Auburn, NY- Acting District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced today that through the New York State Office for Prevention of Domestic Violence, the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office has applied for and received $187,723.18 in federal funding to assist survivors of domestic violence with emergency needs. This funding will provide crucial housing and relocation assistance for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The District Attorney’s Office will distribute funding from the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund to eligible victims and survivors of domestic violence. These funds can be used for certain non-recurrent, short term expenses related to housing and essential needs, such as rent and utilities. Funding is available for expenses occurring between March 1, 2022 and May 31, 2022.
The federally funded American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 established the $1 billion Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund to assist eligible families that have been affected by the pandemic and are in a specific crisis. Over $21 million was allocated in the fiscal year 2022 NYS Budget and is administered by the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) in partnership with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
Applicants are eligible for funding if:
You are a domestic/sexual violence survivor who has children or is currently pregnant;
You currently receive Public Assistance, Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; OR have a verified income that falls below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines for their family size;
You are a United States citizen.
Eligible use of PEAF funding includes, but is not limited to:
Relocation expenses, provided that such payments are compliant with all applicable federal regulations and guidance;
Emergency assistance and diversion payments;
Emergency housing;
Short-term homelessness assistance;
Emergency food aid;
Short-term utility payments;
Burial assistance;
Clothing allowances; and
Any other allowable expenses as approved.
Referrals will be accepted until all funding has been exhausted or until the May 31, 2022 deadline. To apply for funding or to find out more about eligibility, please call the District Attorney’s Office directly at 315-253-1391 or contact us via email: Sarah Sears (ssears@cayugacounty.us) or Kristine Francey (kfrancey@cayugacounty.us).