The funding categories are being monitored by St. Louis County. Check back with this page often as the content will be updated.
HEALTH CARE/SOCIAL SERVICES
Broadly, this category includes:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding designated for Federally-Qualified Health Center Program ($2 billion); Child Care Development Block Grant ($2 billion); Head Start and Early Head Start Programs ($2.1 billion) and the Community Services Block Grant ($1 billion)
Due to stimulus funding, several changes have occurred in federal reimbursement schedules that will positively impact St. Louis County. Federal Medical Assistance Program (FMAP) payment share has increased for payments from 2008-2010. This will result in additional reimbursement to St. Louis County for these clients. In addition, the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) restores the federal match for Title IV-D child support.
There are two ways in which citizens in St. Louis County will benefit from Health Care/Social Services ARRA funding. The first way is through funding that is available to help individuals injured by the economic downturn, for example through extended unemployment benefits available through the state unemployment office and through new COBRA provisions that helps these individuals extend their health care benefits. ARRA funding also has expanded eligibility for the Food Support Program.
Unemployment Insurance: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides a temporary increase of $25 weekly in unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. The temporary $25 supplement is not counted for federally funded health care programs. This $25 supplemental payment is available to persons eligible for UI between February 22, 2009, and December 31, 2009. Persons who receive UI prior to January 1, 2010, and remain eligible for UI after that date, will continue receiving the supplemental payment until their benefits are exhausted or June 30, 2010, whichever comes first.
COBRA Premium Payments: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) includes a provision that subsidizes 65 percent of the COBRA premium for certain individuals and their families so that indivudals who lose their jobs or are laid off can get help in continuing health care. The federal government will pay up to 6 5% of the cost to allow individuals to continue to access employer-based health coverage if they lose their job. To be eligible for the ARRA subsidy, the individual must be involuntarily terminated from employment between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, must be eligible for COBRA as a result of that termination, and elect COBRA coverage. Individuals who did not elect COBRA coverage before ARRA’s enactment had a second opportunity to elect COBRA coverage following ARRA’s enactment. The ARRA subsidy is available beginning February 17, 2009, for up to nine months or until December 31, 2010, whichever comes first. The subsidy is paid directly to the employer or health plan administrator. The Minnesota COBRA Premium Subsidy supplements the federal ARRA subsidy by paying the remaining 35 percent of the COBRA premium. People can apply online or get more information at: http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/healthcare/COBRA
Food Support Benefits: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 raises the Food Support benefit levels and makes changes to the status of Able Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs). 1.) Effective April 1, 2009 there will be a 13.6 percent increase to the maximum Food Support benefit level. 2.) Beginning April 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, ABAWDs will not be subject to the 3 out of 36 month time limit. In addition, beginning on October 1, 2010, any ABAWDs that have used months in the past 36 months will have their ABAWD months cleared and will begin new.
Crisis Funds: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided added dollars to assist low income families with children to receive more emergency assistance dollars, used mainly for rent deposits, rent payments, utilities and utility deposits, and other emergencies which might result in eviction. The St. Louis County Crisis Funds policy was updated in October of 2008 to prepare for this influx of money, making eligibility broader in order to reach more families in need.
On April 9, St. Louis County received initial notification of a formulary allocation of $74,573 through FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
At the May 20, 2009 meeting of the St. Louis County Emergency Food and Shelter Board meeting, additional ARRA funds were allocated to county emergency food and shelter agencies to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas within the county. This board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds under the ARRA program. St. Louis County has been chosen to receive an additional $74,753 beyond the Phase 27 funding, and these funds were allocated to the agencies represented by the Board. County emergency food and shelter agencies reported increased utilization of their facilities and services, and noted that the extra funding was much needed in helping to defray increasing aid requests likely due to a sluggish economy and increasing unemployment throughout regions of St. Louis County.
The second major category of Health Care/Social Services ARRA funding helps states and/or counties continue to administer and deliver needed services.
Enhanced Federal Funding: In July of 2009, St. Louis County’s Public Health and Human Service department received $62,816 in enhanced funding for administration of the Food Support Program, intended to help offset the increased number of applicants for assistance caused by the economic downturn. This was a one-time payment, and no further funds will be awarded.
There are some other changes that assist St. Louis County in continuing to operate these programs by providing federal funding that offsets State reductions. These dollars fund and extend funding to programs that are of significant economic benefit to the people of St. Louis County. For example, there is an increase in reimbursement for some Medicaid services from 50% to 61+%.
Child Support: A project to streamline the review and modification of processes for child support orders is under way at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). The project aims to make it easier and less expensive for parents and child support offices to change child support orders. DHS’ Child Support Enforcement Division was awarded a three-year demonstration grant in October by the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement for the project.