Health Center Sustainability

Updated: May 26, 2020 - 9:56 pm PT

On this page you will find helpful resources to support your health center's financial sustainability. The table provides a quick glance at available programs. Below the table, we've provided additional tools/resources for many of the programs listed.

Sustainability Resources

Health centers recently received supplemental funding through HRSA in two separate awards. To learn more about the reporting requirments and to register for Q&A sessions follow the links below.

What is it? Who is
Eligible		 What are the terms? What to do?
**NEW**

FCC Telehealth
Grant		 Grants for the purchase of telecommunications, information services, and connected devices to provide connected care services inresponse to the coronavirus pandemic.
 The program is limited to nonprofit and public providers in both rural and non-rural areas. Eligible providers – including health centers – can apply for up to  $1 million each.

This program is funded at $200 million and will fund proposals on a first-come, first-served basis		 Apply now.

Link to obtain FCC Registration Number

*See below for more*
Paycheck
Protection
Loans		 Federally guaranteed loans. For any aspect of employee compensation, as well as mortgage, rent, and utilities. May take out up to 2.5 months of payroll up to $10 million. Health centers up to 500 employees. Payments and interest deferred for 6 months to 1 year. After that, no more than 4%. Principal may be fully forgivable with documentation. No fees Apply Here. For help, call your local Small Business Development Center
Emergency
Paid and Family
Leave		 Paid leave: Up to 80 hours of paid sick leave to $511/day. For caregiver leave, 80 hours to $200/day.

Family leave: 10 weeks at $200/day max. To care for a child whose school or care provider is unavailable		 Health centers up to 500 employees. Exceptions available for medical personnel and businesses below 50 employees. Employers receive a refundable tax credit for 100% of the eligible leave costs. Credit applied as refund against employer’s total portion of Social Security taxes for the period. General Information on leave programs

Questions and answers on leave provisions
Economic
Injury Disaster
Loans		 Small Business Administration (SBA) loan for up to $2 million, including a $10,000 grant up front. May be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. All health centers, regardless of size. Interest rate of 2.75%, payable over up to 30 years. Can defer initial payments for up to a year. Apply directly at the SBA. Applicants may apply online or call 1-800-669-2955
Federal
Pandemic
Unemployment
Insurance		 Full federal support of unemployment benefits for layoffs and job disruptions due to COVID-19. Benefit amounts determined by the weekly benefit structure in the applicant’s state, plus $600 All health center employees and contractors. May be additional state flexibilities. No impact on employer’s unemployment insurance experience rate. Contact your state unemployment office
Additional Ideas For Health Centers with more than 500 employees
Employee retention credits: Refundable tax credit on employment taxes for up to 50% of qualified wages per quarter.
Deferral of social security payroll taxes: Deferral of 2020 payroll taxes. 50% due by end of 2021. Other 50% by end of 2022.
Coronavirus relief funds: Talk to your state about accessing their allotment from the recent legislation.
Grants: States and private entities are offering Coronavirus-related grants.
Banks: Federally-backed loans for businesses between 500 and 10,000 employees will be available soon at rates below 2%.
Federal authorities are also working with banks to help them lend favorably in response to the crisis.