Notice2022-06356
Extending Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance From 8 Months to 12 Months
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 28, 2022
Issuing agencies
Health and Human Services DepartmentRefugee Resettlement Office
Abstract
In accordance with ORR regulations, the Director of ORR is announcing the expansion of the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) eligibility period from 8 months to 12 months of assistance for participants whose date of eligibility for ORR benefits is on or after October 1, 2021. Through the Refugee Act of 1980, Congress authorized cash and medical assistance up to 36 months, yet by fiscal year (FY) 1992, mainly due to insufficient appropriations, ORR had reduced the RCA and RMA eligibility periods to 8 months. For 30 years, ORR has not increased the RCA or RMA eligibility period. Extending the RCA and RMA eligibility period will lead to more effective resettlement, by providing refugee and other ORR-eligible populations with additional time to become self- sufficient.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 59 (Monday, March 28, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17312-17313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06356]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of Refugee Resettlement
Extending Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance
From 8 Months to 12 Months
AGENCY: Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), Administration for
Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS).
ACTION: Notice of change of eligibility period.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with ORR regulations, the Director of ORR is
announcing the expansion of the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and
Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) eligibility period from 8 months to 12
months of assistance for participants whose date of eligibility for ORR
benefits is on or after October 1, 2021. Through the Refugee Act of
1980, Congress authorized cash and medical assistance up to 36 months,
yet by fiscal year (FY) 1992, mainly due to insufficient
appropriations, ORR had reduced the RCA and RMA eligibility periods to
8 months. For 30 years, ORR has not increased the RCA or RMA
eligibility period. Extending the RCA and RMA eligibility period will
lead to more effective resettlement, by providing refugee and other
ORR-eligible populations with additional time to become self-
sufficient.
DATES: The changes described in this Federal Register notice are
effective as of the date of publication.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colleen Mahar-Piersma, Refugee Policy
Unit, Division of Policy and Procedures, Office of the Director, Office
of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, by
phone at (202) 260-5493, and email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d2a0b7b4a7b5b7b7a2bdbebbb1ab92b3b1b4fcbabaa1fcb5bda4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a485f5c4f5d5f5f4a55565359437a5b595c14525249145d554c">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1980 Refugee Act (8 U.S.C. 1522(e)(1))
authorized the Director of ORR (hereinafter ``the Director'') to
provide RCA and RMA during the first 36 months after a refugee's
arrival in the United States or, for other ORR-eligible populations,
after they became eligible for ORR benefits and services. (ORR-eligible
populations, hereinafter referred to as ``refugees,'' are outlined
within ORR Policy Letter (PL) 16-01, Documentation Requirements for the
Refugee Resettlement Program and ORR PL 22-02, Additional ORR-Eligible
Statuses and Categories and Acceptable Documentation Requirements for
Afghan Nationals.)
ORR regulations (45 CFR 400.211(a)) authorize the Director to
determine the time-eligibility period for RCA and RMA each year based
on the appropriated funds available for the fiscal year. After Congress
passed the Refugee Act of 1980, ORR provided refugees with RCA and RMA
for the first 36 months after a refugee's arrival. However, due to
reduced appropriations, ORR had to decrease this assistance from 36
months to 18 months, then to 12 months, and finally, in FY 1992, to 8
months.
The proposed expansion of the RCA and RMA eligibility period would
positively impact refugees who are not eligible for Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families or Medicaid. Increasing the RCA and RMA
eligibility period enables refugees to address any medical and mental
health issues that would impede their ability to become self-
sufficient. Additionally, an expanded eligibility period allows
refugees to focus on the Congressional priorities for assistance, as
outlined in the Refugee Act, of acquiring English, receiving employment
training, and securing employment, with the increase in
[[Page 17313]]
English skills and professional development potentially facilitating
employment at higher wagers, a benefit not only for their families but
for every community where they reside.
Refugees whose date of eligibility for ORR benefits is in FY 2022
(on or after October 1, 2021) are eligible for the expanded RCA and RMA
eligibility period.
(Authority: 45 CFR 400.211)
Dated: March 22, 2022.
Cindy Huang,
Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
[FR Doc. 2022-06356 Filed 3-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-27-P
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