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COVID–19 Response Grant for Short Term Emergency Funding
Updated: February 23, 1:00 p.m.
Index
- About the Short Term Emergency Funding
- COVID–19 grant funding tool
- Grant eligible and ineligible expenses
- Grant reporting guidance
- List of awards
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact
About the Short Term Emergency Funding
In March, Minnesota lawmakers passed an emergency law authorizing $200 million be used to support eligible health care costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to the outbreak of COVID–19. $50 million was set aside as short term emergency funding to provide immediate emergency cash flow relief to health care organizations covering their highest priority needs in the first few weeks of the COVID–19 outbreak. MDH received more than 1,600 grant applications requesting more than $300 million.
The Short Term Emergency grant application process is now closed and the Minnesota Department of Health has awarded $50 million in short term emergency funding to about 350 provider organizations across the state. Grant amounts ranged from several hundred dollars to five million dollars.
COVID–19 grant funding tool
Download the COVID–19 Funding Tool (Excel)
Grant Eligible and Ineligible Expenses
- View or download the COVID–19 Response Funding Grant: Eligible and ineligible expenses specific to assisting living HWS & AHC Updated November 10, 2020 (PDF)
- View or download the COVID–19 Grant Reporting Frequently Asked Questions, August 2020 (PDF)
Grant reporting guidance
- COVID–19 Response Funding Financial Report Guidance, Updated August 2020 (PDF)
- Please review the Online Training COVID–19 Response Funding Financial Report Guidance to better understand the reporting requirements required for COVID–19 Response Funding grants. This training will walk you through the guidance provided and highlight how to provide your response. If you need further information or have questions, email COVIDgrantinfo.MDH@state.mn.us
- The training is offered through the MDH Learning Center and is easy to access. Click on these links to get started:
- COVID–19 Response Funding Program Report Guidance, Updated August 2020 (PDF)
- Please review the Online Training for COVID–19 Response Funding Program Report Guidance to better understand the reporting requirements required for COVID–19 Response Funding grants. This training will walk you through the guidance provided and highlight how to provide your response. If you need further information or have questions, email COVIDgrantinfo.MDH@state.mn.us
- The training is offered through the MDH Learning Center and is easy to access. Click on these links to get started:
- Please use this Expense Summary Template, December 2020 (Excel) in submitting expenses and documentation, or use a similar summary page when submitting your expenses.
List of awards
- Download the list of COVID–19 Response Grant Awards for Short Term Emergency Funding, April 2020 (PDF)
- Download the map of COVID–19 Emergency Funds – Awards by location in Minnesota, April 2020 (PDF)
The grants were awarded to assisted living facilities, health care clinics, health centers (FHQCs), hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, transportation services (ambulance services), and tribal health. Note: Nursing home were eligible to get most expenses covered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Beginning April 14, they were able to apply for the $150 million COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant for items DHS was not able to cover, such as capital improvements.
Frequently asked questions
The funds can be spent in the following ways:
Expanded or modified operations
- The establishment and operation of temporary sites to provide testing services, to provide treatment beds, or to isolate or quarantine affected individuals
- Temporary conversion of space for another purpose that will revert to its original use
- Development and implementation of screening and testing procedures
- Additional emergency transportation of patients
- Development and temporary information technology and systems costs to support patient triage, screening, and telemedicine activities
Staff
- staff overtime and hiring additional staff
- staff training and orientation
- Expenses related to the isolation or quarantine of staff (these expenses must not include payment of wages for the staff being isolated or quarantined)
Supplies
- purchasing consumable protective or treatment supplies and equipment to protect or treat staff, visitors, and patients
- purchasing replacement parts or filters for medical equipment that are necessary for the equipment's operation
- specialty cleaning supplies for facilities and equipment
Other
- patient outreach activities
- other expenses that, in the judgment of the commissioner, cannot reasonably be expected to generate income for the recipient of the funds after the outbreak ends
View or download the COVID–19 Response Funding Grant: Eligible and ineligible expenses (eligibility specific to assisted living HWS & AHC) Updated November 10, 2020 (PDF)
The following entities are eligible.
- Ambulance services (licensed under MS 144E)
- Health care clinics
- Pharmacies
- Health care facilities and long–term care facilities, including but not limited to:
- Hospitals
- Nursing facilities
- Settings at which assisted living services or health care services are or may be provided
- Health systems
Nursing home were eligible to get most expenses covered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). They will be able to apply for the upcoming COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant for items that DHS was not able to cover, such as capital improvements.
After dispersing the Short Term Emergency funding, the remaining $150 million in COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant was intended to cover costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. Applicants were invited to apply online from April through August. The application portal is now closed.
The COVID–19 Short Term Emergency Funding grant can cover costs incurred on or after March 3, for eligible activities that began on or after March 3, 2020.
For more information
- If you have questions about the application process, email: COVIDgrantapplication.MDH@state.mn.us
- If you have questions about the COVID–19 Response Funding, email: COVIDgrantinfo.MDH@state.mn.us
Up–to–date COVID–19 guidance for all Minnesotans can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health's Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) website.