THE SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Justification
Circumstances Making the Collection of Information Necessary
This program is authorized by Section 1113 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. § 1313) and the assistance provided to mentally ill repatriates found under 24 U.S.C. §§ 321 - 329. This program also provides services under emergency and group repatriations which are authorized under Section 1113 and by the extension of the Executive Order (E.O.) precedent, E.O. 12656 (53 CFR 47491). General program regulations are found under 45 CFR 211 & 212. Under each requirement, specific information must be provided in order to determine eligibility, provide services, and properly manage the financial activities of this Program which includes collection of the amount associated to the services provided.
In general, the U.S. Repatriation Program (hereinafter Program) was established in 1935 under Section 1113 (Assistance for U.S. Citizens Returned from Foreign Countries), to provide temporary assistance to U.S. citizens and their dependents identified by the Department of State 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. The Secretary has delegated these responsibilities to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and later was delegated from ACF to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
Temporary assistance, which is defined as cash payment, medical care (including counseling), temporary billeting (e.g., shelter), transportation, and other goods and services necessary for the health or welfare of individuals is given to eligible repatriates in the form of a service loan and must be repaid to the U.S. Government. Temporary assistance is available to repatriates for up-to 90-days and might be extended by ORR if the circumstances involved necessitate or justify the furnishing of such extension of services (42 U.S.C. § 1313). A case can be closed prior to reaching the 90th day upon finding that the eligible individual has resources available to meet his/her immediate needs. Once a case is closed, ORR through its arrangements with the Program Support Center begins collection of the amount associated to the services provided.
Repatriates can apply for a waiver or deferral of their repatriation loan which is approved on a case by case basis by ORR (45 CFR 212).
Purpose and Use of the Information Collection
The purpose for the collection and use of this information is to be able to carry out critical Program functions, including but not limited to 1) determine repatriate’s eligibility for HHS Repatriation assistance; 2) obtain information and authorization necessary to provide needed temporary services to eligible repatriates; 3) provide States with the ability to request and obtain reimbursement of financial claims; and 4) provide the Federal Government with the ability to collect the repatriation loans. ORR partners (e.g. states, federal agencies, grantee, etc.) will assist with the collection of this information.
Use of Improved Information Technology and Burden Reduction
ORR has considered reducing the burden of collection of information by permitting eligible and potential repatriates to submit certain information and some repatriation forms electronically. Repatriates will be able to submit applicable information through the program main website. State financial claims will be submitted electronically using applicable electronic technology (e.g. e-mails).
Efforts to Identify Duplication and Use of Similar Information
No similar data is being collected and as a result, this type of information is not available.
Impact on Small Businesses or Other Small Entities
No impact on small business or other small entities. To minimize respondent burden, the information being requested has been held to the absolute minimum required for the intended use.
Consequences of Collecting the Information Less Frequently
A delay and/or failure to collect this information may seriously jeopardize 1) the ability of the Federal Government to determine repatriate’s eligibility, 2) the ability to identify and provide temporary services to needy eligible repatriates, 3) the ability of the Federal Government to collect the repatriation loan from eligible repatriates, and 4) ability to repay Program partners/service providers (E.g. states) for assistance provided to eligible repatriates.
Special Circumstances Relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5
Under 45 C.F.R. 212.5 and 212.6 eligible repatriates and those entities that have entered into arrangements with HHS/ACF to assist in the provision of temporary assistance, are to submit information at frequent intervals for revision and redetermination of repatriate’s eligibility and/or termination of the temporary services. Some of the information collected fall under the Privacy Act authority. This information is necessary to determine eligibility and provide temporary assistance. Because the program does not provide grants but reimbursement of reasonable, allowable, and allowable costs to the providers of services, states are asked to submit their financial claims more often than quarterly in order to receive reimbursement in a more regular basis.
Comments in Response to the Federal Register Notice and Efforts to Consult Outside the Agency
There were comments. Federal Register Notice Volume #80, Page # 34161, and Publication Date June 15, 2015
Explanation of Any Payment or Gift to Respondents
Respondents do not get compensated for completing these forms.
Assurance of Confidentiality Provided to Respondents
Under 45 C.F.R. 211.14 and 212.9 and applicable state and Federal laws, the disclosure of personal and private information is prohibited except under the circumstances identified within the Program regulations. Assurance of confidentiality is provided to the respondents through the information provided by the case workers and/or instructions contained within applicable forms and applicable program documents.
Justification for Sensitive Questions
In order for individuals to receive the necessary/needed services and for the program to carry out the required functions of the statute, certain information, such as mental health status needs to be collected.
Estimates of Annualized Burden Hours and Costs
Some of the repatriation forms will only be utilized during emergency repatriations (massive evacuations) of U.S. citizens and others from overseas. These emergencies occur sporadically but not necessarily on an annual basis. In addition, some of the forms that are utilized on a routine basis will also increase in number during emergency repatriations.
The estimated Total Annual Burden Hours for the below eight forms is 9,203.25. These hours were estimated using personal experience. Below table provides an overview on how these hours were calculated. There is no annualized cost to the respondents.
The estimated state cost associated with the completion of all applicable forms is $9,875. This was calculated by multiplying the estimated state hourly rate ($50) by the burden hours (197.5).
Estimated respondent’s time value associated to the completion of all applicable forms is $103,566. This amount was calculated by multiplying the estimated respondent’s time value ($11.50) by the burden hours (9,005.75).
Form |
Number of Respondents |
Frequency of the response |
Average Burden Hours per Response |
Total annual Burden Hours |
The HHS Repatriation Program: Emergency and Group Processing Form |
25,000 |
1 |
0.30 |
7,500 |
The HHS Repatriation Program: Privacy and Repayment Agreement Form |
25,000 |
1 |
0.05 |
1,250 |
The HHS Repatriation Program: Refusal of Temporary Assistance Form |
15 |
1 |
0.05 |
0.75 |
The HHS Repatriation Program: Emergency and Group Repatriation Financial Form |
15 |
1 |
0.30 |
4.5 |
The HHS Repatriation Program: Non-emergency Monthly Financial Statement Form |
52 |
12 |
0.30 |
187 |
The HHS Repatriation Program: Repatriation Loan Waiver and Deferral Request Form |
800 |
1 |
0.30 |
240 |
The HHS Repatriation Program: State Request for Federal Support |
20 |
1 |
0.30 |
6 |
The HHS Repatriation Program: Temporary Assistance Extension Request Form |
50 |
1 |
0.30 |
15 |
Estimates of Other Total Annual Cost Burden to Respondents and Record Keepers
There are not costs to respondents or record keepers.
Annualized Cost to the Federal Government
The annual cost to the Federal Government or ACF is estimated to be $914,067. This number was estimated using the following calculation:
The outside service provider’s hourly rate is estimated at $50. Resulting in $50 x 9,203.25 (Annual time burden hours) = $460,163.
Annual cost to federal government is estimated at the current GS 13 step 5 salary = 49.32. Resulting in $49.32 x 9,203.25 (Annual time burden hours) = $453,904 + service provider’s hourly rate listed above ($460,163) = 914,067.
Explanation for Program Changes or Adjustments
There are no program changes or adjustments.
Plans for Tabulation and Publication and Project Time Schedule
Information collected is not intended for publication.
Reason(s) Display of OMB Expiration Date is Inappropriate
The OMB expiration date for the information collection will not be displaced on the forms. These documents are expected to be in use for a long period of time. Putting a date on the form will create a waste since the form could no longer be used when the expiration date is reached.
Exceptions to Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions
No exception is requested.
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| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | U.S. Repatriation Program |
| Author | Keating |
| Last Modified By | Windows User |
| File Modified | 2016-02-18 |
| File Created | 2016-02-18 |