Eligibility Letters
Foreign national minors in the United States who have been subjected to severe forms of trafficking in persons are eligible for certain benefits and services under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. HHS Interim Assistance and Eligibility Letters allow minors who may have or have experienced human trafficking, and meet certain eligibility rules, apply for the same benefits and services as refugees.
U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents who may have experienced trafficking do not need HHS Letters to be eligible for similar services. They can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) for further assistance by calling 1-888-373-7888.
Assisting a minor?
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If you are assisting a foreign national minor who may have experienced trafficking, contact OTIP Child Protection Specialists at 202-205-4582 or by email during regular business hours to ask questions regarding the process or to discuss potential cases before submission. When you are ready, submit a Request Assistance for a Foreign Child Victims form (RFA).
OTIP Child Protection Specialists host monthly webinars on Responding to Child Victims of Trafficking. Save the date for the next webinar.
Assisting an adult? Learn about Certification Letters.
Already received a letter?
If you or someone you know has already received an Interim Assistance or Eligibility Letter, here are more resources that can assist:
- Trafficking Victim Assistance Program grantees can provide case management services to assist foreign nationals with HHS certification and enrollment in benefits.
- ORR State Refugee Coordinators can help navigate state-specific benefits questions.
- The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for technical assistance and service referrals. Call 1-888-373-7888 or email help@humantraffickinghotline.org.
Family members of individuals who have experienced trafficking that have their own derivative T visas (T-2 through T-6) are immediately eligible for benefits and services to the same extent as refugees. They do not need any letter from HHS.
Eligibility Resources
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Request for Assistance Form
Published: August 14, 2018The Request for Assistance form can be used by any person who has concerns that a foreign national minor may have experienced forced labor or commercial sex. -
Monthly Webinars: Responding to Child Victims of Trafficking
Published: January 29, 2018Description: This training will help participants understand the resources available, their role, and the role that OTIP plays in relation to assisting foreign -
Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) Services for Minor Victims of Human Trafficking
Published: September 5, 2017This Program Instruction (PI) clarifies pre-certification and post-certification status of minor victims and potential victims of human trafficking eligible for -
Issuance of Child Eligibility Letters on or after Applicant’s 18th Birthday if Application Received Prior to 18th Birthday
Published: May 11, 2016This Program Instruction (PI) describes the process by which an individual may request eligibility for federally funded assistance for an alien child who may