[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17312-17313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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 [email protected].

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]
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