FAQs BASED ON CALL WITH ACL AND STATE UNIT ON AGING DIRECTORS ON APRIL 8, 2020 

# FAQs based on call with acl and state unit on aging directors on april 8, 2020 

## Various Topics (Issued 4/14/2020)

April 14, 2020

ACL is issuing these FAQs that were raised on a call with State Unit on Aging Directors on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.  

# Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

**Question:**

Is there anything ACL can do to educate FEMA, CDC and others to get a blanket message out that direct care workers and home delivered providers need PPE?

**Answer:**

ACL has had advocacy success in getting our aging services network - that includes direct services workers - included in the designation of health care workers for the purpose of accessing PPE.  However, governors and state emergency management units make the final decisions regarding what entities within a state will receive PPE.  Please continue to work directly within your states to get PPE for your partners.

# Reporting Requirements

**Question:**

When will ACL provide the states with the reporting requirements for the new COVID-19 Supplemental Funding?

**Answer:**

ACL is a strong advocate to ensure the amount of reporting burden is not increased.  However, the CARES Act has specific reporting requirements. The Department of Health and Human Services is working with the Office of Management and Budget to determine how much flexibility can be granted to states related to reporting requirements.

# Fiscal

**Question:**

Do states with a ‘major disaster declaration’ have maximum spending flexibility for COVID-19 expenses through the ability to use any funds allocated under Title III of the OAA and any supplemental COVID-19 funds towards those expenses?

**Answer:**

Yes. Also, see Fiscal FAQs for more information.

https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/common/AoA%20-%20Fiscal%20FAQs%20Updates%20FINAL%204-8-2020_0.docx

Related Questions:

1. What happens if states do not spend the COVID-19 supplemental funds by the end of this federal fiscal year? 

· States have until September 30, 2021, to spend COVID-19 supplemental funds.  Be on the lookout for information from your Regional Administrator (RA) regarding a meeting, with SUA directors, SUA fiscal officers, RAs, and ACL fiscal staff regarding the most prudent way to spend COVID-19 funds during the time that it is available. 

2. When can states expect the Notice of Awards from the CARES ACT?

· Within the next thirteen days from April 8, 2020.

3. Can ACL waive the 20% funding cap for Title III-E that can go towards supplemental services?

· There is no funding cap for supplemental services.  Some states have policies and procedures to cap supplemental services which emanated from a common guide when the program first began because there were five categories of service – thereby allocating 20% of the funding to each of the five services.  However, the OAA does not require a state to cap supplemental services at 20%.  

# Nutrition

**Question:**

Can states use OAA Title III-B funds to purchase additional freezer capacity for meals?

**Answer:**

Yes.  States can use Title III-B funds for this purpose, but also can use Title III-C funds because it is related to the provision of nutrition services.

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