Assurance Services • Published 5/21/2020 Louisiana Initiates Plans for the Coronavirus Relief Funds for Local Governments

Last updated on 5/21/2020

Louisiana’s Division of Administration has outlined plans for administering its share of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).

Approximately $810 million (45% of the $1.8 billion awarded to the State) has been allocated for local government units (defined as a parish, municipality, town, township, village, or other unit of general government below the State level with parish-wide jurisdiction). Entities that do not fit the definition of local government unit should apply for reimbursement through their parish governments.

The State will distribute CRF assistance through several funding rounds, with the first round covering eligible expenditures related to the COVID-19 pandemic for the period March 1 - April 30, 2020. As a general rule, reimbursable costs cannot have been included in a government’s most recently approved budget and be incurred in preparation, mitigation of, response to or recovery from the pandemic; however, clarifying guidance issued by the Treasury offers practical expedients that make certain costs reimbursable that governments may not have otherwise considered.

To begin the reimbursement process, each local government agency must complete the form at www.LouisianaCARES.la.gov in order to request a user ID. The State will accept applications for the first funding round for a two-week period beginning June 1, 2020.

As the program evolves and reimbursement applications are submitted, questions will arise and developments will occur. P&N is committed to staying abreast of these developments and assisting your entity in maximizing its potential cost recovery from this program. Stay tuned for further guidance and clarification as additional information becomes available. If you have questions or need assistance with the application for reimbursement process, please contact one of P&N’s Governmental Niche Team members or call us at 800-259-2922.