Montana Department of Commerce

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Montanans in every corner of the state have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As Montana works to recover from the unprecedented economic situation caused by this novel Coronavirus, the state is making emergency financial relief available from the federal government to those who have been hardest-hit by impacts of COVID-19 through a single application portal on this website.

This site is meant to serve as a comprehensive resource for Montanans to identify whether they qualify for financial relief and to serve as a resource as we collectively begin to reopen the thriving economy Montana enjoyed prior to the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Montanans out of work, families with limited resources, small businesses, non-profits and others can apply for financial relief for things like rental and mortgage assistance, business and non-profit grants, grants to serve seniors and those living with a disability, food banks and local food producers.

To prepare for the application, businesses should have their most recent tax return, Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing, budget showing three months of working capital, copy of Driver’s License, Tribal or State-issued ID card, copy of UI-5 if business has employees, a brief description of how the grant will be spent, and a brief description of how COVID-19 has impacted operations. Homeowners and renters should have bank account information available and verification of job or income loss.

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This financial assistance is funded through $1.25 billion in federal emergency relief funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The receipt of a government grant by a business generally is not excluded from the business's gross income under the [IRS] Code and therefore is taxable. ​More information is available here.

Governor Bullock’s Coronavirus Relief Fund Advisory Council, an advisory group made up of Montanans representing nearly every sector of the state’s economy and more than 1,400 comments submitted by the public, guided the state on how this federal emergency funding can best serve the needs of Montanans – and where the state can fill unmet needs not addressed by other federal funding going forward.

The following new programs join the state’s suite of existing support services and direct federal appropriations to ensure Montana’s families, workers, seniors, businesses and non-profits emerge from this challenge even stronger than before.

Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) Workforce Recovery program, Montana Department of Commerce
The BSTF Workforce Recovery program is designed to support Montana businesses that had to lay-off employees and/or reduce the hours of the employee to part-time status due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Commerce will reimburse Montana businesses based on the growth of jobs up to pre COVID-19 levels. The Workforce Recovery program will reimburse a business for the wages of full-time, permanent jobs that are created and retained for at least six months, up to a maximum of 25 jobs per business. Businesses apply directly to the program. A reimbursement of up to $7,500 per job is available to businesses in high-poverty counties. The business must match $3,750 per job. A reimbursement of up to $5,000 per job, with a $5,000 match, is available for businesses in all other counties. Apply here.

*NEW* Montana Business Adaptability Grant Program, administered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 
 Adaptability Program will provide reimbursement for COVID-19 expenses related to keeping staff and customers safe – from the purchase of personal protective equipment to resources needed for staff to work remotely. Eligible business must be Montana-based, have incurred eligible adaptation expenses since March 1 due to COVID-19, and be in good standing with the Secretary of State or local tribal government. Nonprofit entities are eligible. Eligible expenses include costs related to communication, remote work equipment, cleaning supplies, tools to enhance social distancing and sanitation, travel and hotel costs related to quarantining workers. Total funding available is $20 million. Eligible businesses may submit up to two applications for a combined total of $10,000 of costs paid (receipts and proof of payment are required) for reimbursement. In order to be eligible for the Business Adaptability Grant, businesses must have been in existence as of February 15, 2020. Funding available is $11 million. Deadline to apply is November 15, 2020. 
Apply Here

*NEW* Local Government Reimbursement Program
Reimbursement is available to local governments as part of the CARES Act and the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) grant program for direct costs associated with COVID-19. Application materials are now available for the third reimbursement cycle, closing September 25, 2020. This program continues to be administered by the Local Government Services (LGS) Bureau at the Department of Administration, in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Budget and Program Planning and Department of Military Affairs Disaster and Emergency Services Division. Requests for reimbursement must be submitted by June 12, July 24, September 25, early December, and mid-January. Per the COVID-19 reimbursement form, localities must list actual costs incurred related to COVID-19 and provide sufficient documentation to support incurred costs. Reimbursement requests must be certified and signed by a member of the local governing body.
http://sfsd.mt.gov/LGSB/COVID-Relief

*NEW* Montana Department of Commerce, Emergency Housing Assistance Program
The Emergency Housing Assistance program will provide rent, security deposit, mortgage payment, and/ or hazard insurance assistance as-needed for Montanans who have lost a job or substantial income loss as a result of COVID-19. Montana Housing will pay the difference between 25 percent of the household’s reduced net monthly income due to COVID-19 impact, and their eligible housing assistance costs, with a minimum payment of $250 per month and up to $2,000 a month. Household income limits range from $75,000-$125,000 based on family size. Montanans receiving other forms of housing assistance are not eligible. Total funding available is $17 million. Deadline to apply is November 10, 2020. 
406.841.2840 | HOUSING.MT.GOV
Apply Here

*NEW* Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Grants
Grants are available for Montana licensed behavioral health providers impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency to retain existing programs and services, employees, or organizational viability for provision of future services and operations. Providers can receive grants up to 8% of their annual Montana behavioral health patient revenues OR demonstrated lost behavioral health patient revenues between March and June 2020 (whichever is the lesser amount). Current funding available is $33 million. Each eligible provider may only be awarded one behavioral health grant. Deadline to apply is October 31 2020.
1.888.333.0461 | DPHHS.MT.GOV