Zahra Ahmad
MLive.com, Walker, Mich.
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Treasurer Rachael Eubanks on Wednesday announced two new grant programs offering a total of $300 million in hazard pay to first responders for working during the coronavirus pandemic.
The First Responder Hazard Pay Premiums and the Public Safety and Public Health Pay Roll Reimbursement programs are aimed at helping first responders receive premium hazard pay and reimbursing local governments for payroll costs incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a July 8 state news release.
The money comes from federal coronavirus relief funds appropriated by the state July 1.
“Our first responders and those public employees on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic are performing a critical public service for all Michiganders,” Eubanks said. “Supporting our first responders with funding is vital to keep Michigan safe. These dollars will also help our communities receive some budget relief.”
Local units of government can now apply for funding from either program.
The First Responders Hazard Pay Premiums Program has $100 million to help fund any additional compensation to first responders. Eligible employees must have done work involving “physical hardship” during the pandemic.
No single applicant can receive more than $5 million in funding, the state says. Cities, villages, townships, counties, public airport operators and certain ambulance operators can be given $1,000 per eligible employee. Applicants are funded on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the press release.
The Public Safety and Public Health Payroll Reimbursement Program makes available $200 million to reimburse cities, villages, townships and counties for eligible public safety and public health payroll expenditures incurred from April 2020 to July 2020.
Cities, villages, townships, and counties can participate in the program if they have eligible public safety and public health payroll expenditures. This program could have two application rounds.
The first application round will be available for reimbursement of April and May 2020 eligible payroll expenditures. If funding is available after the first application round is completed, a second application round will be available for reimbursement of the June and July 2020 eligible payroll expenditures.
Applications and more information on both programs can be found here.
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