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Date(s) - Nov 14
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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Hi Newcomer Resettlement pros!
This message contains 2 updates: 1) Government shutdown, 2) Ukraine + Afghan Benefits issue.
Government Shutdown
As the September 30th government funding deadline creeps closer, you may be wondering how the shutdown may affect your agency and community. Jewish Federations hosted a webinar earlier this week to provide insight into the current dynamics. Please see the attached memo for a rundown into the potential impacts a shutdown could have on specific programs and click here for a link to the recording.
Ukraine + Afghan Benefits Extension Issue
As we have previously shared, under current federal law, Ukrainian and Afghan parolees arriving after September 30th, 2023, will NOT be eligible for federal benefits. This article published yesterday sheds light on how Jewish human service agencies, communities, and Ukrainians are responding. (Special shoutout to JFS Richmond CEO Wendy Kreuter and JFCS Long Beach Resettlement Director Jackie Menter for their help with this story!)
Today, the Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) that contains language extending benefits eligibility for Ukrainian parolees through the duration of the CR, November 17th. The language can be found in Section 138 of the text (Summary HERE, Full text HERE). The Senate CR text does NOT contain an extension for Afghan parolees. (Note: The White House’s supplemental budget request also had an extension for Ukrainian parolees but excluded Afghans.)
Analysis
- While the inclusion of the benefits extension for Ukrainians is a positive sign that suggests lawmakers are aware of the problem, this CR is not likely to become law and there is no guarantee that the relevant language would be included in any final CR bill text.
- No bill language in the House of Representatives currently contains the relevant language, another example of how far apart the two chambers are right now in their vision for how to proceed.
- Even if a CR passes with the language included in the Senate version, Congress would need to further reauthorize these benefits in a future funding bill post-November 17th, or the appropriate date of funding expiration.
What does this mean for you?
- If your agency is expecting to resettle displaced Afghan and/or Ukrainian parolees in the coming days, weeks, or month ahead, benefits eligibility is not a certainty.
- Please consult with your State Refugee Coordinator to understand how this could affect newcomers in your state. As different states have different benefits eligibility and programs for newcomers with varying statuses, working with your SRC is essential.
In the meantime, Jewish Federations and NJHSA are continuing to advocate for benefits reauthorization to ensure resettlement remains financially feasible.
