NACo Toolkit: Tracking COVID-19 Relief for Human Services and Education Programs
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Congress has passed several relief packages offering hundreds of billions of dollars in supplemental funding for human services and education programs that matter to county governments. Additionally, Congress and the Trump and Biden administrations have authorized various flexibilities for the states and counties responsible for administering these programs.
This toolkit tracks the steps the federal government has taken to implement new resources and administrative changes within human services and education programs authorized by:
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA; PL 116-127)
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act; PL 116-136)
- Continuing Appropriations Act of 2021 (PL 116-159)
- Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA, PL 116-260)
- The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP; PL 117-02)
The funding detailed in this toolkit is independent of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery funds authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act. For details on eligible uses for recovery funds including on programs and services related to human services and education, visit NACo’s COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse. For details on additional funding streams available under ARP, visit NACo’s interactive toolkit.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE (FNS)Jump to Section |
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)
County Role
Ten states delegate the administration of the SNAP program to county governments. SNAP is funded as an entitlement.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: $15.5 billion in contingency funding. Disbursed as of November 2020 along with an additional $4 billion in SNAP reserves to respond to increased program participation.
- CRRSA: temporarily expands SNAP eligibility for college students to last 30 days after the end of the public health emergency.
- CRRSA and ARP: All SNAP participants received a uniform monthly benefit increase of 15 percent starting January 1, 2021 and ending September 30, 2021.
- ARP: $1.1 billion in funds for SNAP administration to be allocated over the next three fiscal years, an amount commensurate with a 100 percent federal administrative match. USDA released these funds on April 29, 2021. Guidance and state allocations can be found here.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
- Emergency Allotments: All states may provide emergency supplements to SNAP households that normally receive less than the maximum benefit. In effect for duration of national and state public health emergency. On April 1 2021, USDA updated its guidance to allow emergency allotments to be available to all SNAP households, including those receiving the maximum monthly benefit.
- SNAP Online Purchasing: FNS rapidly expanded the SNAP online purchasing pilot to support social distancing, bringing access to nearly three-quarters of the states, covering 90% of SNAP households.
- Able-bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs) Time Limit Suspension: The FFCRA directed FNS to suspend the time limit associated with ABAWD work requirements. In effect for duration of national and state public health emergency.
- Interviewing and Recertification: The Continuing Appropriations Act of 2021 permits state SNAP agencies to adopt certain options without USDA approval through June 30, 2021.
NEW! As of January 1, 2022, states can request to extend or implement certain COVID-19 flexibilities through the end of the month subsequent to the month in which the public health emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic is lifted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Expanded guidance can be found here. A full list of active state SNAP waivers can be found here.
PANDEMIC ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (P-EBT) PROGRAM
County Role
Authorized under the FFCRA, the Pandemic-EBT program provides SNAP benefits to children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals. Counties charged with administering SNAP benefits are also responsible for administering P-EBT. P-EBT is funded as an entitlement.
Emergency Funding
- Continuing Appropriations Act of 2021: Expanded the Pandemic-EBT program to cover children experiencing disruptions in meals to closed daycare
- CRRSA: Further expanded P-EBT to apply to all income-eligible children under age 6. On January 26 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order directing USDA to increase P-EBT benefits by 15 percent. On January 29, 2021 USDA issued updated guidance implementing this increase and encouraging states to retroactively apply the higher benefit.
- ARP: Extends the P-EBT program through summer 2021 and summer 2022. On April 26, 2021 USDA posted guidance and other resources to guide the expansion of the P-EBT program during summer 2021.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
In an effort to make the distribution of P-EBT benefits to eligible children as efficient as possible, USDA developed a simple P-EBT summer plan template. The template allows states to elect a USDA-determined standard benefit that relieves States of the burden of determining their own benefit levels based on State-specific school district calendars. However, as of January 18, 2022, uptake remains low, with just 8 states with approved P-EBT plans for the 2021-2022 school year.
NEW! On May 9, 2022, FNS posted materials regarding the extension of State P-EBT plans through Summer 2022. The updated template and Q&As are now available on USDA’s P-EBT website.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC)
County Role
WIC is administered at the state level, but operates through 1,900 local agencies, including county health departments, at thousands of clinic sites. WIC is formula funded.
Emergency Funding
- FFCRA: $500 million through existing formula to cover increased participation. According to a Government Accountability Office report published November 30, 2020, USDA did not need to obligate these additional funds.
- ARP: Up to $880 million in emergency funds, including $390 million to support outreach innovation and program modernization funding and $400 million to make available, at state option, a four-month increase of the Fruit and Vegetable Voucher of up to $35 monthly. On April 27, 2021 USDA released the list of states opting into the fruit and vegetable benefit increase.
NEW! On November 8, 2021, FNS issued a request for comment on the development of Center for WIC Modernization and Delivery funded by the $390 million provided under the ARP to support outreach innovation and program modernization. Comments are due on December 8, 2021. More information can be found here.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
- Remote Benefit Issuance Waivers: FNS is allowing WIC agencies to issue benefits remotely so participants do not have to pick up their WIC benefits in person.
- Physical Presence Waivers: FNS is allowing participants to enroll or re-enroll in WIC without visiting a clinic in person and postpone certain medical tests.
- Food Package Substitution Waivers: FNS is allowing WIC agencies to substitute certain food package items when availability is limited. Agencies can also change their approved foods lists as needed.
On September 20, 2021, FNS extended the expiration of WIC Waivers until 90 days after the public health emergency ends. A full list of active state WIC waivers can be found here.
NEW! On December 21, 2021, FNS issued a preliminary report on the uptake and impact of federal waviers on WIC operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
County Role
Child nutrition programs play an important role in fighting child hunger and ensuring healthy child development and educational attainment. While counties play a limited role in funding or administering child nutrition programs, we often provide complementary services to the same population of participating children. Child nutrition programs are funded as an entitlement.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: $8.8 billion in additional funding for child nutrition programs (also known as school and summer meals).
- CRRSA: $13 billion in funding to support a wide range of federal nutrition programs, including child nutrition programs, in meeting unforeseen expenses and increased demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout 2021, FNS also allocated additional assistance to help schools respond to supply chain disruptions, including $1.5 billion in dedicated funding for Child Nutrition program operators.
NEW! On January 7, 2022, FNS announced an increase in federal school meal reimbursements through June, 2022. The increase will provide an estimated $750 million more to school meal programs this year, helping school food operations deal with increased costs and supply chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic
Key Administrative Flexibilities
On April 20, 2021 USDA extended the following waivers through June 30, 2022:
- Meal Times Waiver: FNS is letting meals be served to kids outside traditional times to maximize flexibility for meal pick-up.
- Non-congregate Feeding Waiver: FNS is allowing meals to be served in non-group settings to support social distancing.
- Parent/Guardian Meal Pick-Up Waiver: FNS is allowing parents/guardians to pick-up meals and bring them home to their children.
- Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Summer Food Service Operations: FNS is allowing the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option operations through the entire school year (typically only allowed during the summer months). On September 23, 2021, FNS also extended nationwide waivers for schools and community partners that operate the SFSP for the duration of the 2021-2022 school year.
A full list of active state Child Nutrition program waivers can be found here.
NEW! On March 31, 2022, U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced the bipartisan Support Kids Not Red Tape Act (S.3979), which would extend the pandemic-era child nutrition program flexibilities that are currently set to expire on June 30, 2022. Learn more here.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (ACF)Jump to Section |
CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (CCDF)
County Role
Eight states delegate the administration of the CCDF to county governments. The discretionary portion of CCDF, the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and the mandatory portion, the Child Care Entitlement to States (CCES) are both formula-funded.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: $3.5 billion in supplemental funding for CCDBG with flexibility to disregard income eligibility requirements for essential workers and to pay staff when centers are closed due to the pandemic. State by state allocations can be found here. The funding was released in April 2020.
- CRRSA: $10 billion in emergency funding for CCDBG. State allocations can be found here. The funding was disbursed on February 5, 2021. State plans for the use of these funds can be found here.
- ARP: $39 billion in emergency funding for CCDBG, $15 billion of which will go through the regular formula and $24 billion of which will function as a stabilization fund for states to make subgrants to child care providers. Both pots of discretionary funds were released on April 15. State allocations can be found here. On May 10, 2021, ACF issued guidance for the child care stabilization grants. On June 10, 2021, ACF issued guidance for the CCDBG supplemental funding.
Under ARP, CCES will also receive a permanent annual increase of $600 million, with the state match waived in FY 2021 and FY 2022. On August 3, 2021, ACF released guidance on the on the additional CCES mandatory and matching funds made available through the ARP.
NEW! On November 1, 2021, ACF updated their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Stabilizing Child Care and COVID-19. ACF has also made state applications for Stabilization grants available here.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
CCDF lead agencies have discretion over determining which flexibilities to deploy in response to COVID-19 as well as how to use the supplemental funding.
In some cases, States may need to enact State legislation or regulation to take advantage of these flexibilities. They also may need to submit a Plan amendment or waiver request to the Office of Child Care.
Key options for CCDF lead agencies include:
- Flexible use of quality dollars
- Changing CCDF eligibility criteria and/or priority rules for children and families:
- Broadening the Lead Agency’s definition of protective services to waive eligibility requirements
- Waiving or reducing co-payments for impacted families
Active state CCDF waiver approvals as of August 6, 2021 can be found here. Waiver guidance as of September 21, 2021 can be found here.
HEAD START
County Role
Many county governments play an important role in the operation of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, whether by serving as one of the nation’s 1,600 local grantees and/or contributing funding to the Head Start program’s non-federal match requirement or to expand the program within the jurisdiction. Head Start grants are competitive and counties can apply directly, but emergency funds have been distributed to existing grantees.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: $750 million in emergency funding allocated by a formula based on each existing grantee’s funded enrollment. The funding was released in June 2020.
- CRRSA: $250 million in emergency. Grantees had an April 9 deadline to apply for a proportionate amount of the $250 million based on their total funded enrollment.
- ARP: $1 billion in emergency funding. On June 30, 2021, ACF awarded the supplemental Head Start funds authorized under ARP to more than 1,500 local Head Start programs.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
Several flexibilities are statutorily available to Head Start grantees during emergencies:
- Waiving non-federal share: OHS will also approve all requests for waivers of non-federal match associated with the following funds for FY 2021: Cost Of Living Adjustments, quality improvement, and funding associated with COVID-19
- Waiving administrative cost limitations: Programs may request a waiver of the 15% administrative cost limitation if additional program management attention is needed to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Budget transfers: Grantees can shift up to $250,000 between budget categories without prior ACF approval.
- Expedited procurement: Procurement may be undertaken without utilizing the grantee's usual competitive practices if necessary to respond to COVID-19.
- Other flexibilities: In addition, the guidance from ACF-HS-IM-19-01 General Disaster Recovery Flexibilities applies to Head Start programs impacted by COVID-19. Although there are no formal waivers for the number of days of service provided via center-based programs, or number of home visits and socializations provided via home-based programs, programs will not be expected to make up the days missed due to COVID-19.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (CSBG)
County Role
CSBG operates in 99 percent of the nation’s counties through a network of over 1,000 eligible public or private entities. CSBG is formula funded and states must pass 90 percent directly to eligible local entities.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: $1 billion in supplemental funding for CSBG to be allocated to eligible entities based on the proportionate share included in the FY 2020 State CSBG or Tribal CSBG Plan. The funds were released in May 2020 (state by state allocations can be found here.) States and tribes were required to submit a CSBG plan amendment with information specific to CARES Act funding by September 1, 2020.
NEW! On September 27, 2021, ACF updated the CSBG CARES Act spending schedule to extend the obligation deadline by one year to September 30, 2022.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
- Expanded income eligibility: Per the CARES Act, CSBG funding may be used to provide services to individuals earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty line (a change from the existing statutory cap at 125 percent of the federal poverty line) until the end of Fiscal Year 2021.
- Emergency response activities: Additionally, within existing allocations, state CSBG funding may be used to support emergency response that is consistent with statutorily allowable activities. State CSBG-designated organizations are not required to request a federal waiver to utilize their existing CSBG funding to support disaster response and assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families. Provided there is no change to the proportionate share of CSBG funds allocated to eligible entities, states are not required to submit plan amendments to OCS for changes to local Community Action Plans.
Additional guidance for CSBG lead agencies can be found here.
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
County Role
ACF distributes LIHEAP block grant funds to States, Indian tribes/tribal organizations, and Insular areas. Grantees then pass funds along to local public or non-profit agencies to administer the program. In thirteen states, county governments are fully or partially responsible for this function. Colorado, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Virginia pass LIHEAP funds down to county agencies. In Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon and Wisconsin, both county agencies and non-profit entities adminster the program depending on the region.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: $900 billion in supplemental funding for LIHEAP. These funds were released in May 2020. State-by-state allocations can be found here.
- ARP: $4.5 billion in supplemental funding for LIHEAP, available until September, 2022. ACF released these funds on May 4, 2021. State allocations can be found here.
NEW! On January 7, 2022, the White House released a fact sheet reviewing the ARP investment in LIHEAP by state and announcing commitments by major utility companies that receive public dollars to prevent utility shut-offs this winter and help expedite the delivery of federal aid for home energy assistance.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
LIHEAP funding may be used to respond to the COVID-19 so long as there is a connection to residential home energy. LIHEAP grantees may, for example:
- Make adjustments in light of changing need: Grantees may choose to adjust their benefit matrices, program operation timeframes, eligibility rules, coordination with heating and cooling shelters, and other related policies and procedures in light of changing need during the COVID-19 situation—such as lost wages, jobs, increased home heating and cooling expenditures, temporary shelter needs, and more.
- Make adjustments for staffing changes: Grantees may also adjust their obligations of LIHEAP funding for staffing to ensure that there is coverage for LIHEAP services when staff absences occur due to COVID-19.
More guidance can be found here.
LOW INCOME HOME WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHWAP)
County Role
Congress established the LIHWAP as an emergency program to help states respond to the coronavirus pandemic under the CRRSA. ACF has encouraged States to model their LIHWAP plans after their most recently accepted LIHEAP Plans, meaning it is likely that county governments administering LIHEAP will similarly be responsible for LIHWAP. LIHWAP is formula funded.
Emergency Funding
- CRRSA & ARP: $1.138 billion in total funding. On June 2, 2021, ACF made 15 percent of allocated LIHWAP funding immediately available to grantees to support the establishment of the program. On August 30, 2021, ACF released a model LIHWAP Application Plan and directed current LIHEAP grantees to apply by October 15, 2021 for the grant period of May 27, 2021 through September 30, 2023. Approved State implementation plans can be found here. Updated FAQs for FY 2022 are also now available.
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)
County Role
Nine states representing half of the program’s national caseload delegate the administration of TANF (which funds a wide range of anti-poverty programs and family services) to counties. TANF is formula funded.
Emergency Funding
- ARP: $1 billion for a Pandemic Emergency Fund through the TANF program. Unlike regular TANF funds, this emergency funding will only allow states to provide short-term targeted benefits (cash assistance or otherwise) to families in crisis. States will receive funds based on their population’s share of children and portion of prior TANF expenditures dedicated to cash assistance. State-by-state allotments can be found here. As of April 9, states may submit a request for these funds. More instructions can be found here.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
- TANF work participation requirements: ACF has issued guidance to states to help them respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that while it cannot waive TANF work rules without congressional authorization, it can relieve states of penalties for states’ failure to meet these standards and “will exercise this authority to the maximum extent possible.” States may also continue assistance to families exceeding the five-year time limit through a hardship extension. However, States are penalized if more than 20% of their caseload has received assistance for more than five years.
CHILD WELFARE SERVICES
County Role
County governments are fully responsible for operating the child welfare system in nine states and share that responsibility with the state in two others. Child welfare programs represent various mandatory and discretionary funding streams, the majority of which are formula funded, though a small portion consist of competitive grants.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: $45 million for grants to states, territories and tribes to support the child welfare needs of families during the crisis, and to help keep families together. The non-federal matching requirement does not apply to this funding increase. These funds were released according to the existing formula for Title IV-B funds. Additional information can be found here.
- CRRSA: Included the Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947), which provided $400 million in emergency funding for programs supporting older foster youth and $85 million in funding for states and counties to provide services that support family preservation, family unification, adoption and other supportive services. State-by-state allocations can be found here. States have until September 30, 2022 to expend these funds.
NEW! On August 6, 2021, FNS issued general guidance on how on how the $400 million in emergency funding for foster youth might be treated when determining eligibility for SNAP.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
The Children’s Bureau has provided guidance for child welfare agencies on flexibilities they may deploy to respond to COVID-19 and other best practices, including:
- Guidance About Seeking Personal Protective Equipment for Child Welfare Workers
- Use of Federal Funds for Cell Phones and Personal Protective Equipment
- Guidance Regarding Fingerprint and Caseworker Visit Requirements During COVID-19 Response
- Postponement of Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews and National Youth in Transition Database Reviews
- New guidance on caseworker visits via videoconferencing
- Virtual Adaptions for the Title IV-E Prevention Program
The Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act (H.R. 7947), which was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, included temporary emergency flexibilities, including:
- Requiring states to provide youth who would otherwise “age out” of foster care during the public health emergency with the option of remaining/returning to care.
- Suspending certain training and postsecondary education requirements and lifting the 30 percent cap on housing costs for foster youth education and training vouchers.
- Permitting flexibilities to prevent disruptions in the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program (MIECHV) such as virtual home visits and sustained funding for staffing regardless of enrollment.
- Waiving the state match and evidence requirement for Kinship Navigator program
However, these flexibilities expired on September 30, 2021.
NEW! On October 14, 2021, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) sent a letter addressing the expiration of the foster youth flexibilities with suggestions on how agencies can continue to support older youth in or formerly in foster care
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING (ACL)âJump to Section |
OLDER AMERICANS ACT (OAA) PROGRAMS
County Role
OAA programs are formula funded to states, which must pass the majoritity of dollars to local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) for administration. In many states, county agencies serve as the AAA or help operate the AAA through regional partnerships, making us key recipients of these funds.
Emergency Funding
- FFCRA: $80 million for Congregate Nutrition Services and $160 million for Home-Delivered Nutrition Services. ACL released this funding in March 2020. State-by-state allocations can be found here.
- CARES Act: $900 million for various OAA programs Older Americans Act (OAA). This funding was released in April 2020. State-by-state allocations can be found here.
- CRRSA: $175 million in emergency funding for senior nutrition programs under the Older Americans Act.
- ARP: $1.4 billion in emergency OAA funding, including $750 million for senior nutrition programs, $460 million for home-and-community-based support services, $45 million for disease prevention, $10 million for the long-term care ombudsman program and $145 million in assistance for grandparents caring for grandchildren. ACL released the ARP funds for OAA on May 4, 2021. Grantees can find answers to many questions about the funding in this FAQ addressing programmatic questions and this updated Fiscal FAQ.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
ACL has provided comprehensive guidance and flexibilities for Older Americans Act programs which can be found here.
ELDER JUSTICE ACT (EJA)
County Role
The Elder Justice Act authorized federal funding for state and local Adult Protective Services (APS) programs, which may be county-run. However, the act has never received funding through the appropriations process.
Emergency Funding
- CRRSA: $100 million to enhance and improve adult protective services provided by States and local units of government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Projected state-by-state allocations can be found here. Awards made under ACL’s funding announcement had an estimated start date of April 1, 2021. A frequently asked questions document from ACL can be found here.
- ARP: $276 million over FY 2021 and FY 2022. ACL issued application instructions for Grants to Enhance Adult Protective Services on May 28, 2021. On September 3, 2021, ACL awarded roughly $85.4 million of the ARP formula funds to state APS programs. State-by-state allocations can be found here.
NEW! On November 16, 2021, ACL issued an updated frequently asked questions (FAQ) document to help state and local APS programs better understand the new funding opportunity.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONJump to Section |
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS
County Role
County governments fully or partially fund school districts in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alaska. Even in states where counties are not responsible for overseeing school districts, county governments share a tax base with those school districts and often provide complementary services to participating children. Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) generally receive federal K-12 funding via formula, though there are certain programs with competitive grant structures.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: Authorized $13.5 billion for a new Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSERF) providing direct formula funding for K-12 Schools and $3 billion in flexible funding for states called the Governors Relief Fund (GRF).
- States were instructed to distribute 90 percent of ESSERF according to the formula for Title I grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 to support coronavirus response activities such as planning for and coordinating during long-term school closures, purchasing educational technology to support online learning for all students and additional activities allowed for under ESEA. The Department of Education (ED) released this funding in April 2020. The state-by-state allocation of this funding can be found here.
- Governors had discretion to allocate GRF grants to local educational agencies that have been most significantly impacted by coronavirus. These funds will support the educational continuity for elementary and secondary school students as well as emergency support for state institutions of higher education. ED released this funding to states in April 2020. The state-by-state allocation of this funding can be found here.
- CRRSA: $54.3 billion for the ESSERF and $4.1 billion for the GRF. The state-by-state allocation of the ESSERF funding can be found here. State allocations for the GRF can be found here, while a fact sheet on assistance reserved for private schools can be found here.
- ARP: $122 billion for ESSERF, as well as $3 billion for Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act grants (IDEA), $2.75 billion for private schools and $800 million for wrap-around services to homeless students.
- Guidance on ESSERF Maintenance of Effort requirement can be found here. Guidance on Maintenance of Equity provisions that are a condition for States and local educational agencies (LEAs) to receive funds under the ARP can be found here.
- One quarter of the ARP Homeless Children and Youth awards (approximately $200 million) were allocated to states in April 2021. States are required to submit plans to claim their allocation of the remaining (approximately $600 million). A list of pending and approved plans can be found here.
- The Department of Education has released a hub for American Rescue Plan funding here.
NEW! On January 18, 2022, ED announced the completion of ARP ESSERF distributions. State plans and allocations can be found here.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
The Department of Education has provided numerous flexibilities to states to respond to the educational challenges presented by COVID-19, including:
- Mandatory Assessments: Though states will not be allowed to cancel federally mandated standardized exams for the 2020-2021 school year despite the pandemic, they will be offered significant flexibility in how they give those tests and how they are used.
- ESEA Funding Flexibility: State Education Agencies may apply for waivers to be able to approve funding flexibilities for Local Education Agencies, such as carrying over Title I funds, expanding the definition of professional development to allow for trainings focused on distance learning and allowing broader use of Title IV funding. More details can be found here.
- COVID-19 Handbook: The Department has issued a two-volume handbook to provide strategies for safely reopening all of America's schools. Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools focused on health and safety measures. Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs focuses on promoting educational equity by addressing opportunity gaps that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The Department has also developed a reopening clearinghouse with best practices.
HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
County Role
Local property taxes are overwhelmingly the main source of local funding for community colleges in roughly half of the nation’s states, creating a shared tax base with county governments. Community colleges may also receive funding through other local levies, allocations from local school districts and support from local government, including county boards.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: created a $14 billion Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) 90 percent of which went to institutions (which were directed to use at least half of the funding for direct aid to students) on a formula that includes the relative shares of Federal Pell Grant recipients. These funds have been disbursed.
- CRRSA: $22.7 billion for the HEERF, with 90 percent allocated to institutions utilizing a similar formula CARES Act with a new addition factoring in the shares of Federal Pell and non-Pell Grant recipients exclusively enrolled in distance education prior to the coronavirus emergency. These funds were released on January 21, 2021. An allocation table can be found here.
- ARP: $39.5 billion for the HEERF. The Department of Education released these funds on May 11, 2021. Additional details can be found here.
NEW! On January 20, 2022, ED announced that it will be inviting applications next week for a $198 million grant opportunity under the HEERF to support colleges and universities with the greatest unmet needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In awarding funds, the Department will prioritize community colleges and rural institutions of higher education that serve a high percentage of low-income students and have experienced enrollment declines since the start of the pandemic. More information can be found here.
Key Administrative Flexibilities
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness: The Department of Education has paused federal student loan interest and collections to all defaulted loans in the Federal Family Education (FFEL) program. On March 30, 2021, the Department expanded the 0 percent interest rate and pause of collections activity to 1.14 million borrowers who defaulted on a privately held FFEL program, retroactive to March 13, 2020. The Department will work to automatically return any tax refunds seized or wages garnished over the past year. Borrowers who made voluntary payments on any of these loans during the past year will have the option to request a refund of those amounts.
NEW! On April 6, 2022, President Biden announced an extension of pandemic relief for federal student loan borrowers through August 31, 2022.
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY: INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICEJump to Section |
ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS
County Role
County governments do not play a formal role in administering federal Economic Impact Payments. However, as the front line of the social safety net and key partners in poverty-reduction with the federal government, county officials can offer outreach and education to assist vulnerable residents in accessing the full range of available supports. Additionally, many county governments modeled their own assistance programs around federal EIPs during the pandemic.
Emergency Funding
- CARES Act: Authorized Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), more commonly referred to as stimulus checks. These onetime, direct financial assistance payments of $1,200 went to individuals with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) up to $75,000 or $2,400 for married couples with combined AGI up to $150,000. Payments increased by an additional $500 per qualifying child. IRS determined benefit levels and eligibility by using 2019 income tax filings and 2018 tax data and Social Security data when 2019 filings were not available. Non-tax-filers were able to claim an EIP by using an IRS portal; those who did not do so by the November 21st deadline were able to apply receive a payment in 2021 when filing a 2020 tax return.
- CRRSA: A new round of EIPs worth $600 per individual (including qualifying children) following the same income eligibility guidelines established under the CARES Act. Treasury began delivering this second round of payments on December 29, 2020.
- ARP: A new round of EIPs based on 2019 tax returns worth $1,400 per individual (including child and non-child dependents up to age 17), up to $75,000 income threshold level for individuals and $150,000 for married filers, with an accelerated phase-out for higher-income earners capped at $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for married income. These payments were sent in phases. Individuals who did not get the EIP or got less than the full amount may be eligible to file for a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax return. Find more information here.
NEW! Individuals who did not get the EIP or got less than the full amount may be eligible to file for a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax return. Find more information here.
REFUNDABLE TAX CREDITS
County Role
County governments do not play a formal role in administering federal tax credits. However, as the front line of the social safety net and key partners in poverty-reduction with the federal government, county officials can offer outreach and education to assist vulnerable residents in accessing the full range of available supports for which they are eligible, as well as partner with community based organizations to provide free tax filing assistance.
Emergency Funding
- ARP: Temporarily increases and expands access to various refundable tax credits, including:
- Child Tax Credit (CTC): in 2021, expands the CTC to $3,000 per child aged 6-17 ($3,600 for children under age 6) and makes the credit fully refundable in 2021 (ensuring that very low-income households, previously locked out of accessing the credit, can claim the full value.) Eligible families received the option to claim the first half of the credit via advance monthly payments.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): in 2021, increases the EITC for childless workers by up to $1,000 and expands the minimum and maximum age for claiming the credit.
- Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC): in 2021, expands the CDCTC, making it refundable (therefore available to lower-income employees) and increasing the maximum rate by 50 percent.
NEW! Eligible families received their last Advance monthly CTC payments on December 15, 2021. In total, families received more than 200 million payments totaling more than $93 billion during 2021. Families who did not receive any advance CTC payments may file for the full amount on their 2021 tax return, while those who received the advance payments will need to file a return to claim the remainder. Learn more at www.getctc.org.
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC)Jump to Section |
E-RATE PROGRAM
County Role
The schools and libraries universal service support program, commonly known as the E-rate program, helps schools and libraries to obtain affordable broadband. Nationwide, more than 900 public library systems are organized as part of their county government, meaning counties may be eligible to apply for these funds. During the pandemic, counties have also contributed local dollars and federal relief funds to help students without at-home internet attend virtual school.
Emergency Funds
ARP: $7.2 billion for an Emergency Connectivity Fund within the E-Rate program. Eligible schools and libraries will be able to use the funds for connectivity and purchase of Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers and connected devices. On May 10, 2021 the FCC unanimously adopted final rules to implement the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.
NEW! On April 28, 2022, the FCC will open a third application filing window for the ECF Program to award at least $1 billion in remaining ECF support and address outstanding demand. The third application filing window will close on Friday, May 13, 2022. During this filing window, applicants will be able to submit ECF requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and up to 12 months of service between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 for students, school staff, and library patrons with unmet needs. Learn more here.
EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT (EBB)
County Role
The digital divide disproportionately impacts low-income households, who due to affordability issues have lower rates of technology adoption and access to broadband internet at home. This disparity creates additional barriers to accessing public benefits, employment opportunities, digital learning, telehealth services and opportunities for civic engagement, negatively impacting county economies, health outcomes and quality of life. Learn more about the work of counties to improve access to broadband here.
Emergency Funds
- CRRSA: $3.2 billion for a temporary EBB program to provide support for broadband services and certain devices to help low-income households stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide discounts of up to $50 for internet service for low-income households and discounts of up to $75 for service on tribal lands. Eligible residents will also have the opportunity to receive a discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet. On May 10, 2021 the FCC launched the EBB Program. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, as well as outreach materials, visit the FCC’s EBB information page.
NEW! As part of the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress extended and modified the EBB program as part of a new $14.2 billion Affordable Connectivity Program effective January 1, 2022. Learn more here.