Hazard pay grants now available to support local frontline workers

Workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic could see hazard pay.

Eligible employers can now apply for $50 million in available grants to offer hazard pay to frontline workers in life-sustaining industries. Throughout the COVID-19 health crisis, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus has fought

to support frontline workers and worked to ensure federal CARES Act dollars were allocated as part of the state budget package.

Created through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and

Economic Security (CARES) Act, this reimbursement-based grant is available to employers offering hazard pay during the eligible program period and will be administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Businesses may apply for grants up to a maximum of $3 million.

Businesses in the following industries are eligible to apply for the grant funding:

• Health care and social assistance • Food manufacturing • Food retail facilities • Public transit and ground passenger transportation • Security services • Janitorial services to buildings and dwellings

“Each day, our frontline workers have put themselves at risk in order to keep life sustaining services available to us all,” said Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-156th, of West Chester. “These frontline workers deserve much more than just our gratitude. I am pleased that the hazard pay grants will serve to provide additional financial support for all their sacrifices.”