Section 691.90  Financial Assistance Application Process

a)         Interested businesses shall apply to this Program, utilizing an electronic application, which the applicant will access by visiting the Department's website and clicking the appropriate hyperlink that will forward the applicant to the application portal administered by the Qualified Partner of the Department.  If the Department announces additional funding opportunities requiring an applicant to use a different application procedure, that information will be made available on its website.

b)         Applicants selected for an award shall be required to sign a certification agreement that attests to their eligibility for the Program and compliance with programmatic requirements for funding as described in this Part.

c)         To assist in determining whether an applicant is eligible and to ensure compliance with State and federal requirements, Qualified Partners will request the applicant to submit the following documentation with their application:

1)         Business Owner/Representative Valid Identification (Driver's License, State ID, Passport, or Matricular Consular Card); 

2)         2019 Federal Income Tax Return; 

3)         2020 Federal Income Tax Return; 

4)         Completed W-9 form;

5)         Most recent bank statement;

6)         One monthly business bank statement between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 that reflects business expenses;

7)         Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number or other unique identifier requested by the Department and;

8)         Any other information or proof necessary to confirm the existence of the applicant and its eligibility to participate in the Program.

d)         Completed application materials must be signed by the applicant's authorized representative and received by the Department or the entity processing the application by the announced deadline for the submission of applications.

e)         If an applicant has been marked ineligible or not belonging to a priority grouping, the Qualified Partner will provide electronic notice of their ineligibility or priority status.  The notice will contain the reason for ineligibility or the priority change and a link to a decision appeal form.  The Qualified Partner's appeals team will review appeals by rereviewing the application, the appeal form, and any supporting documentation provided by the applicant.  Upon conclusion of this review, the Appeals team will provide a follow-up email to the business identifying a decision and supporting evidence for that decision.  The Qualified Partner will review appeals until funds are exhausted.  Providing program funding is still available, an applicant may request an appeal of the final decision issued by the Qualified Partner, by submitting electronic correspondence to the Qualified Partner or the Department requesting the Department to review the decision. The Department will review all documents provided to the Qualified Partner and may review other relevant information related to the appeal. Within 60 days of receipt of the request for appeal, the Department will conduct an investigation and provide a final determination to the appealing applicant. The rights outlined in this Part shall apply to applicants of the Program.