The Federal government administers and funds the Repatriated Nationals Program. The Program helps destitute or ill U.S. citizens and certain dependents.
A repatriated national is a United States (U.S.) citizen or a dependent of a U.S. repatriated citizen who is returning to the U.S. from a foreign country because of:
Illness.
Destitution.
Threat of war.
Invasion.
Similar crisis.
The person has returned or is being brought to the U.S. by the U.S. government because he/she does not have available resources.
NOTE: Repatriated Nationals must provide proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. See Medical Assistance Eligibility Handbook Chapter 322, Citizen/Noncitizen, and Chapter 320, Identity.
NOTE: A person who provides for his/her own return to the U.S. privately is not a repatriated national.
NOTE: For questions, contact the Headquarters Program Unit:
Susan Nicola, State Repatriation Coordinator
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Operations Support Unit
555 Walnut St-6th Floor Forum Place
Harrisburg, PA 17101
The Department of State has these responsibilities:
1. Designates the person as a repatriate.
2. Arranges for his return to the U.S.
3. Notifies the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) of the repatriate’s port of entry.
DHHS then authorizes the Department of Human Services (DHS) to assist under the Repatriated Nationals Program.
The Headquarters Program Unit contacts these two CAOs:
The CAO that serves the port of entry (if the port of entry is in Pennsylvania).
The CAO where the repatriate or dependent will live.
Repatriated nationals may include these relatives of the repatriated U.S. citizen:
Grandparent.
Unmarried minor child, including an adopted child or stepchild.
Unmarried adult child who is dependent because of a handicap, including an adopted child or stepchild.
Minor sibling of the U.S. citizen or spouse.
Parent of a spouse.
Grandparent of a spouse.
The Federal government provides funding for 100% of the assistance under the Repatriated Nationals Program, including:
Cash Assistance
Social Services
The Repatriated Nationals Program does not cover SNAP (Food Stamps). However, the repatriate may apply for SNAP. Use the SNAP Handbook to determine if the repatriate qualifies.
Repatriated Nationals Assistance is a loan that the recipient must pay back to the Federal government if financially able to do so.
Repatriated Nationals Assistance is available for 90 days from the repatriate’s date of entry into the U.S. DHHS may extend the period if the repatriate meets certain conditions. See Section 750.3, Eligibility Period.
Reissued March 14, 2019, replacing October 10, 2012