Hazard Pay Grants Now Available for Front-Line Workers
in Life-Sustaining Industries
Governor Tom Wolf announced 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. Child care is identified as an Eligible Industry within
the Guidelines
.
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 Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Businesses may apply for grants up to a maximum of $3 million.
Grant funds may be used for hazard pay for direct, full-time and part-time employees earning less than $20/hour, excluding fringe benefits and overtime for the 10-week period from August 16, 2020, to October 24, 2020. Applicants may apply for up to $1,200 per eligible full-time equivalent (FTE) employee. Employers may apply for a grant to provide hazard pay for up to 500 eligible full-time equivalent employees per location.
Eligible applicants may apply for grants using the online DCED Electronic Single Application for Assistance located at
www.esa.dced.state.pa.us
from July 16, 2020, to July 31, 2020. Program inquiries may be directed to (717) 787-6245 or
ra-dcedcbf@pa.gov.
