ACF Members Are Reminded That Applications for EQUAL Funding Are Due March 22nd
The Department of Health (DOH) on March 10th issued an addendum to the previously issued Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) and instructions extending the deadline for submission of the application for Enhancing the Quality of Adult Living (EQUAL) Program funds to 5 p.m. on Mon., March 22, 2021. The addendum stresses that the application will be unavailable at 5:01 p.m. on Mon., March 22, 2021, and that applications submitted via hard copy or incomplete applications (i.e., those that do not include all required materials) are ineligible for funding. LeadingAge NY stresses the importance of submitting a complete application by the due date and time, as the Department has not been willing to make exceptions.
LeadingAge NY had advocated for an extension to the initial deadline of March 15th and was pleased to get more time for our members. We did urge the Department to consider further extending the deadline, but to date they have been unwilling. As such, members who are eligible for this funding should be working to prepare the application for the March 22nd deadline.
We have posed several questions to DOH regarding the application. Unfortunately, they are unable to provide any guidance on the amount of funds that may be available, which makes it particularly challenging to put forth a proposal for the new capital projects aspect of the application. Past years' funding can provide a guide; however, we are uncertain how the new format of the program will affect funding allocations.
Any questions about the application should be directed to DOH’s Georgina Raus at 518-408-1133 or by email at equal@health.ny.gov.
Background and Eligibility
Operators of Adult Homes and Enriched Housing Programs who provide services to individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplemental Program (SSP) benefits, Safety Net (SN) assistance, and/or Medicaid are eligible for EQUAL Program payments. The purpose of this program is to enhance the quality of care and life experience for those residents. Funds will not be awarded to subsidize daily operational expenses such as staffing or utilities. All facility operators who successfully apply will receive a per-person amount based on the number of SSI, SSP, SN, and/or Medicaid beneficiaries currently residing in the facility. An additional funding allotment will be provided to facilities with a capacity of 100 beds and under.
Important Details
As has been the case in the past, a facility must receive approval of its proposed expenditure plan from the residents' council for the facility and submit an attestation to that effect. As you may recall, last year’s budget process changed the EQUAL Program, bifurcating it into two separate programs, one being for capital and the other being for more programmatic and services purposes. Given the new element of this program and the requirements to comply with all conditions, members are encouraged to review the DAL and instructions carefully.
Applications must be electronically submitted on the Health Commerce System (HCS). Applications that do not include all required materials by 5 p.m. on Mon., March 22nd may be deemed incomplete and ineligible for funding.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828