The United States Repatriation Program provides temporary assistance to U.S. citizens and dependents who are brought from a foreign country to the United States because of lack of financial resources, illness, war, threat of war, natural disaster, or similar crisis.

"Assistance" means non-emergency benefits and services. "Emergency" means an activation of the state emergency repatriation plan. During an emergency, you may get emergency assistance at an emergency repatriation center when you arrive at a port of entry. Benefits and services available during an emergency depend on what is available at the time of incident. You may apply for non-emergency assistance in your state of final destination after receiving assistance at an emergency repatriation center.

For the purposes of this chapter, "we" and "us" means the department of social and health services.

You apply for repatriation assistance by contacting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or us.

(1) If you contact HHS, we consider a referral from them as an approved application.

(2) If you contact us directly, we apply for you to HHS.

(3) During an emergency, repatriation assistance is provided to you at an emergency repatriation center at a port of entry in Washington state.

Repatriation assistance is a loan. You, or your representative if you are incapacitated, must:

(1) Sign a statement recognizing repatriation assistance as a loan; and

(2) Agree to repay the funds.

Repayment goes to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and HHS is responsible for collecting repayment of this loan.

(1) You are not eligible to receive repatriation assistance if your:

(a) Income, as defined by temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) equal to or greater than the TANF need standards as described in WAC 388-478-0015; or

(b) Resources, as defined by TANF under WAC 388-470-0005 that are available to meet your resettlement needs.

(2) We consider a resource available to you when:

(a) The value can be determined;

(b) It is controlled by you; and

(c) You can use the resource to meet your needs.

(3) Income limits do not apply during emergency repatriation incidents as defined in the Washington state Emergency Repatriation Plan.

(1) If you are incapacitated, you receive temporary care until you:

(a) Can be released to the care of a relative or state agency; or

(b) Are discharged or granted release from hospitalization.

(2) If you are not incapacitated, you may receive repatriation assistance up to twelve months as follows:

(a) "Temporary assistance" meaning repatriation assistance provided during the first ninety days after you return to the United States.

(b) "Extended assistance" meaning repatriation assistance provided for up to nine months after the end of your temporary assistance. We must have approval in advance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), so you must ask us to apply for extended assistance while receiving temporary assistance and be:

(i) Ineligible for any other assistance program; and

(ii) Unable to support or care for yourself due to age, illness, or lack of job skills.

(3) During an emergency, you may only receive repatriation assistance as long as you remain in the emergency repatriation center. Once you leave the emergency repatriation center, you may apply for non-emergency repatriation assistance.

(1) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sets limits on how much we pay for repatriation assistance.

(2) Within payment limits, repatriation assistance includes:

(a) Travel to your place of residence, limited to:

(i) One domestic trip at the lowest fare and using the most direct means;

(ii) Meals and lodging while you are traveling;

(iii) Money for incidentals; and

(iv) If you are incapacitated, travel expenses for an escort.

(b) Goods and services necessary for your health and welfare, including:

(i) Transportation for medical treatment, hospitalization or social services;

(ii) Temporary shelter;

(iii) Meals;

(iv) Clothing;

(v) Hospitalization to treat mental or acute illness or other medical care; and

(vi) Guidance, counseling and other social services.

(3) Benefits, services, and assistance available during an emergency at an emergency repatriation center are described in the Washington state Emergency Repatriation Plan.