Grant for Payment of Retroactive Absences

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You are on this page: Grant for Payment of Retroactive Absences

Applications for the Payment of Retroactive Absences grant are no longer being accepted. The application period ended on January 6, 2023. For questions related to this grant opportunity, email: ocfs.sm.retro.absences.grant@ocfs.ny.gov

Statement of Grant Opportunity

The 2022 Enacted Budget authorized the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to issue payments for absences to child care providers that served at least one child in receipt of child care assistance for care provided on or after April 1, 2020, and prior to December 1, 2021. This is a one-time grant opportunity for licensed, registered, and enrolled legally exempt providers who are currently open and in good standing.

Amended 1/3/2023.
Full details can be found in the Statement of Grant Opportunity (Spanish/Español Statement of Grant Opportunity).

Important Dates

Event Date
Application Portal opens: 10/19/2022
Initial Payments: 11/8/2022
Application closes: 1/6/2023
Deadline to complete SFS vendor ID process or appeal pending denial: 2/14/2023
Final payments: 2/28/2023

Eligibility

Invitations to apply containing a link to the online portal were sent directly by email to all licensed, registered, and enrolled legally exempt providers. If you did not get an invitation e-mail, please check with your licensor, registrar or enrollment agency that there is a valid e-mail address on file for your program. OCFS will not be posting an apply link to the online portal.

To receive a retroactive absences payment, providers must apply during the application period and be able to confirm the following eligibility criteria:

Payments

All payments will be made through the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS). Providers who already have an SFS vendor ID must enter the ID during the application process, in order to receive payment. Information on SFS can be found here:

Providers who do not already have an SFS account will need to follow the instructions contained in the application to obtain an SFS vendor ID.

Payments will be released starting on or around November 8, 2022, or within 30 days of the application being approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the application portal?

Invitations to apply containing a link to the online portal were sent directly by email to all licensed, registered, and enrolled legally exempt providers. If you did not get an invitation e-mail, please check with your licensor, registrar or enrollment agency that there is a valid e-mail address on file for your program.

How do I setup an SFS Vendor ID if I do not have one?

Within the application form, providers without an SFS Vendor ID will be required to submit a W9 form which will begin the process of establishing your facility as an SFS-Vendor. After receiving notice of an award, providers will receive an email with their new SFS ID with instructions on how to use your account.

When do I find out if I have been approved for grant funds?

After submitting the grant application providers will see an immediate submission confirmation message and the status of approved, under review or denied. A confirmation email containing any follow up details will also be sent to you upon application submission.

Download the complete Retroactive Absences FAQ (Spanish/Español FAQ).

Help Center

For questions related to this grant opportunity, email: ocfs.sm.retro.absences.grant@ocfs.ny.gov.

Grant Application User Guides