The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board has been awarded $75 million in humanitarian relief funding that was made available under the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, referencing Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022, for the purposes of providing shelter and other services to families and individuals encountered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These funds are solely intended for migrants crossing the Southwest Border and encountered by DHS. To allow more opportunities for agencies to submit applications for funding, there will be multiple open application periods. The first open application period will begin January 2, 2023 and will be for eligible expenditures incurred on October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Additionally, a funding method called a Humanitarian Advanced Funding Request (HAFR) (previously known as a Special Funding Request) is available for Local Boards and State Set-Aside (SSA) Committees to request funding directly of the National Board on behalf of service agencies in their communities. Information about the HAFR method is available in the FY23 Humanitarian Relief Funding Guidance available on the EFSP website.
The latest application period for Humanitarian Funding will be opened from Monday, January 2, 2023 through Friday, February 17, 2023. The application will close on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Any agency that provides services may either apply via the EFSP website by selecting Humanitarian Funding Info from the home page to access the application for reimbursement of already incurred expenses or contact its Local Board about submitting a Humanitarian Advanced Funding Request (HAFR) for advance funding to meet anticipated needs. Agencies may apply for reimbursement for already incurred expenses from October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. After review of agencies' applications, Local Boards must submit them to the National Board by Friday, February 24, 2023.
No application received after the deadline will be considered for funding during this application period. As funding may be limited to meet every request, Primary Services (food and shelter) will be considered for reimbursement first. Should funds remain, Secondary Services, Administrative Services, Equipment and Assets Services, and Transportation Services will be considered. Agencies will be able to apply for funding in each category. Any nonprofit, faith-based or government agency that can document expenditures made to migrants encountered by DHS at the southern border may be considered to receive funds for eligible services provided; current or former EFSP participation is not a prerequisite for application submission. Eligible organizations that provide shelter, food, transportation, basic heath and first aid, COVID-19 testing and associated medical care needed during quarantine and isolation, and other supportive services may apply. Most of the funding is anticipated to be awarded to service organizations from southern border states where the greatest needs are expected to be met but all agencies throughout the country may apply for funding.
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