COVID-19 Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) Fund - Closed

COVID-19 Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) - Application Process is Now Closed

RISE-Financial Assistance for community members affected by COVID-19

The City of Austin is offering $10 million in Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) 2.0 funds to individuals in Austin and Travis County through RISE 2.0.  The third-party organizations that were chosen from the RFQ process, El Buen Samaritano and Family Independence Initiative (FII), are responsible for operating a phone bank and a centralized application and distribution process with a secure online portal. FII will manage the randomized application selection process.  All funds will be distributed by Oct. 30, 2020.   On September 14, 2020 the application opened for RISE 2.0 emergency assistance for those who are facing financial hardships due to COVID-19.  The application will close on September 21, 2020 and funds will be distributed in $2,000 increments per household based on a randomized selection process.

Application Process 

• Sept. 8-Oct 2: The phone bank at El Buen Samaritano is open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. [512-714-6950] to answer any questions from the public.

• Sept. 14: Households can start the application process online or through the phone bank. The online application form will be available in English and Spanish. The phone bank will be available in multiple languages. 
  • Online Portal: https://fund.uptogether.org/rise2 

• Sept. 21: Last day for households to apply. Applications must be submitted by 7 p.m. on this date.  
• Sept. 23-Oct. 19: The randomized application selection process will be completed, and applicants will be notified of whether or not they were selected.
• Sept. 23-Oct. 30: Funds will be distributed to the chosen applicants. 

Fund Distribution 

If the selected individual applied online, they can receive the funds in the following ways:  

• Direct ACH bank transfer (individuals who choose this option will receive the funds sooner)  
• Virtual Prepaid Card (sent via email) 
• Mailed Prepaid Card 
• If the selected individual applied through the phone bank, they will receive the funds via a prepaid card distributed by El Buen Samaritano.  

Community Members Who Need Emergency Assistance

RISE funds can be used for rent, utilities and other financial assistance required for persons effected by COVID-19.  Please review the client eligibility requirements below.  A list of agencies that are distributing assistance can be found below with their contact information.

Find Other COVID Resources Here: City of Austin COVID-19 Available Services

RISE Application Information

RISE 2.0 funds were approved on June 4 when the Austin City Council passed Resolution #20200604-049 and Resolution #20200604-040. RISE 2.0 funds will be distributed by a third-party organization that was approved through a Request for Qualifications (RFQs) process.    

While there is $10 million allotted for RISE 2.0, approximately $1 million of that fund will be used for the administrative process to distribute the funds through third-party organizations. APH expects 4,500 households to benefit from the RISE 2.0 funds.  

RISE 2.0 funds come after the original $15 million of RISE funds were awarded to 20 non-profits and social services agencies in May and June. Most of the funds distributed to the original 20 agencies have been exhausted. While the original RISE funds were distributed to social services agencies, RISE 2.0 funds will be distributed directly to individuals who apply and are chosen through a randomized selection process. Chosen applicants will receive $2,000 per household.

Eligibility Requirements 

• Resident of Austin-Travis County, Texas; 
• Under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level; 
• 18 Years of Age or Older;
• Impacted by COVID-19; 
• Have received less than $1,000 financial assistance in the past 30 days. 

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Agencies Distributing RISE 1.0 Funds- Contact Information

Rise@arcaustin.org

Agency	Taking Calls	Intake/ Funds	Email	Phone
ARC of the Capital Area	May 4, 2020	May 11, 2020	Rise@arcaustin.org	512-476-7044 ext 233
Austin Diaper Bank	May 26, 2020	June 1, 2020	RISE@austindiapers.org
Austin Voices for Education and Youth	May 11, 2020	May 11, 2020	RISE@austinvoices.org	512-900-2526
Caritas of Austin			RISEInfo@caritasofaustin.org
Catholic Charities of Central Texas	April 27, 2020	April 27, 2020		Last Names: A-D (512) 910-5768 E-K (512) 910-5907 L-R (512) 910-7076 S-Z (512) 910-7170
Family Independence Initiative (FII)	September 14, 2020	September 21, 2020	Online Portal: https://fund.uptogether.org/rise2	Phone Bank: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. [512-714-6950]
Family Eldercare	May 28, 2020	May 28, 2020	info@familyeldercare.org	512-450-0844
Goodwill Industries of Central Texas	April 29, 2020	April 29, 2020	covid19rental@goodwillcentraltexas.org	512-637-7445
Meals on Wheels	June 1, 2020	June 1, 2020	rise@mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org	737-218-4144
St. Vincent De Paul	June 1, 2020	June 1, 2020	RISE@ssvdp.org	Last Names: A-D: 737-484-0914 E-K: 737-484-0915 L-R: 737-484-0916 S-Z: 737-484-0917
Survive2Thrive	April 29, 2020	April 29, 2020		512.308.6028
Workers Assistance Program	May 26, 2020	May 26, 2020		512-637-7380 (local) 844-888-6566 (toll free)
Workers Defense Project	May 20, 2020	May 20, 2020	rise@workersdefense.org	(512) 676-5614
Wright House Wellness Center’s (ASHWell)	May 6, 2020	May 11, 2020	schavez@ashwellatx.org	512-468-0088 ext 137

Agencies awarded that have distributed all funding:

Agency	Expended Amount
Austin Area Urban League	$500,000
El Buen Samaritano	$500,000
Saheli dba Asian Family Support Services of Austin	1,000,000

Helpful Information

City of Austin COVID-19 Available Services

Connect ATX

CALL 2-1-1

Austin Homelessness Response

RISE 2.0 Competition

RFQS #006 COVID-19 RISE 2.0- 2020 NPS

SOLICITATION NAME: Request for Qualifications (RFQS) #006 COVID-19 RISE 2.0 - 2020 - NPS

The City of Austin (City) seeks to fund qualified social service providers (Applicants) with demonstrated experience administering an online portal and providing immediate financial assistance through ACH transfers, pre-paid debit and credit cards to individuals impacted by COVID-19.  In order to ensure equitable access, the Applicant will be responsible for a centralized application and distribution process with a secure online portal.   Within the process, the successful applicant must be able to administer an online portal, with a lottery based on eligible applicants, an intake process that allows for the upload of required documentation and the ability to distribute all funds within 4 weeks of award.  

Department:  Austin Public Health

Application Due Date: July 22, 2020 at 12 PM CST CLOSED

Total Funding Amount Available: $10,000,000

Applicants may apply for either project type:

A) Centralized Phone Bank and Application Assistance: Up to $500,000 for phone bank and assistance with uploading documentation for clients chosen to receive assistance from the lottery.  No financial assistance is included in this project type. Funds can only be used for salaries and operations to run the phone bank that will coordinate with the online portal.

OR

B) Online Portal, Lottery, and Financial Assistance Distribution: Up to $665,000 administration of the online portal and lottery to distribute a minimum of $8,835,000 in direct financial assistance for a total contract of $9,500,000.  If an agency is able to propose a budget with less than the 7% in administration, more funds will be available for direct financial assistance up to the full amount available for the online portal, or $9,500,000.

Austin Public Health anticipates awarding two Agreements, one for $500,000 and the other for $9,500,000 in the categories above.  The Agreement will have a 6-week contract term starting August 10, 2020.  Applicants must be ready to begin the program approximately one week from the start date.

Optional Pre-Bid Conference Call:  July 16, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CST

Note: APH staff will be available starting at 1:45 pm to address any technical difficulties.

Registration is required to get the Conference Call details

Eventbrite Pre-Bid Conference Call registration: Registration has ended.

Pre-Bid Conference Call Presentation: Pre-Bid Powerpoint

Pre-Bid Conference Call Attendance: Pre-Bid Conference Call Attendance Sheet

Submitted Questions: QA updated July 20, 2020

Competition Documents

Doc	File Description	Type	Date
A	Offer Sheet	PDF	7/16/2020
B	Standard Purchase & Social Services Definitions	PDF	7/10/2020
C	Standard Solicitation Information	PDF	7/10/2020
D	Supplemental Purchase Provisions	PDF	7/10/2020
E	RFQS Scope of Work and Application Instructions	PDF	7/15/2020
F	RFQS Application Document	Word	7/15/2020
G	Equal Employment Fair Housing Discrimination Certification	PDF	7/10/2020
H	Non-Suspension or Debarment Certification	PDF	7/10/2020
I	Non-Collusion Non-Conflict Anti-Lobbying	PDF
7/10/2020
J	Applying for APH-Funded Opportunity - Partnergrants Instruction	PDF	7/10/2020

RISE 1.0 Information

APH will begin to accept applications on a rolling basis beginning on April 15, 2020 at 12 PM CST. Applications will be used to vet organizations ability to comply with intent to funding. 

All Applications are DUE: May 6, 2020 at 11:59 PM CST. 
At that time the application portal in Partnergrants for RISE funding will close.

$15 million was allocated by Council.

Austin Public Health anticipates awarding multiple Agreements with a minimum request of $250,000 and maximum request up to $2 million.  Smaller amounts may be considered for smaller non-profit organizations with deep community connection.

The Agreement will have a minimum contract term of 4 months with a possible extension based on need and availability of funding.

Social Service Organizations with questions about applying for RISE funding please email RISEFunding@AustinTexas.gov.

RISE Fund Scope of Work and Application Instructions

Applying for APH COVID RISE Opportunity -Partnergrant Application Instructions

RISE Council Resolution

Frequently Asked Questions from applicants: COVID RISE 1.0 FAQ

Standard Boiler

Exhibit B. 3 - Compensation Terms

 

Priority Populations

• Priority populations
• Persons of color
• LGBTQI+
• Immigrants, 
• Seniors, 
• Other historically marginalized populations
• Survivors of domestic violence
• Individuates with developmental delays 
• Individuals who are recently incarcerated 
• Low-Income, at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Residents of Austin/ Travis County
• Ineligible for assistance (i.e. unemployment)
• Other forms of assistance are insufficient or not timely

Ineligible for CARES’ Economic Impact Payment (per IRS guidelines)

• Individuals with adjusted gross income that is greater than
  • $99,000 if their filing status was single or married filing separately
  • $136,500 for head of household
  • $198,000 if their filing status was married filing jointly
• Individuals that can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. For example, a child, student or older dependent who can be claimed on a parent’s return.
• Individuals that do not have a valid Social Security number.
• Individuals that are nonresident aliens
• Individuals that filed Form 1040-NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040-PR or Form 1040-SS for 2019.

How to update your organization's 211 Information

To update your 211 profile:

Email 211database@uwatx.org with your updated information.

OR go to the Add your 211 listing website: https://www.211texas.org/add-or-edit-your-2-1-1-listing/ and follow the instructions.