FEDERAL AGENCY:

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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, and 102-170.

OBJECTIVES:

To subsidize States for assistance provided to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, victims of a severe form of trafficking and certain Amerasians from Vietnam for resettlement throughout the country, by funding maintenance and medical assistance, and social services for eligible refugees, asylums, Cuban and Haitian entrants and certain Amerasians from Vietnam. State agencies may purchase training and services from other providers. Refugees in the U.S. may be assisted regardless of national origin.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Assistance is limited to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and certain Amerasians from Vietnam as defined in the authorizing Acts, supplemented by appropriate documentation from the Immigration and Naturalization Service in possession of the refugee. 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 the regular domestic public assistance programs.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   The State agency designated by the State as responsible for the Refugee Resettlement Program is eligible to receive subsidies for providing cash and medical assistance and social services to eligible refugees.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Refugees who meet requirements of the refugee and entrant assistance program in the State in which they reside.

Credentials/Documentation:   Persons for whom assistance is authorized are limited to refugees in alien status, with documentation from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) as to refugee status, to certain Amerasian immigrants and their accompanying family members, and to Cuban and Haitian entrants with documentation from the INS as to status to certain Amerasian immigrants and their accompanying family members, allowed under Title V of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.

Pre-application Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   Upon submittal of approved State plans and annual State estimates, agencies are eligible for Federal funds to be expended on behalf of refugees. Refugees should contact State or local public welfare agencies. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102. The standard application forms, as furnished by DHHS and required by OMB Circular No. A-102, must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:   Grants are made to designated State agencies. State agencies submit quarterly expenditure and program performance reports.

Deadlines:   Deadlines will be set in accordance with 45 CFR, Part 400 and other instructions to States. Contact Headquarters Office below for further information.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   None.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   Annual.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   In fiscal year 2002, the program will subsidize, to the extent of available appropriations, cash and medical assistance and social services provided to or on behalf of eligible refugees and Cuban and Haitian entrants. This program has a statutory formula for social services, but no other statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Funds are appropriated on a yearly basis. Payments to States are made through the Payment Management System (PMS). 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:   Quarterly expenditure and program performance (and related statistics) reports are provided by the State agency.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 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:   Separate financial records must be maintained by State agency for 3 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.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $229,348,365; FY 02 est $242,147,876; and FY 03 est 242,147,876.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
In FY 2015, grants for the Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance program ranged from $15,000 to $97,915,745; the average was $6,467,780. Grants for the Refugee Social Services program ranged from $75,000 to $20,738,815; the average was $1,600,000. It is anticipated that this pattern will continue in FY 2016 and FY 2017.

In fiscal year 2001, almost 84,200 refugees, Amerasians, and entrants arrived in the U.S. Forty-six States and the District of Columbia retained approved plans for refugee resettlement. In fiscal year 2002, we expect about 70,000 refugees and Amerasians and 20,000 entrants from Cuba and Haiti. For fiscal year 2002, the refugee ceiling has been set at 75,000; in addition, we anticipate about 20,000 Cuban/Haitian entrants. In addition, we will assist an unknown number of persons granted asylum. For FY 2003, we expect 75,000 refugees, 20,000 Cuban and Haitian entrants and about 500 victims of a severe form of trafficking. In addition, we will assist an unknown number of asylees.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

45 CFR 400, Subpart E 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:   Carl Rubenstein Mary E. Switzer Building 330 C Street SW, 8th Floor West, Washington, District of Columbia 20201 Email: carl.rubenstein@acf.hhs.gov Phone: (202) 205-5933 Fax: (202) 205-5888

Web Site Address:  
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

(1) Cash assistance for up to 8 months, (2) case management, (3) employment services, and (4) English language training.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Notice of the criteria for awarding funds for special project grants are published in the Federal Register.