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Courtesy Charlotte Laracy,

Washington, D.C.— This week, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced eligibility, guidelines, and requirements for local stakeholders for the upcoming announcement for the Supplemental Appropriations Assistance Funding, which will provide funding to local social service organizations for their efforts in assisting southern border migrants who have been released from DHS custody. Applications for reimbursement for local entities will be available later this week.

“Throughout Texas, local governments and organizations have felt the significant financial strain of the humanitarian crisis on our southern border,” said Congressman Cuellar. “That is why I have been working since 2014 to reimburse local entities for their work in providing food, water, and shelter to the migrant children and families. The opening of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board’s Supplemental Appropriations Assistance grant application will be a critical step in alleviating the economic burden of administering humanitarian aid for local organizations and governments. As the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work for South Texas communities so they are not alone in bearing the costs of hosting migrants at our border.

“My office is ready to provide any assistance to local entities so they receive the reimbursements they deserve. I would like to express my gratitude to the local governments and organizations who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in accommodating the thousands of migrants at our southern border. I would also like to thank the National Board for working efficiently to reimburse the proper stakeholders.”

Once released, the application to apply for these supplemental funds will be available on the EFSP website link Supplemental Funding Information.

Eligibility

State or local non-profit, faith-based and governmental entities that have served migrants released from DHS custody at the southern border with shelter, food, and supportive services (see “Eligible Expenditures”) are eligible to apply. Applications can be completed by local entities (including local government agencies) and submitted to EFSP Local Boards. State government facilities that provided eligible direct services can apply through their EFSP State Set-Aside (SSA) Committee.

Organizations may access SSA and Local Board contact information by clicking on this link Supplemental Funding Information or via the EFSP website atwww.efsp.unitedway.org, and selecting Supplemental Funding Info. Organizations may also send an email request to suppfund@uww.unitedway.org or call at 703.706.9660 to obtain Local Board and SSA contact information.

Eligible Expenditures

All eligible applicants must demonstrate a significant influx of aliens, the volume of services they are providing and types of eligible services. All applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis, and not on a rolling basis. There will be two categories of expenditures, primary and secondary. Primary expenditures will be considered for reimbursement first. Should funds remain available, secondary expenditures will be considered.

Primary Expenditures:
• Shelter/Lodging (expenses related to mass shelter or hotel/motel nights of stay)
• Food (congregate meals or food pantry services)
• New Purchases needed for sheltering or feeding services (purchase of cots, linens, equipment, contracted security, etc.)
• Other Supportive Services provided directly to clients (toiletries, diapers, feminine hygiene products, undergarments, etc.)
• Local Transportation costs (transporting migrants to food and shelter)

Secondary Expenditures:
• Long Distance Transportation costs (transportation costs to move migrants to another city or state)
• Other Services (medical, mental health, legal aid, translation services, etc.)

Application Overview

The application process will differ dependent on the type of organization applying for funds. Local organizations will apply through their ESFP Local Board, including local governmental entities. State-wide organizations that provided direct service themselves and not through a local entity may apply through their State Set-aside Committee.

An application for reimbursement should include spreadsheets of expenditures, Per Diem Schedules reflecting the number of individuals served and copies of receipts showing proof of expenditures. The submission of these three documents will be considered a complete application.

The National Board will make final award decisions. In prioritizing award determinations, the National Board will use a number of factors, in their consideration of applications. The National Board will factor in issues such as Migrant Release data received from Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the number of migrants served, and information organizations provided on the direct costs incurred in serving migrants. It is important to note that the award amount will be dependent on the availability of funds.

The application period will last 10 business days. All interested entities must submit applications in this time frame in order to be considered for reimbursement.

For questions or further information on applying for the Supplemental Appropriations Assistance Funding, please contact our office at 202-225-1640 or contact Alexis Garcia at Alexis.Garcia@mail.house.gov.

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