Treasury Department Updates Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) updated its “Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions” on June 24. These frequently asked questions (FAQs) supplement Treasury’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Guidance dated April 22. Both documents provide guidance to states, cities, territories, and Tribal governments receiving allocations from the $150 billion provided by the CARES Act.

Of the six new entries since the May 28 updated FAQ, two will be of primary interest to advocates. The two new FAQs, found on page 8, are summarized here.

May CRF payments be provided to non-profits for distribution to individuals in need of financial assistance, such as rent relief?

Yes, non-profits may be used to distribute assistance. Regardless of how the assistance is structured, the financial assistance would have to be related to COVID-19.

May CRF funds be used to satisfy non-federal matching requirements under the Stafford Act?

Yes, payments from the fund may be used to meet the non-federal matching requirements for Stafford Act assistance to the extent such matching requirements entail COVID-19-related costs that otherwise satisfy the Fund’s eligibility criteria and the Stafford Act. Regardless of the use of fund payments for such purposes, FEMA funding is still dependent on FEMA’s determination of eligibility under the Stafford Act.

The June 24 update of the “Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions” is at: https://bit.ly/3fYAFlr

“Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments” is at: https://bit.ly/3eyKwOp

NLIHC has a Coronavirus Relief Fund fact sheet at: https://bit.ly/3i3eVqw