A new FAQ has been added to the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau's Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions page stating that, yes, CARES Act funds can be used to provide incentives to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Here's the FAQ. Find it on the FAQ page by typing in "incentive."
Can FY 2020 CARES Act funds be used to provide incentives for the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, HRSA HAB Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) recipients may use FY 2020 CARES Act funding to incentivize vaccinations for RWHAP clients and family/household members living in the same household as the RWHAP client, in accordance with HRSA HAB Policy Clarification Notice #16-02 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Services: Eligible Individuals & Allowable Uses of Funds (PDF - 172 KB). FY 2020 CARES Act funds may not be used to make cash payments or provide cash equivalents. General-use prepaid cards are considered “cash equivalent” and are therefore unallowable. Store gift cards that can be redeemed at one merchant or an affiliated group of merchants for specific goods or services that further the goals and objectives of the RWHAP are allowable as incentives. RWHAP FY 2020 CARES Act funded recipients are advised to administer voucher and store gift card programs in a manner which assures that vouchers and store gift cards cannot be exchanged for cash or used for anything other than the allowable goods or services, and that systems are in place to account for disbursed vouchers and store gift cards. RWHAP recipients should develop a tracking system for the purchase and disbursement of vaccine incentives, and establish policies and procedures that outline the criteria for offering incentives that include, but are not limited to, the:
- type and amount of the incentive;
- criteria for determining who receives an incentive; and
- frequency of distributing the incentives.
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