Services

Federal laws require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support victims and potential victims of human trafficking by:

• Engaging in cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination to assist trafficking victims (22 U.S.C. 7103(d)).
• Raising awareness on the dangers of trafficking and the protections available for victims of trafficking (22 U.S.C. 7104 (b)).
• Expanding benefits and services to victims of human trafficking in the United States, which may also include potential victims of human trafficking and minor dependent children of victims of human trafficking (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(B)(i), 22 U.S.C. 7105(f)).
• Making grants for a national communication system to assist victims of human trafficking in communicating with service providers (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(B)(ii)).
• Certifying eligibility for adult victims of human trafficking to apply for benefits and services if they have a T visa, bona fide application for a T visa, or Continued Presence issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)(E)).
• Determining eligibility for child victims of human trafficking to apply for benefits and services in consultation with the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and non-governmental organizations with expertise on human trafficking (22 U.S.C. 7105(b)(1)G)).

The Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) within the Administration for Children and Families supports the implementation of these requirements by funding programs to provide case management and services to individuals who have experienced human trafficking and by processing requests for assistance. OTIP coordinates directly with federal, state, Tribal, and local officials to connect individuals who have experienced, or may be experiencing, trafficking to services in emergency situations.

Other HHS-funded programs may identify and assist survivors of human trafficking, including child welfare, services for youth who have run away or are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence services, programs for refugees or unaccompanied alien children, substance abuse and mental health services, federally qualified health centers, and other programs supporting populations at high risk of trafficking.