COVID–19 Response Funding
Frequently Asked Questions

The $200 million is for planning, preparation, and response to the coronavirus, or COVID–19 outbreak.

The Minnesota Legislature approved $200 million for health care grants to support costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 outbreak.

• The $150 million COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant were intended to cover costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to the COVID–19 outbreak.
  
  
  • Close to $140 million has been awarded thus far to assisted living facilities, health care clinics, health centers (FHQCs), hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, transportation services (ambulance services), and tribal health.
  
  
  • $10 million of the $150 COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant was being funded through the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.
  
  
  • Applications were accepted from April through August 2020. The application portal is now closed.


• The $50 million COVID–19 Response Grant for Short Term Emergency Funding was available on an emergency basis to provide cash flow relief to health care organizations covering their highest priority needs. This grant application process is now closed and dispersed. Information about organizations that received funding through this program can be viewed on the COVID–19 Response Grant for Short Term Emergency Funding webpage.

Yes. The legislature approved $200 million which was split into two funding streams:

1. The $50 million COVID–19 Response Grant for Short Term Emergency Funding was available on an emergency basis to provide cash flow relief to health care organizations covering their highest priority needs. This grant application process is now closed and dispersed. Information about organizations that received funding through this program can be viewed on the COVID–19 Response Grant for Short Term Emergency Funding webpage.


2. The $150 million COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant is now closed.

Email COVIDgrantinfo.MDH@state.mn.us if you have general questions about the COVID–19 Response Funding.

The application portal is now closed. But if you still have questions about the application process, please email COVIDgrantapplication.MDH@state.mn.us.

Both funding streams are to be spent for the following purposes:

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)

You can spend the funds as soon as you receive them. Each entity that is awarded funds will sign a grant agreement that provides additional detail.

The COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant can cover costs incurred on or after March 18, for eligible activities that began on or after March 18, 2020.

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.

Salary can be ineligible if required documentation is missing; cannot be linked to COVID-19 responses; are administrative or medical billing; are pastoral care or religious staff not medically trained and performing clinical services.

No. Incentives, bonuses and stand–by–pay are not eligible salary expenses.

No. They are not.

The following entities were eligible.

• Ambulance services (licensed under MS 144E)
• Health care clinics
• Pharmacies
• Home health care
• Hospice
• 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

The RFP and online application for the $150 million COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant became available in April. It is is now closed.

The COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant began accepting applications for the COVID–19 funding in April. The application cycle is now closed.

The COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant began accepting applications for the COVID–19 funding in April. The application cycle is now closed.

SWIFT is the StateWide Integrated Financial Tool. All entities doing business with the State of Minnesota are required to register and obtain a Vendor ID, also called a Supplier ID. Applications for this grant must include a valid Supplier/Vendor ID and Location Code.

To register as a supplier/vendor with the State of Minnesota, please access the Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) supplier/vendor portal website at http://mn.gov/supplier. Click on “Register for Account” then choose “Register as a Supplier” and follow the instructions in the fillable form. Please direct any questions you have to the contacts provided on the MMB website.

If you have questions about obtaining a Vendor/Supplier ID number prior to the submission deadline, please contact: 651.201.8100, Option 1.

If you need to look up your Vendor ID number, please call: 651-296-2600

Vendor Location Codes are associated with your Vendor ID number and are set up in the SWIFT Supplier Portal.

More information is available through Minnesota Management and Budget at https://mn.gov/mmb/accounting/swift/vendor-resources/

The following entities were 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

The Short Term Emergency Funding is now closed. Visit the COVID–19 Short Term Emergency Funding webpage for a list of organizations that were funded.

The COVID-19 Health Care Response Grant is now closed. Visit the COVID–19 Health Care Response Grant webpage for a list of organizations that were funded.

A system can submit one application on behalf of the facilities in the system, but must make it clear how the funds are intended to be distributed. This description can be noted in the budget narrative section and in the narrative boxes by each item. The applicant should also include a facility by facility explanation in the box at the end of the application where applicants are asked to describe their priorities if full funding isn’t available at this time. Organizations that are part of a larger system should ensure that there is a clear plan for submitting applications across the system, to avoid duplicate applications.

SWIFT is the StateWide Integrated Financial Tools. All entities doing business with the State of Minnesota are required to register and obtain a Vendor ID.

Information is available through Minnesota Management and Budget at https://mn.gov/mmb/accounting/swift/vendor-resources/

If you need to look up your vendor number, please call: 651-296-2600

If your organization doesn’t have a Vendor ID number, also called a Supplier ID, set up with the State, you can still apply for funding! However, you should apply for a Vendor/Supplier ID immediately, as processing and account validation takes some time and the ID needs to be in place at the time the grant agreement is issued. Instructions can be found at: http://mn.gov/supplier. Click on “Register for Account” then choose “Register as a Supplier” and follow the instructions in the fillable form.

If you need to look up your vendor number, please call: 651-296-2600