Refugee and Entrant Assistance Wilson/Fish Program

All programs operated under the Wilson Fish authority must serve refugees who have been in the United States for less than thirty-six months, during which they can receive interim support, medical services, support services, and case management, as needed, in a manner that encourages self-sufficiency, reduces welfare dependency, and fosters greater coordination among the resettlement agencies and service providers.

Public or private non-profit agencies are eligible.

Refugees, certain Amerasian immigrants from Vietnam, Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of a severe form of trafficking, Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants and Afghan and Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees as outlined in ORR PL 22-10 and ORR PL 22-13 are eligible for services and assistance through funded projects in a community. Detailed information on eligibility of ORR-funded projects is available at 45 § CFR 400.43 and ORR Policy Letter 16-01, which can be found on the ORR website at: www.acf.gov/programs/orr/resource/policy-letter-16-01.

To be eligible for Wilson Fish funding, recipients must ensure refugees meet all requirements of 45 C.F.R. 400.43, "Requirements for documentation of refugee status." The scope of assistance and services available to refugees from Wilson Fish recipients is similar to that of the State-administered Refugee Resettlement Programs, which in turn is similar to regular domestic public assistance programs.

Each application is reviewed against four factors: the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, and the Award Ceiling. If the application does not meet all of these factors, then it is disqualified from the merit review process. After the initial review, applications are reviewed and evaluated by merit review panels using only the criteria described in the Application Review section of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Generally, review panels include three reviewers and one chairperson. While merit review scores and their rankings are not binding. ACF does consider them when selecting projecting for funding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. Other criteria are explained in the Program Description section and in the Application Review section of the NOFO. For example, ACF may reserve the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested.