Child Care Providers Eligible for PA Hazard Pay Grants

Governor Tom Wolf announced on July 16 the availability of $50 million in grant funding to help employers provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hazard pay is intended to keep front-line employees working in vital industry sectors across Pennsylvania.

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Within the guidelines, child care is identified as an eligible industry (Health and Social Assistance). Created through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this reimbursement-based grant is available to employers offering hazard pay during the eligible program period and will be administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

Employers can apply for up to $3 million in funding. Grant funds can be used for hazard pay for direct, full-time and part-time employees earning less than $20/hour, excluding fringe benefits and overtime.

Funds can only be used to pay hazard pay for eligible employees for the 10-week period from August 16, 2020 through October 24, 2020. Hazard pay means additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship, in each case that is related to COVID-19.

Applicants can apply for up to $1,200 per eligible full-time equivalent employee. The hazard pay must be paid to the eligible employee over the 10-week period of August 16, 2020 through October 24, 2020 as a $3/hour hazard pay increase to their regular pay rate. Employers can apply for a grant to provide hazard pay for up to 500 eligible full-time equivalent employees per location ($600,000 maximum grant per location).

Applications will be received between July 16, 2020 and July 31, 2020. To apply for funding, applications must be submitted through the Electronic Single Application (ESA).

Program inquiries should be directed to 717.787.6245 or ra-dcedcbf@pa.gov.