical assistance and social services to or on behalf of eligible refugees, Amerasians from Viet Nam, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and certified victims of a severe form of trafficking. There are no matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds are awarded on a quarterly basis. Funds for Cash and Medical Assistance must be obligated within the fiscal year of appropriation and liquidated within the next fiscal year. Funds for social services must be obligated by end of the fiscal year after the fiscal year of appropriation and liquidated within the following fiscal year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
State agencies submit expenditure and program performance reports three times a year.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.
Records
The State agency must maintain financial records for three years after final payment or of the time period for the particular records in Parts 1-20 of Federal Procurement Regulations, whichever expires earlier.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1503-0-1-609.
Obigations
FY 07 $151,763,000; FY 08 $207,865,000; and FY 09 est $198,808,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2007, grant awards ranged from $12,000 to $51,632,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
45 CFR Part 400, Subpart E, F and Subpart G. Various materials are available on request from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20447.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 8th Floor West, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Henley Portner. Telephone: (202) 401-5363. Henley.Portner@acf.hhs.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
States must have submitted an approved State Plan.
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