VOLAG or RA Reception and Placement (R&P) Grants
The purpose of Reception and Placement (R&P) Grant payments are to assist newly arrived refugees with their initial resettlement expenses in the United States. The payments are provided by
voluntary agencies (VOLAGs) also known as Resettlement Agency (RA). Payments are limited to the refugee's first 30 to 90 days in the U.S.
Afghan refugees may receive assistance from VOLAGs,RAs, or under any of the following programs:
●Sponsor Circle Program
This program is a group of individuals or a community-led resettlement initiative. The goal of this program is to provide initial resettlement assistance to Afghan refugees during their first 30 to 90 days in the U.S. The support includes fundraising of at least $2,275 per individual welcomed, helping to secure housing; providing basic necessities (furniture, clothing, food, etc.), connecting children to school, providing initial income support, and helping adults to find employment.
●Institutional Partner Program
This program provides airport welcome, housing, furnishings, food and household supplies, school enrollment, employment support, and more to Afghan refugees for the first 90 days after arrival. Currently, there are three organizations involved with this program: Islamic Relief, Samaritan’s Purse, and Lions Club International.
NOTE The Sponsor Circle Program and the Institutional Partner Program are also called the Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) Program.
Regardless of the program that is giving refugees the assistance, it is not countable. Key the OX Unearned Income Code in the INC TYPE field on UNIC.