U.S. Repatriation Program

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The U.S. Repatriation Program (Program) was established in 1935 under Section 1113 of the Social Security Act (Assistance for U.S. Citizens Returned from Foreign Countries), to provide temporary assistance to U.S. citizens and their dependents who have been identified by the Department of State (DOS) as having returned, or been brought from a foreign country, to the U.S. because of destitution, illness, war, threat of war, or a similar crisis, and are without available resources. Upon arrival in the U.S., services for repatriates are the responsibility of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Secretary has delegated these responsibilities to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Temporary Assistance is provided in the form of a loan that must be repaid to the Federal Government. Temporary assistance, which is defined as cash payment, medical care (including counseling), temporary shelter, transportation, and other goods and services necessary for the health or welfare of individuals is given to eligible individuals in the form of a loan and must be repaid to the U.S. Government. Temporary assistance, which is not an entitlement, is available to eligible individuals for up-to 90-days. Periodic case revisions are performed to determine whether the person remains eligible for services. Repatriates are to collaborate with this periodic revisions, failure to cooperate may result in closing of the case. Temporary assistance is not retroactive. Certain temporary assistance may be furnished beyond the 90-day period if ACF/ORR finds that the circumstances involved necessitate or justify the furnishing of such assistance to repatriates and their dependents beyond the 90 day limit (42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1313). In order to qualify for an extension of services, repatriates and/or representatives must submit their requests prior to the end of their 90-days of eligibility period in order to qualify. Necessary and timely supportive information must accompany the request for an extension. In addition, under the Program legislation, eligible individuals can apply for debt waivers and deferrals. Appropriate procedures are followed to make this determination. Repatriates should submit timely request for waivers and deferrals. Failure to submit timely requests may result in irreversible garnishment of available resources including federal and state benefits (e.g. SSI).

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