Coronavirus Relief Fund

CRF

Coronavirus Relief Fund

Established in the CARES Act of 2020, the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) provided funding for states and local governments to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

People embracing and smiling while wearing surgical masks

More than $5.1 Billion in Federal Aid

$5.1 billion allocated to New York State Government

An additional $2.4 billion allocated to local governments*

*Includes certain large local governments.

Eligible CRF Expenditures

Critical for the COVID-19 Response Effort

Eligible expenses were necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Expenses Outside of the Original Budget

Eligible expenses were not accounted for in the State budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act).

Incurred During the Height of the Pandemic

Eligible expenses were incurred during the period that began on March 1, 2020 and ended on December 31, 2021.

Breakdown of CRF Funding

How NYS allocated its CRF funding across eligible activities.

Public Health and Safety Personnel — $4.498 billion
Financing - Tax and Revenue Anticipation — $171 million
Public Health and Medical Supplies and Equipment — $159 million
IT and Telecommunication Equipment — $102 million
Planning, Federal Grants Administration, and Analytics — $64 million
PPE and Supplies — $58 million
Rental Assistance — $47 million
Other Agency Expenses — $43 million

CRF Funds Breakdown Details

Public Health and Safety Personnel $4.498 billion

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the State adjusted policies and procedures to ensure the health and safety of New Yorkers, including public employees. CRF funded:

First responders and emergency and safety personnel whose jobs required direct contact with citizens
Department of Health employees dedicated to public health and health care services
Human services workers who provided protective services to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents, including children, families, the elderly, and the disabled

Financing - Tax and Revenue Anticipation $171 million

CRF resources were used to reimburse the State for the cost of financing and short-term borrowing necessary to manage through the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific costs that were reimbursed by the CRF include the financing costs for revenue anticipation notes that were issued in June and July 2020 to meet the State’s cash flow needs. The Federal government’s decision to delay the 2019 income tax filing deadline by three months, from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020, caused an unexpected delay in over $10 billion of State personal income tax receipts, resulting in the need to issue short-term notes.

Public Health and Medical Supplies and Equipment $159 million

Covers public health related costs such as medical supplies and equipment, as well as the Nourish NY food assistance program. Medical equipment includes ventilators, X-ray systems, infusion pumps, BiPAP and CPAP machines, and oxygen concentrators. The State’s Nourish NY program responded to increased food insecurity and a surge in demand at food banks across the State, due to COVID-19, by purchasing surplus agricultural products from farms which could then be distributed through food banks to residents in need.

IT and Telecommunication Equipment $102 million

Includes information technology costs related to sustaining government services to support the public throughout the pandemic.

Planning, Federal Grants Administration, and Analytics $64 million

Includes the Statewide administration of certain COVID-19 Federal grants, as well as the statewide planning and coordination for the State’s recovery and reopening after the COVID-19 lockdown period. Ensuring safe physical distancing in areas with public contact, such as at the Department of Motor Vehicles, required certain precautions and certain safety measures be implemented.

PPE and Supplies $58 million

The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was necessary for the State’s frontline workers and first responders. PPE included a broad range of protective items such as face masks, face shields, gowns, and gloves.

Rental Assistance $47 million

The State provided rental assistance to prevent evictions, which represented significant economic relief to thousands of low- and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.^*

Other Agency Expenses $43 million

Includes other costs incurred by the State in its direct response to COVID-19.

Commitment to Compliance

The U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General (OIG) manages CRF reporting and compliance monitoring. OIG conducts desk reviews to evaluate prime recipients’ documentation supporting the uses of CRF proceeds.

DOB, New York State’s prime CRF recipient, collaborated with State agencies and authorities to collect expenditure data and substantiating documentation. DOB submitted reports according to OIG requirements demonstrating that funds were appropriately used.

Learn More

Review this data on the Federal government’s Pandemic Response Accountability Committee’s website. Filter by New York State.

See the website