LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAMS

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental 

Appropriations Act of 2021

February 1, 2021 

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is establishing the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental

Appropriations Act of 2021: Grants to Enhance Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs to respond to COVID-19 funding 

opportunity to implement Section 2043(a) of Subtitle B of Title XX of the Social Security Act, otherwise known as the 

Elder Justice Act (EJA). In accordance with these statutes, the purpose of this opportunity is to enhance and improve

Ombudsman program services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following frequently asked questions (FAQs) are provided to assist Ombudsman programs understand the new 

funding opportunity. These FAQs further elucidate the information contained in the Federal Register Announcement for 

this Opportunity, and published on January 29, 2021.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is the statutory reference for this funding?

The statutory authority for grants under this program announcement is contained in the Elder Justice Act Section

2043(a) of Title XX of the Social Security Act [Public Law 74-271] [As Amended Through P.L. 115-123, Enacted February 9,

2018], and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021.

What is the purpose of this funding? 

Funds expended from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 are to be spent in

accordance with Elder Justice Act Section 2043(a) for Ombudsman programs to respond to the Coronavirus Emergency. 

Ombudsman programs must expend funds on allowable activities as defined by the Elder Justice Act and state and local

policy. This funding is intended to enhance, improve, and expand the ability of Ombudsman programs to investigate 

allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in the context of COVID-19.

How can these funds be used? 

Funds must be expended on Ombudsman activities related to the Coronavirus Emergency. Below are examples of how 

these funds could be used that would be responsive to the requirements; these examples are for consideration only, and

do not replace existing fiscal requirements:
ACL COVID-19 Response · <TITLE HERE> · Page 2 

a. Enhance Ombudsman program complaint investigations during the COVID public health emergency to 

address complaints related to abuse, neglect and poor care; 

b. Resume in-person visitation at such time as visitation is permitted, such as when the COVID vaccine is 

accessible to residents, facility staff, and individuals working for the LTCO program;

c. Conduct education and outreach on abuse and neglect identification and prevention during the COVID 

public health emergency to residents, their families and facility staff;

d. Enable travel for representatives of the LTCO Office to ensure all residents have access to a LTCO

representative; 

• For more information on indirect costs, see 45CFR75.414. 

e. Continue purchase of needed Personal Protective Equipment;

f. Continue purchase of technology as needed; 

g. Enable participation in state-level “strike teams” to address complaints related to care and neglect; and 

h. Provide information and assistance on transitions from long-term care facilities to community-based, 

home care settings, consistent with section 712(a)(3) of the Older Americans Act. 

What does ACL mean when it says funding is “one-time funding”?”

Funding for this opportunity were made available through emergency legislation to support Americans during the 

COVID-19 crisis. Because this funding comes through a supplemental funding bill and is not considered a part of the 

annual federal budget, this funding is considered “one-time” funding. That is, grantees should have no expectation that 

there will be additional, similar funds available in the future. Grantees should plan their activities with this information 

in mind.

What Does ACL mean when it says this funding should “supplement and not supplant existing 

funding?” 

The phrase “supplement and not supplant existing funding” means that the funding made available through this 

opportunity may not be used to replace existing state, territory, or local funding already appropriated for Ombudsman 

programs and services. Existing funds for an existing project or activities may not be displaced by federal funds and 

reallocated for other programmatic or organizational expenses. The funding available through this opportunity must add 

to the Ombudsman programs’ current funding levels, not be used to replace funding, even to cover funding reductions. 

How does an Ombudsman program apply for the funding?

Funding will be distributed once ACL receives a Letter of Assurance eligible applicant by the due date. The due date, 

required elements for the plan and letter, and details about to whom and how to submit, are outlined in the Federal 

Register Notice. 
ACL COVID-19 Response · <TITLE HERE> · Page 3 

ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS

Who is eligible to apply for this funding?

Per the Elder Justice Act Section 2043(a), eligible entities are the State Agencies on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman 

Programs having the legal responsibility for providing Long-Term Care Ombudsman services within the State.

Funding Related Questions

How will ACL distribute or allocate these funds?

ACL will distribute funds to States and territories via the same formula as is outlined in the Older Americans Act Section 

703(a).

How much is each state and territory going to receive?

The amount of funds allocated for each of the 56 state-level Ombudsman programs is posted in the Federal Register 

Notice.

Are matching funds required?

No.

How long do we have to use the funds?

The project period for these awards is anticipated to be 18-months, with an estimated start date of April 1, 2021, and an 

estimated end date of September 30, 2022. A grantee must commit their funding (i.e., spend it, incur an expense 

against it, and/or obligate it) by September 30, 2022. 

 

If the COVID-19 public health emergency ends, is the Act funding no longer available?

The funding will be available for the full project period stated in the Notice of Award. It is estimated that the project 

period will be April 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022. Even if the COVID-19 public health emergency resolves prior to 

September 30, 2022, it is prudent to assume there will still be expenses related to the coronavirus response, such as 

costs associated with in-person visits to facilities and purchasing of personal protective equipment, for example.

Under a Major Disaster Declaration, are funds available for “bucketing” like the Older Americans Act 

funds?

No. The funds are administered under the authority of the Elder Justice Act, and do not have the same flexibilities as the 

Older Americans Act funding.
ACL COVID-19 Response · <TITLE HERE> · Page 4 

Reporting Requirements 

Where and how will States/territories submit their financial reports? 

Grantees are required to submit a financial report SF-425 on a semi-annual basis. The SF-425 shall be submitted using 

the HHS’ Payment Management System (PMS). PMS website is located at: https://pms.psc.gov. Reports are due within 

30 days of the periods ending March 31 and September 30 (i.e., due April 30 and October 30), through September 30, 

2022. A final PMS drawdown and a final SF-425 are due within 120 days after September 30, 2022 (i.e., due January 31, 

2023). If a final SF-425 report will be submitted January 31, 2023, a semi-annual report is not required to be filed for 

report ending September 30, 2022.

For this opportunity, there will be three (3) SF-425 reports due: October 31, 2021, April 30, 2022, and a Final Report 

January 31, 2023.

On the SF-425 form, lines 10 a. through c. are reported on a quarterly calendar year basis (for the periods ending 12/31,

3/31, 6/30, 9/30) at the HHS’ Payment Management System (PMS). Reconciliation of advances and disbursements is

required for each quarter and the report must be completed within 30 days of the end of each quarter (i.e., by 1/30,

4/30, 7/30, 10/30). This reporting requirement is separate from completing the entire SF-425 as denoted in the financial

reporting term.

What programmatic information will Ombudsman programs be required to report? 

Ombudsman programs will report in accordance with National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS) annual reporting 

requirements and Reporting Requirements for CARES Act funding.