COVID-19 Resources, Services, and Support

June 17, 2020

The Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) is focused on preventing human trafficking and working to ensure that children and adults who have experienced trafficking and their families get the support and care they need to live safe and healthy lives. This focus remains the same during responses to public health emergencies such as COVID-19. As in times of disaster response, we recognize that disruptions to local services, housing and economic stability, and social disconnection can further increase risk of victimization and exploitation.

OTIP continues to work diligently to assist individuals, families, and communities impacted by human trafficking in a timely manner. What challenges are you experiencing? We want to hear from survivors; state, tribal, and local leaders; faith-based and community organizations; health care providers; and other stakeholders so we can best meet shifting needs at the local level. Please email EndTrafficking@acf.hhs.gov or call 1-866-401-5510 to contribute information, and continue to check this page for available resources and services.

 

The following benefits and services continue to operate normally:

If you have difficulty accessing benefits and services through providers supported by OTIP, email EndTrafficking@acf.hhs.gov or call 1-866-401-5510.

 

National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH)

Contact the NHTH to get help or report potential trafficking. Learn more about NHTH, or visit the NHTH website for information on human trafficking and to find local resources .

Call 1-888-373-7888

Text 233733 (BEFREE) 

Email help@humantraffickinghotline.org

Online chat humantraffickinghotline.org

 

Domestic Victims of Human Trafficking Program (DVHT)

The DVHT program provides comprehensive case management, direct services, and referrals to services for domestic victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons.

Learn more about DVHT and find services in your area.

Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP)

TVAP provides comprehensive case management services to foreign national victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons who have received an HHS Certification Letter or Eligibility Letter. For more information on the TVAP or to learn how to become a TVAP partner, contact the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) :

Email traffickingvictims@uscridc.org

Call 1-800-307-4712

 

Eligibility Letters for Foreign National Minor Victims of Trafficking

Foreign national minors in the U.S. who have been subjected to a severe form of trafficking in persons are eligible to apply for benefits to the same extent as a refugee as well as comprehensive case management services. If you are working with a foreign national minor and have concerns that they may have experienced forced labor or commercial sex, submit a referral through the OTIP Shepherd Case Management System . For questions about benefits or submitting a referral:

Email ChildTrafficking@acf.hhs.gov

Call 202-205-4582

 

Certification Letters for Foreign National Adult Victims of Trafficking

Foreign national adults in the U.S. who have been subjected to a severe form of trafficking in persons and received a T visa or Continued Presence status from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are eligible to apply for benefits to the same extent as a refugee. Adult survivors of trafficking who are seeking or have received HHS Certification can access comprehensive case management services. For questions about the Adult Certification process or to request a Certification Letter on behalf of a foreign national adult:

Email Trafficking@acf.hhs.gov

Call 1-866-401-5510

Learn more about Certification Letters​​​​​

Resources to Address Challenges Related to COVID-19

OTIP compiled a list of challenges we have heard about from our stakeholders along with federal, state, and local resources to help. We will update the list on a continual basis as we learn more. If you encounter additional challenges or have resources to share, email OTIP at EndTrafficking@acf.hhs.gov or call 1-866-401-5510.

 

Caregiver and Household Resources

Housing, Shelters and Transitional Living Programs

Addressing Social Stigma

Child Care Alternatives

Access to Detox Services, Medication Assisted Treatment, and Other Substance Use Support Programs

Personal Safety

Food Assistance

Economic Impact Payments

Human Trafficking and Disaster Management

Grant and Program Administration

Remote Case Management

Workers’ Rights

Self-Care and Supporting Frontline Staff

Benefits and Services for Foreign National Victims of Trafficking

  • PL 20-03 (PDF): COVID-19 Extended Assistance for ORR Populations
    • Extends the RCA and RMA eligibility period up to eighteen months for clients who became eligible on or after April 1, 2019, with additional months not extending beyond September 30, 2020.
  • PL 20-04 (PDF): Assistance for ORR Populations Affected by COVID-19
    • Authorizes the use of various waiver requests for flexibilities such as verbal declarations of eligibility, RCA requirement for employability services if web-based services are unavailable, RCA income eligibility determinations, RSS funding for emergency and other assistance, such as equipment and supplies, extended RSS eligibility period, extension of the 90-day Refugee Medical Screening, and others.

Availability of Benefit-Issuing Agencies

Citizenship and Immigration Services

  • USCIS: Response to Coronavirus 2019
  • USCIS update: Beginning June 4, 2020, certain USCIS field offices and asylum offices will resume non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. Application support centers will resume services later. USCIS has enacted precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in reopened facilities. For more information, please see the USCIS web alert and office closures page .