Monday numbers: A closer look at where millions in federal COVID-19 relief dollars will go in NC

Last week the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act became law, the third phase of federal aid for states struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This week the North Carolina General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division prepared a summary of the impact of these federal relief bills on Health and Human Services in North Carolina.

Today, we look at the allocations of federal money to the state and how it will be used:

$13.8 million — For support and expansion of critical public health activities, largely through local health departments: epidemiology, surveillance; laboratory; case identification; risk assessment, supplies, shipping, staffing, distribution and use of medical material; emergency operations and coordination; risk communication.The money can’t be used for research, clinical care (with specified exceptions), publicity and lobbying. 

$13.9 million — To the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which assists low-income pregnant women or mothers with young children

$22.2 million — Additional funding for nutrition services that support older adults and home-delivered meals for individuals who can’t access food because of social distancing

$210 million – $225 million — Quarterly allocation for Medicaid and NC Health Choice. An estimated $30 million – $35 million per quarter goes to hospitals based on current enrollment and other uses.

$27.9 million — A boost to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, $8.2 million of which goes to administration, $19.7 million for food. The Department of Agriculture will distribute the food to local food banks.

$117.3 million — This funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant is to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. The bills encourage states to place conditions on payments to child care providers to ensure they use a portion of the money to continue to pay their staffs.

$50.9 million — To the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps with costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs.

$18.2 million —  Head Start can use most of these funds for supplemental summer programs through non-competitive grants to groups most ready to operate those programs. 

$2.3 million — Amount for Centers for Independent Living (CIL),  private nonprofit agencies that provide independent living services.

$25.9 million — Social services and emergency assistance agencies serving the neediest people can receive money from a Community Services Block Grant funded in part by these appropriations.

Source: Fiscal Research Division