NY: $1,000 Grant – Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement Fund

The Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement Fund reimburses $1,000 to income-eligible people who worked for a NY-based “essential business” anytime from March 1, 2020.

Essential Business

The list of what is considered an essential business here is quite broad. Childcare, therapy, retail and many more professions are included in the list.

You don’t have to be working at an essential business now. As long as you were employed any time since March 1, 2020, you can apply. You can apply even if you’re unemployed now. 

Self-employed / 1099 workers are eligible as well.

Eligible Expenses

The grant reimburses up to $1,000 of eligible expenses that you incurred while working in an essential business.

An example of an eligible expense is childcare. Paying for education is not an eligible expense, but paying for childcare (e.g. aftercare or preschool) should be OK. Childcare expenses that have been partially paid for with Federal, State, or Local funding are not eligible for reimbursement.

Another example of an eligible expense is transportation: Gas, public transportation, taxi/vehicle for hire, and car rental costs incurred by the applicant which allowed them to do their essential work.

See more details and other eligible expenses.

Income Requirement

You are eligible if your household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from either 2019 or 2020 is under the following limit (500% poverty level) for your family size:

  1. $62,240
  2. $79,385
  3. $95,575 
  4. $125,470 
  5. $148,570 
  6. $168,090 
  7. $190,865
  8. $213,420 
  9. $235,520 
  10. $257,620

You can find your AGI on your personal tax return (1040)
2019: Line 8B
2020: Line 11

How to apply

Apply Online
Or call 844-679-3369 (8:30 – 4:30, Monday – Friday)
Applications opened 04/16/2021 and the deadline is 06/15/2021 5/18/2021

One eligible person per household can apply (using expenses from anyone in the household). Family members who are not dependents can file their own applications.

Required Documentation

  • Income Eligibility: Tax form 1040 (first two pages of your personal tax return) from either 2019 or 2020.
  • Expenses: Receipts

Grants will be given on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are used up.

Further Guidance

Found this helpful? Share it forward.

39 thoughts on “NY: $1,000 Grant – Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement Fund”

  1. I try to apply before may 18 but doesn’t work also try to call but no one pic up the phone. I work hard on pandemic i should get money . Please help me to get the money I have 4 kids .

  2. Thomas Boateng

    I try to apply before may 18 but doesn’t work also try to call but no one pic up the phone. I work hard on pandemic i should get money . Please help me to get the money I have 4 kids

  3. ANNETTE HAWKINS

    i apply on may 6,2021 i sent it by mail when will i be notified if i am approve for this please email me

  4. I applied for the fund on April 21st , 2021, I been on hold-pending revision since . I got email to submit my correct 2019 and 2020 tax forms on May 18th, 2021 . I submitted the correct tax forms on May 18th, 2021. Was told that I get a final decision soon. Well I’m still on Hold-pending revision. Just trying to see what’s going on ?

    1. Cynthia Graydon

      I filled out the application online April 16th and something was wrong I had to send something else. But then it went back to the progress level one to now a hold provision It was on all that checked yesterday it said claim review. Today I checked and it said award pending so hopefully I’ll get it hopefully yours will change soon. This is a holiday weekend but the status changed every day this week.moving along pretty quickly now.

  5. I submitted my application May 4th,2021 & it seemed like it was last edited May 29th,2021 but I have yet to receive any word if I got approved or not & it’s basically still on reviewing progress level 1… Has anybody been approved for the grant yet.. It’s about to be July!

    1. Cynthia Graydon

      I had award pending this morning yesterday it was on additional claim review. And I applied April 16th the day they put the application online.

    2. I did apply 04/22/21 till today’s date review level 2 , I haven’t got any email about additional documents required.

    1. Cynthia Graydon

      I had award pending this morning yesterday it was on additional claim review. And I applied April 16th the day they put the application online.

      1. Do you mind me asking how many days it took to actually be awarded after the “award pending” status?

        Just trying to figure out when I can expect the money. thanks

  6. Raisya Kadyrova

    I had and applied May 2021, and I got confirmation about completing application and hot number EPF, but I cannot found my status at moment.

  7. I applied April 16 and as of today’s date, July 20, I still have not heard anything. I don’t know of one person that has been approved and received funds. Where did all that money go NY?

  8. I applied April 29 and today July 21st first it said submitted level 2 review and now it just says submitted. I haven’t heard anything. If you call they will tell you they have many applications and cannot give updates.

  9. Had to revise my document. Everything seems to be in order. Website is saying pending final review. Hope to hear something soon.

  10. Elizabeth R Lugo

    I submitted my application on May 8th and I’m still on progress level 2. I’m losing hope that I will actually be awarded anything at this point while several other of my coworkers have gotten their money more than a month ago.

  11. I applied April 30th, My status has been saying “Award Pending” for a few months now. I emailed & all they say is “Continue to check your email” Im starting to think there was a never a grant. They also said funds are close to being depleted soon but who are they sending the funds too?

    1. Monay A I applied April 17 and since July I’ve been on Award Pending. They keep telling me the same thing. Their has to be someone above them we can speak too. Where is the money going, if we all have the same problem. This needs to be investigated.

      1. I agree.. I’m going to try to look into it further and see who’s above the reps. They hve no info. They read off of whatever were reading online about statuses. They have no way into looking into our status. Almost 5 months and haven’t heard anything. The least that they can do is communicate via phone or email.

  12. I’ve submitted my application May 1st 2021 bur still no response on my status except for EPF number and completion status.

  13. I have submitted all paper work in April. My status been on award pending since August and now it’s November. Does anyone have any answers or someone I can speak to?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Scroll to Top
Send this to a friend