Grant FAQs
Does my business qualify?
To qualify, a business/organization must:
- Have been established prior to March 9, 2020;
- Be registered and in good standing with the state of Maryland and Harford County;
- Currently be in operation; and
- Have a physical location within Harford County.
What can I use the funding for?
Funds are to be used for expenses incurred to establish or expand online sales and/or telework during COVID-19 (after March 2020). Examples are (but not limited to):
- Expansion to e-commerce platform
- Website development
- Laptops or other remote work capabilities
- Hardware or software costs
How can I access the required application documents?
Click the links below to access all the required documentation: Application (click here)
When can I submit the application?
Harford County will ONLY ACCEPT ELECTRONIC, TYPED SUBMISSIONS with the exception of a legal, inked signature where required, beginning September 8 at 8:00 a.m.
When is the deadline for applications?
The deadline is October 29 at 5:00 p.m.
Will an electronic or typed signature be accepted on the application, W-9, or Direct Deposit/EFT Form?
No. A physical signature is needed on all forms.
What happens if I submit my application before September 8 at 8 a.m.?
Any attempted email submission prior to September 8 at 8:00 a.m. will not be held in a queue and must be resubmitted for consideration.
How many employees do I need to have in order to qualify for this grant?
There is no minimum employment requirement, but priority funding will be given to businesses that do not have more than 20 employees.
What documentation do I need to submit?
- Fully-completed (typed) application (handwritten applications will not be accepted EXCEPT where a legal inked signature is required);
- Completed W9 form; and
- Completed Direct Deposit Form. The Direct Deposit Form is also known as the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Form;
Please note: The subject line of your email submission must read your business name.
I need to resubmit my application. Do I need to resubmit everything, or just what needed correction?
Please resubmit your application with all the required paperwork, including that which needed to be corrected, to COVIDgrantinformation@harfordcountymd.gov. Your re-submission will be reviewed in the order it was received.
How will I know if you have received my application?
You will receive a response by the end of the next business day confirming the receipt of your application. If you do not receive a response, please check your SPAM folder and/or verify the email address to which you submitted your application reads COVIDgrantinformation@harfordcountymd.gov.
How can I find out the status of my application?
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received by our Relief Grant Response Team. Once an application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation by the end of the next business day that your application has been received and is under review. After all documents are reviewed for completion and accuracy by our team, you will receive notification concerning the status of your application. An application may be rejected or returned for one or more of the following reasons: the business is ineligible under program terms; information provided in required documentation is inaccurate, and/or; the application or required documentation are incomplete. In the event that the application was rejected but the business is eligible, your notification of status will clearly identify the reasons for returning the application and you will be able to resubmit a new application with the required adjustments. Due to the large number of applications we are reviewing, we will not be providing individual updates of application status.
What type of documentation will be required in the case of an audit?
This would be documentation following generally accepted accounting principles for how the funds are expended, including but not limited to: financial records, payroll records, or receipts. Records of how the grant funds are used must be produced upon receiving a request from the federal government, the State of Maryland, and/or Harford County, and these records are subject to audit.
What if I submit an incomplete application? Will I keep my place in line?
If an incomplete application is received, the applicant will be notified of the issue regarding incompletion and asked to resubmit the fully completed application with all documentation. The applicant’s place in the queue will not be saved as other completed applications will continue moving forward.
If I have applied for other Federal, State, and/or Harford County COVID-19 related assistance, can I still apply for this grant?
Yes. However, priority funding will be awarded to businesses that have not received prior COVID-19-related assistance funding through the State of Maryland or Harford County.
When will I receive my grant funds?
Applications will be processed and funded as quickly as possible.
Do I need to submit supporting documentation to verify use of funds and/or the adverse economic impact(s) to my business or nonprofit organization?
At this time, no. However, in the event of an audit, you may be asked to provide supporting documentation, as outlined on page 3 of the application: I agree to maintain records evidencing compliance with the requirements of the grant for a period of five (5) years from the date of the grant, and permit any duly authorized representative of the State to inspect and audit all records and documents relating to the grant.
By which date does my organization need to expend the funds?
December 31, 2021.
Is there a physical address where I can mail or drop off my application?
No. Applications will only be accepted electronically. The applications and documentation must be submitted in one email to COVIDgrantinformation@harfordcountymd.gov. An automated response will be generated, confirming receipt of the application.
How much is the grant award?
The amount of the grant award will be determined by the final number of applicants.
Is the data that I submit secure?
If the applicant prefers to submit data securely, it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to submit through a secured or encrypted format. Once data has been received by Harford County Government, all data at rest is encrypted in a secure format.
What information is absolutely needed for the application to be complete?
Organizations will need to provide outlined documentation to satisfy the grant requirements.
Who will be reviewing the grant applications?
An extensive first-come, first-served process has been established involving county staff from multiple departments and will include several stages of management review.
With regards to the MD Public Information Act Disclosure for the Relief Grant Programs, what information and documentation submitted with the application is subject to public disclosure?
Any document deemed a public record by the Maryland Public Information Act is subject to disclosure in response to a request under said law. For more information, visit https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/OpenGov/pia.aspx.
How were the eligibility criteria established for the program?
Harford County Government created the program in compliance with State of Maryland parameters and focused on businesses as the core of the program. While we do understand that some businesses and/or nonprofits may not be eligible for funds, we highly encourage those individuals to take advantage of the business resources available through the state of Maryland at https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-fund-programs.
Who can I contact for assistance with the application?
If you need assistance with assessing your eligibility or compiling the needed documents for your application, we advise that you consult with your financial or legal advisors. For assistance with filling out the application, please contact our local Small Business Development Center at http://www.mdsbdc.umd.edu/locations/northern-region.
What name should appear on Line 1 of the Form W-9?
Line 1 of the Form W-9 must be completed with either your name or your business name. If you have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), then you have a business, and you should write your business name on Line 1 exactly as it is registered with the State of Maryland or as filed with the Internal Revenue Service. If you do not have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), you should write your full legal name on Line 1, exactly as it is filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
Line 2 of the Form W-9 asks for a business name/disregarded entity name; if I have already written my business name on Line 1, do I need to write my business name again on Line 2?
No, do you not need to list your business name again on Line 2, this field is for a business name if different than Line 1. It may also be used for trade names, doing business as names, or disregarded entity names.
I have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), should I include both my name and my business name on the Form W-9?
No, if you have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), then you have a business, and your business name should appear on Line 1 of the Form W-9. You do not need to include your name on Lines 1 or 2 of the Form W-9, however you will still need to sign and date the form.
I do not have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), but I have a name I do business as, should I include both my name and my business name on the W-9?
If you do not have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), you should write your full legal name on Line 1 of the Form W-9, exactly as it is filed with the Internal Revenue Service. You may write your business name, trade name, doing business as name, or disregarded entity name on Line 2 of the Form W-9.
I have an Employer Identification Number, where should I write this information on the Form W-9?
Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) should appear in Part I Taxpayer Identification Number in the box labeled Employer Identification Number. Please note, if you have an EIN, your business name should appear on Line 1 of the Form W-9, exactly as it is registered with the State of Maryland or as filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
I do not have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), can I use Social Security Number (SSN), and where should I write this information on the Form W-9?
If you do not have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) you may use your Social Security Number (SSN). Your SSN should appear in Part I Taxpayer Identification Number in the box labeled Social Security Number. Please note, if you are using your SSN, your full legal name should appear on Line 1 of the Form W-9 exactly as it is filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
I have both an Employer Identification Number and a Social Security Number, should I include both on the Form W-9?
No, you should not include both your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a Social Security Number (SSN) on the Form W-9; only one or the other should be written. If you have an EIN, then you have a business, your business name should appear on Line 1 and your EIN should appear in Part I Taxpayer Identification Number in the box labeled Employer Identification Number. Do not list your Social Security Number.
Do I need to sign the Form W-9?
Yes, you must sign and date the Form W-9. Unsigned forms will result in your application package being returned to you.
Does my name need to match on the Form W-9 and the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form?
Yes, your name or your business name, as it appears on Line 1 of the Form W-9 should match exactly to the Name or Company Name line of the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form. Discrepancies in your name or your business name will result in your application package being returned to you.
Does my address need to match on the Form W-9 and the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form?
No, your address on the Form W-9 and the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form do not need to match, though in most cases, the address is the same and they will. The address written on the Form W-9 should match that of your registered with the State of Maryland or as filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The address provided on the EFT form may be used for payment correspondence. P.O. Boxes may be listed on the EFT form.
The Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form asks for a mailing address, should I write the mailing address of my financial institution or my address?
On the Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form, the mailing address refers to your address. In most cases, it will be the same as the address written on your Form W-9.
What if I am not in good standing with Harford County?
You must be in good standing with Harford County to be eligible for the Grant.