Getting Coronavirus Relief Funds for Your Community Starts NOW

Last week, the United States Congress passed and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Many resources were included in this package to assist local governments across the country through this crisis.

Through the bill, $45 Billion has been allocated to bolster the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund along with an additional $150 Billion that has been set aside as part of a Coronavirus Relief Fund. These funds are part of a total package of $2 Trillion in spending that includes direct payments to taxpayers, support for businesses, hospitals, and others impacted by COVID-19.

Public Assistance Funds: Following the President’s National Emergency Declaration on March 13th, all local governments are eligible to apply for Public Assistance Funds (Category B: Emergency Protective Measures). The $45 billion allocation in the CARES Act will support these efforts. As typical through normal Presidential Disaster Decelerations, local governments will need to work with their state’s Emergency Management Agency to file a Request for Public Assistance.

Here is a link to each state's Emergency Management Agency website where you will be able to apply for Public Assistance Funds.

Coronavirus Relief Fund: For the Coronavirus Relief Fund, all states will receive a minimum of $1.25 Billion in funds to support the relief efforts with the remainder of funds distributed on a proportion based upon their population.

Only local government units with a population greater than 500,000 will be eligible for direct support from the federal government. These funds will be able to be utilized for expenses if they meet the following criteria:

1. Are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019.
2. Supports spending not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020.
3. Were incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.

Additional guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury is expected on how to access these funds and how smaller units of local government will be able to seek support (most likely through their own state’s government).

How Localgov Can Help: We understand that governments nationwide are facing an unprecedented challenge to maintain essential services. Localgov can assist your community by facilitating remote access to government services for citizens and employees through our tax collection and accountability software.

Under the Presidential Disaster Deceleration, Public Assistance Funds are potentially eligible to be spent on Localgov solutions as they assist in temporary facilities for:

1. Essential community services
2. Provide protection for an eligible facility
3. Remove health and safety hazards
4. Allows for emergency operations centers to coordinate and direct the response to a disaster

We are able to get you online in less than 24 hours, just let us know you are ready!

If you have any questions about the reimbursements outlined in this article or about how Localgov can help you during this time, please contact us. We have grant writing consultants that can help you submit these activities so they can be potentially paid for by the disaster relief fund.