National First Responder COVID-19 Grant Relief Program

 #HereForYou 

The National First Responder COVID-19 Grant Relief Program, hosted by the National Police Foundation, has been established to provide financial support to first responders and their families in need during the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

This program provides first responders an opportunity to request a grant of up to $1,000 to reimburse select expenses related to COVID-19, such as mental health and wellness costs, (i.e. counseling services, suicide prevention), unanticipated dependent care, disinfecting services, and similar costs. These micro-grants may be awarded in an amount up to $1,000.  

Applications will be reviewed by the National Police Foundation, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) 9-1-1 Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE). The National Police Foundation will be distributing the grants directly to the recipient.

We hope this program can make a difference for thousands of first responders across the country—providing them a place to turn to for support during these very challenging times. Together, we are #HereForYou.

To apply, multiple questions will follow that will assist us in understanding your needs and then reviewing the type of support you are in need of. Providing answers to all questions is essential to ensure that this support gets to those who need it most when they need it. 

Important:

• Please note that the National First Responder COVID-19 Grant Relief Program will be closing on April 10th, 2021. If you are an eligible first responder and you would like to be considered for a grant through this program please complete your application before 11:59 pm EST on April 10th. Applications received after this date will NOT be reviewed for approval. 
• You will need to create a free Submittable account  in order to submit to these forms. 
• You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the form at a later date. 
• Please be aware that proper documentation for each support type is required. If proper documentation is not submitted, your application will be denied.  In order to reapply after you receive a denial, you will have to submit another application
• The documentation must match the amount requested in order to be eligible to receive the full requested amount. 
• If multiple types of services are requested (dependent care, mental health, etc.), but you do not upload proper documentation for each service, only the services with proper documentation will be reviewed for approval.
• Lost wages are not covered under this grant.
• We will follow-up with you about your submission by email. Please be sure the email address you used to sign up for your Submittable Account is one that you check regularly. 
• Please reach out to Submittable's Customer Support team with any technical questions at support@submittable.com 

Eligibility and Program Requirements:

First Responder:

For the purpose of the Grant Program, a first responder may be a sworn law enforcement officer, corrections/detention officer, firefighter, EMS provider, emergency communications professional (dispatcher/call taker), essential civilian staff member in a public safety agency that is required to work during the public health emergency. This includes first responders who have been furloughed or laid off as result of COVID-19 since March 1, 2020. 

Survivor: 

For the purpose of the Grant Program, a survivor is defined as an immediate family member of a fallen/incapacitated first responder who has died or became incapacitated in the line of duty including as a result of COVID-19 or possible COVID-19 exposure. Survivors are recognized in the following order: spouse; child(ren); or surviving parent(s). Eligible children include any biological natural, out-of-wedlock, adopted or posthumous child, or stepchild. 

First responders (defined broadly) are eligible for reimbursement, or, in the case of a first responder who has become incapacitated or deceased, a designated beneficiary may be eligible. Basic eligibility affecting all applicants include:

• All beneficiaries (first responders/survivors) must reside in the U.S. (to include U.S. Territories and Tribal Lands).
• Beneficiaries must be at least 18 years of age.
• If electronic payment is issued, a U.S. bank must receive the deposit.
• Applicants must be either a first responder or a survivor of a fallen or incapacitated first responder, as defined in the application.
• Having recently received any other financial assistance, such as a state or federal grant is not a disqualifier for this program. 
• Recipients are ineligible to receive more than one award/grant.
• This grant is only for individual first responders, not agencies.
• There can only be one recipient per household.
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Funding decisions are anticipated within 20 business days of submission and are final. Once approved, you should receive payment within 10 business days.
• Applications will be peer reviewed with support from partner organizations. 
• Identifying information and other details marked as private within the application will not be shared outside of the National Police Foundation's "COVID-19 First Responder Grant Relief Team."

Support Provided for the Following:

·  Additional mental health and wellness costs. (Up to $1000)

·  Unanticipated dependent care due to COVID-19 response deployment. (Up to $800)

·  Additional home decontamination/disinfecting services/expenses due to COVID-19. (Up to $350)

·  Additional health & diagnosis costs. (Up to $800)

·  Additional costs associated with families with dependents with special needs. (Up to $800)

·  Other cost(s) associated with COVID-19 duties/deployment that impact health and wellness of responder and/or his/her immediate family. (Up to $350)

·  Isolation lodging due to COVID-19. (Up to $800)