Refugee and Entrant Assistance State/Replacement Designee Administered Programs
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
Cash and Medical Assistance (CMA) program provides funding for short-term cash and medical assistance to refugees and other eligible individuals of the refugee resettlement program. CMA also provides funding for foster care and youth services for unaccompanied refugee minors. Separately, Refugee Support Services (RSS) provides statutorily required services that help individuals find employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State
- Local
- Tribal
- Not-for-Profit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
- Nonprofit Organization
State agencies and Replacement Designees (RDs) are eligible to receive these funds. ORR issued PL 25-04 on March 14, 2025, Changes to ORR Support Services Recipients Beginning in FY 2026. It requires that the Refugee Support Services (RSS) grant be directly issued only to states. As a result, ORR will no longer issue RSS to RDs; however, some services may continue to be provided by RDs through the end of the grant period during the transition.
Beneficiaries
- Refugee
Refugees, certain Amerasians from Vietnam, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of human trafficking, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, certain Afghan humanitarian parolees, certain Ukrainian humanitarian parolees are eligible for benefits and services. Detailed information on eligibility of ORR-funded projects is available at 45 CFR §400.43 and ORR Policy Letters 16-01, 22-01, 22-02, 22-10, and 22-13, which can be found on the ORR website at: https://www.acf. gov /orr/policy-guidance/policy-letters. Cash and medical assistance is transitional for up to four months; Refugee Support Services may be provided for up to five years.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
State Plan-URL https://acf.gov/orr/form/report-forms. States and RDs apply for CMA and RSS by submitting an annual State Plan (CMA and RSS), ORR-6 Annual Service Plan (RSS), and ORR-1 CMA Program Estimates.
Award Procedure
Cash and Medical Assistance awards are made to State agencies and Replacement Designees following submittal of approved State Plans and annual Cash and Medical Assistance Program Estimates (ORR-1). For Refugee Support Services awards, State agencies and Replacement Designees must submit an Annual Service Plan (ASP).
Program details & compliance
Description
The Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance (CMA) Program reimburses States and Replacement Designees for the cost of cash and medical assistance provided to refugees, certain Amerasians from Vietnam, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of trafficking, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, certain Afghan Humanitarian Parolees, and certain Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees during the first 4 months after their date of arrival or date of eligibility. Specifically, CMA covers the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA), Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA), and Medical Screening activities, and recipient administrative costs. CMA also includes Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM), and reimbursement is provided for care of enrolled URMs and recipient administrative costs. Refugee Support Services (RSS) provides formula funding for employment and other social services for the same population for 5 years after their date of arrival or date of eligibility.
In FY 2022, in response to new priorities, Congress appropriated specific funding to support certain arrivals from Afghanistan and Ukraine. See ORR Policy Letters 22-01, 22-02, 22-10, and 22-13 for additional information on Afghan and Ukrainian arrivals eligible for these services.
Mission Categories
Primary: Refugees, Alien Services
Other categories:
Public AssistanceSpecialized Family and Child Welfare Services
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
See ORR Policy Letters for allowable costs and activities.
Restrictions
Costs of case management services, as defined in 45 CFR 400.2, may not be charged to the Cash and Medical Assistance award.
Required Documentation
Assistance is authorized for refugees, certain Amerasians from Vietnam, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of human trafficking, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants, certain Afghan humanitarian parolees, and certain Ukrainian humanitarian parolees with documentation on their immigration status.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements