The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has announced a reduction in the eligibility period for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). Effective 45 days from the publication of the Federal Register notice, the eligibility period for these benefits will be shortened from 12 months to four months for refugees and other eligible individuals.
This change follows an assessment by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which found that due to ongoing budget shortfalls, the 12-month eligibility period could no longer be sustained. Although the eligibility period was extended from 8 to 12 months in 2022 amid a surge in refugee admissions, it has now been reduced as part of efforts to balance appropriations and resources for the growing number of refugees.
Historically, the Refugee Act of 1980 authorized ORR to provide RCA and RMA for up to 36 months following a refugee’s arrival in the United States. However, over the decades, reduced congressional appropriations forced ORR to scale back this assistance progressively—first to 18 months, then to 12 months, and by FY 1992, to eight months, where it remained until the 2022 increase. The notice explains that “ORR is unable to sustain this expansion based on current and projected congressional appropriations and the number of refugees eligible for RCA and RMA.”
The decision to shorten the eligibility period to four months stems from a methodology established in 1993 under 45 CFR 400.211(a), which allows the ORR Director to adjust the duration of RCA and RMA based on available funds each fiscal year. The notice states, “Pursuant to 45 CFR 400.211, ORR calculated the costs of providing RCA and RMA to current recipients and the estimated number of future recipients at 12, nine, eight, six, and four months, and determined that it must shorten the period of eligibility for RCA and RMA to four months.”
Recent years have seen a significant influx of refugees and other eligible individuals. As of March 3, 2025, approximately 109,800 refugees and similar populations have been resettled in the U.S. since October 1, 2024, with an additional 714,000 ORR-eligible individuals admitted in FY 2024.
The notice attributes part of the budgetary strain to “open border policies of the Biden Administration,” which it claims “have caused budgetary shortfalls, requiring supplemental appropriations or transfers from other essential programs each year since FY 2022.” Furthermore, it highlights a more than 35% reduction in appropriations for Refugee and Entrant Assistance in FY 2024.
While ORR acknowledges the benefits of a longer eligibility period—such as giving refugees time to address medical and mental health needs, learn English, and secure employment, as noted in its 2022 expansion notice (87 FR 17312)—it argues that these advantages cannot override fiscal realities.
“The beneficial effects referenced in the 2022 notice must be weighed against resource constraints,” the notice explains, emphasizing that “budget shortfalls require an adjustment of the eligibility period in order to ensure adequate coverage of the entire population of ORR-eligible individuals.”
The change will take effect 45 days after publication, on May 5, 2025, applying only to refugees whose eligibility begins on or after that date. This delay, exceeding the minimum required by 45 CFR 400.211(b), aims to account for reliance interests and provide a transition period. Current recipients will not see their benefits cut retroactively, ensuring some continuity for those already in the system.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
