Thanks to Edie Mesick of UJA-Federation of NY’s Government Relations Department for digesting and distributing information on this opportunity. The latest information can be found immediately below. Scroll down for the information on the grant.

Additional information has been posted by NYS OCFS on the Federal SSBG RFP opportunity for funding for certain Superstorm Sandy losses not covered by other resources. Use this link to view the Q&A post.

From our brief review, of particular interest are the following points:

1. Houses of Worship and Parochial and private schools are eligible to apply for this funding (assuming that the services are provided to a population that was directly impacted by Sandy and that the program meets all other eligibility requirements).
2. Insurance deductibles are eligible for reimbursement under the Sandy SSBG.
3. For sites that were damaged that you rent, the entity responsible for the building would have to be an eligible applicant.

Use this link to view the bidder’s conference and access the PowerPoint used during the conference, for more insight that might help you in determining whether to apply for this funding.

Hint: In order to be considered for this grant all not-for-profit organizations must be prequalified in the Grants Gateway by the time of contract award. To register go here.

Superstorm Sandy Social Services Block Grant (SandySSBG)

NYS has $200,034,600 in federal Superstorm Sandy Social Services Block Grant (Sandy SSBG) funding for eligible health and human services providers. Sandy SSBG resources are dedicated to covering necessary expenses resulting from Superstorm Sandy, including social, health and mental health services for individuals, and for repair, renovation and rebuilding of health care facilities, mental hygiene facilities, child care facilities and other social services facilities.

Sandy SSBG funding must be used for costs that are 1) directly related to Superstorm Sandy and populations that were impacted by it; and 2) not reimbursed and not currently eligible for reimbursement by the federal government (including FEMA), private insurance and any other public or private funding sources. Duplication of benefits is prohibited.

New York will allocate Sandy SSBG funding to address four Focus Areas:

1. Repair, renovation and rebuilding;
2. Uncompensated operational costs, including provision of critical services during/after Superstorm Sandy [NOTE: Based on the determination of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Sandy SSBG funding may not be granted to compensate a facility or provider for revenue loss due to the impact of Superstorm Sandy. This area is meant to cover the additional costs associated with services needed because of the impact of the storm or the cost of moving or relocating clientele.];
3. Ongoing support and social services for those impacted by Superstorm Sandy; and
4. Flexibility to ensure that additional eligible social service needs resulting from Superstorm Sandy can be addressed.

It is our understanding that where insurance claims for storm damage have not yet been settled at the time of application for the RFP, those potential costs could still be included in the application, with later documentation submitted to show that SSBG funds are actually used only for any portion of claims not covered.

Eligible costs include the traditional SSBG-funded services:

The Sandy SSBG supplemental appropriation also allows funding to be used for:

• Renovation, repair and rebuilding services
• Health care and mental health services, including costs associated with service delivery as well as the operational cost of sustaining the ability to provide such services in order to subsequently reopen facilities entirely shut down as a result of Superstorm Sandy

Use this link for the RFP and additional information: http://www.nysandyhelp.ny.gov/content/sandy-social-services-block-grant-ssbg-funding