The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

The CARES Act appropriates $5 billion for HUD’s Community Development Fund. The act directs HUD to allocate the funds in various ways, including through the CDBG program.

The US Treasury Department released an updated FAQ on the Coronavirus Relief Fund on May 4.  

April 23, 2020 - Federal Guidance Released on CARES Act Funding for State and Local Governments

This “Deeper Dive” (PDF) is focused on how Community Development Block Grants under the CARES Act can be leveraged by state and local governments to address the COVID-19 crisis. April 7, 2020

Federal Emergency Management (FEMA)

The DR-4520 public assistance informational resources include the Applicant Briefing on YouTube and FAQs. 

Guidance 

Grants Portal Account and Request for Public Assistance - Applicant Quick Guide (PDF) FEMA 

Public Assistance Applicant Quick Guide (PDF)

Details from WI State Emergency Mgt including links to video tutorials (PDF) 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures (PDF) FEMA

General FACT SHEET COVID-19 Emergency Declaration (PDF) FEMA
Note: FEMA assistance will be provided at a 75% Federal cost share.

Private Non-Profit Eligibility (PDF) FEMA

Spreadsheets - will download to your computer

Template General Spreadsheet with helpful hints, including lost revenue and tabs (Excel) City of Waukesha

Project Cost Summary (Excel) FEMA

Equipment Summary (Excel) FEMA 

Labor Summary (Exel) FEMA

Material Summary (Excel) FEMA

Fringe Benefit Calculations (Excel) FEMA 

Rental Summary (Excel) FEMA

March 20, 2020 - Several Finance Directors have also recommended tracking lost revenues. For example parks and recreation program income.  

Basics of Applying for FEMA Reimbursement PPT presentation (presented by Eric Learn on the League’s May 5 Roundtable call) 

Additional Guidance and Fact Sheets in this April 15, 2020 email from Wisconsin Emergency Management. 

Examples of Guidance:

ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION THROUGH CATEGORY B EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Under Category B of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities can request assistance for providing communications of general health and safety information to the public. Expenses associated with making those communications accessible and effective for the whole community, including people with disabilities, people with limited English proficiency, and others with access and functional needs, may also be eligible for assistance as Category B emergency protective measures. Fact Sheet. 

Public Assistance Donated Resources
Individuals and organizations often donate resources to assist with response and recovery activities. FEMA does not provide PA funding for donated resources. However, FEMA allows Applicants to use the value of donated resources (non-cash contributions of property or services)2 related to eligible Emergency Work to offset the non-Federal cost share of its eligible Emergency Work Project Worksheets (PW) and DFA; and to use the value of donated resources related to eligible work on a Permanent Work project to offset the non-Federal cost share of that specific Permanent Work PW. Guidance. 

Eric Learn, State Public Assistance Officer, Wisconsin Emergency Management, provided the following clarifications about FEMA Public Assistance:  

1. Eligible Election Costs – The cleaning and disinfecting of public spaces including polling sites is an eligible cost, however election related costs are not. Costs must be tied to eligible Category B Protective Measure activities; running elections, while very important, would not fall under the Cat B umbrella. So, the time and supplies needed to clean/disinfect the public spaces would be eligible costs, unfortunately the additional costs associated with printing extra absentee ballots, postage, and time preparing/mailing/counting the ballots would not be eligible costs under FEMA’s PA program. This Fact Sheet provides a description of COVID-19 eligible expenses under the FEMA Public Assistance Program.
2. Loss of Revenue – is not an eligible expense under the FEMA PA program.
3. Pay Policies – FEMA determines the eligibility of overtime, premium pay, and compensatory time costs based on the Applicant’s pre-disaster written labor policy. Pay policies established after event would not be eligible.
4. RPA Deadline – There has been some misinformation distributed that the deadline to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) is April 12, 2020. This is incorrect! FEMA has extended the deadline nationally and it will remain open for the duration of the Public Health Emergency.

If there are any questions or concerns, contact Eric Learn, State Public Assistance Officer, Wisconsin Emergency Management, DMAWEMPublicAssistance@wisconsin.gov 

FEMA Guidance here.  March 20, 2020
Includes "What Local Governments Should Do."

Note: FEMA recommends that local governments follow the guidelines for “ Procurement Under Grants Conducted Under Exigent ” or “ Emergency Circumstances.”