U.S. Repatriation Program FAQs

Please review the Department of State’s “What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis” for additional information.

The Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens travelling abroad to enroll in their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides information as a crisis develops.

The Program was established in 1935 under Section 1113 of the Social Security Act to provide temporary assistance to private U.S. citizens and their dependents identified by the Department of State as having returned from a foreign country to the United States because of destitution, illness, war, threat of war, or a similar crisis, and are without available resources.

The Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR) within the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the lead for the Program.

Eligible repatriates are U.S. citizens or their dependents identified by the Department of State as having returned or been brought from a foreign country to the United States due to destitution, illness, war, the threat of war or similar crisis, and do not have resources immediately accessible.

Lawful permanent residents that are dependents of U.S. citizens may be eligible.

Refugees and asylees who need assistance should refer to the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

U.S. citizens who would like to inquire about eligibility or need assistance may email RepatriationEvac@iss-usa.org or call 1-800-370-0936.

Eligible repatriates may receive assistance upon arrival in the United States.

Temporary assistance is defined by Section 1113 of the Social Security Act as money payments, medical care, temporary shelter, transportation, and other goods and services necessary for the health or welfare of individuals provided to eligible repatriates within the United States.

Yes. Temporary assistance is provided in the form of a loan repayable to the U.S. government.

All repatriation forms, including the repayment form (RR-05), are available on the OHSEPR Repatriation page.

When requested by OHSEPR for an emergency repatriation incident, a state will execute its state emergency repatriation plan to receive and provide temporary assistance to returning eligible citizens at designated ports of entry.

OHSEPR considers various factors specific to the incident when selecting ports of entry. When OHSEPR selects a port of entry, it will notify states via established processes.

OHSEPR will provide information to the selected state as it becomes available.

The 2024 National Emergency Repatriation Framework contains the most current guidance on emergency repatriation operations.

Repatriation forms are available on the OHSEPR Repatriation page

OHSEPR provides technical assistance and support. For additional assistance, states may email OHSEPR-Repatriation@acf.hhs.gov.

ACF determines which costs are reasonable, allowable, and allocable and will provide reimbursement contingent upon the availability of funds. Any state activities in preparation for activating a State Emergency Repatriation Plan are not reimbursable unless specifically authorized by OHSEPR. 

OHSEPR will provide information regarding the reimbursement process after a state is selected.

No. Emergency repatriation operations are non-Stafford Act incidents. More information is available on FEMA’s Stafford Act web page.