Refugee and Entrant Assistance-State Administered Programs (93.566)
Program
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance-State Administered Programs
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration For Children And Families
Authorization
Refugee Act of 1980, Section 412, Public Law 96-212, 94 Stat. 111, 8 U.S.C 1522; Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980, Title V, Public Law 96-422, 94 Stat. 1809, 8 U.S.C 1522; Defense Authorization Act of 2008, Public Law 110-181, 122 Stat. 398; FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Section 602, Public Law 111-08; Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386; William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, Section 212-235, Public Law 110-457; Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Public Law 110-161, 121 Stat. 2212.
Program Number
93.566
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To reimburse States for assistance provided to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, victims of a severe form of trafficking, certain Amerasians from Viet Nam, and Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIVs) for resettlement by funding cash assistance, medical assistance, care of unaccompanied refugee minors, and social services for the eligible population. 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
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance is limited to refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, certain Amerasians from Viet Nam, victims of a severe form of trafficking, and Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, 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). For victims of trafficking, a certification or letter of eligibility issued by HHS/ORR is required. 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, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, and victims of a severe form of trafficking who have received a certification or eligibility letter from HHS/ORR. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Upon submittal of approved State plans, annual service plans, and annual State estimates, agencies are eligible for Federal funds to be expended on behalf of refugees.
Award Procedure
Grants are made to designated State agencies following submittal of approved State plans, annual service plans, and annual State estimates.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 30 to 60 days. No later than 45 days after the State plan or plan amendment is submitted, the ORR director will determine whether the plan or plan amendment meets requirements for approval, and approve or disapprove the plan.
Appeals
From 30 to 60 days. Any State disssatisfied with approval or disapproval of the state plan or plan amendment may, within 60 days, file a petition with the Director for reconsideration of the determination. The State may also request a hearing. The Director will affirm, modify, or reverse the original determination, within 60 days of submission of the petition, or within 60 days after a hearing.
Renewals
From 30 to 60 days. Annual.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title 45, Chapter IV, Part 400.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE 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. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
State agencies submit program performance reports three times a year. Cash reports are not applicable. State agencies submit program progress reports three times a year. State agencies submit expenditure reports four times a year. ORR regularly monitors state-administered programs, including cash and medical assistance, social services, and the unaccompanied refugee minors program. ORR has a contract for program monitoring and evaluation of effectiveness, and contract staff assists ORR staff in monitoring programs and validating data. ORR primarily targets on-site monitoring to states with large populations that receive significant funding. The ORR monitoring team reviews with state staff the eligibility and documentation requirements and verifies the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date client files. States track client categorical, financial, legal, and time eligibility to ensure compliance with ORR eligibility requirements in accordance with ORR regulations. ORR staff also monitor State financial, aggregate, and case-level reports, and review State Plans and State Plan amendments. These steps help assure that States conduct their programs with program and fiscal integrity and follow statutory requirements.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit 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 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.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: In FY 2008, 93 state-administered program grants were awarded for Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, and Refugee Social Services. Fiscal Year 2009: It is anticipated that 93 state-administered program grants will be awarded for Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, and Refugee Social Services in FY 2009. Fiscal Year 2010: It is anticipated that 93 state-administered program grants will be awarded for Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance, Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, and Refugee Social Services in FY 2010.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1503-0-1-609.
Obligations
(Formula Grants) FY 08 $271,158,000; FY 09 est $272,528,000; FY 10 est $272,528,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2009, grants for the Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance program ranged from $19,000 to $57,000,000; the average was $5,000,000. Grants for the Refugee Social Services program ranged from $75,000 to $25,000,000; the average was $2,000,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
45 CFR Part 400, Subparts A-I. 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.
Related Programs
93.567 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Voluntary Agency Programs; 93.576 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Discretionary Grants; 93.583 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Wilson/Fish Program; 93.584 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_Targeted Assistance Grants; 93.598 Services to Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking; 93.676 Unaccompanied Alien Children Program
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Pamela Green-Smith 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW, 8th Floor West, Washington, District of Columbia 20447 Email: pamela.greensmith@acf.hhs.gov Phone: (202) 401-4531 Fax: (202) 401-0981
Web Site Address
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr .
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: (1) Cash assistance for up to 8 months, (2) case management, (3) employment services, (4) care for unaccompanied refugee minors, and (5) English language training concurrent with employment services. Fiscal Year 2009: (1) Cash assistance for up to 8 months, (2) case management, (3) employment services, (4) care for unaccompanied refugee minors, and (5) English language training concurrent with employment services. Fiscal Year 2010: (1) Cash assistance for up to 8 months, (2) case management, (3) employment services, (4) care for unaccompanied refugee minors, and (5) English language training concurrent with employment services.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
States must have submitted an approved State Plan, annual service plan, and annual State estimates.
