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BlogOn October 14, counties and other recipients of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Recovery Funds, including the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, received an email alerting them that:U.S. Treasury scales back Recovery Fund contact center operations
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Blog
U.S. Treasury scales back Recovery Fund contact center operations
On October 14, counties and other recipients of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Recovery Funds, including the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, received an email alerting them that:
“After Monday, October 17, Treasury’s contact center will no longer be able to respond to phone calls. In addition, starting later this month Treasury will be forced to further ramp down staff support for the contact center and as a result response times to recipient emails are also expected to be significantly delayed.”
This scaleback is due to a shortfall in administrative funding for ARPA recovery programs that NACo has been closely monitoring since counties were alerted in September that Treasury would be scaling back recovery fund assistance. It is important to note that this shortfall does not impact any Recovery Funds counties received but will impact the types of services and assistance Treasury is able to provide counties as we continue to invest ARPA funds in our communities.
Since the enactment of ARPA, counties have been working tirelessly with Treasury to ensure Recovery Funds have the flexibility to properly address our unique needs and that we are fulfilling our role as sound financial stewards. Treasury has been a critical partner and valuable resource throughout the implementation of the Recovery Fund and with the recent release of LATCF payments, this partnership is as critical as ever.
The bipartisan State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure and Disaster Relief Act (S. 3011/H.R. 5735), which passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent in October 2021 and is pending before the U.S. House, would unlock unobligated funds allocated to Treasury for administrative expenses related to operating the Recovery Fund and allow Treasury to continue to work with state and local government partners to implement this historic investment in America’s communities. Counties urge Congress to include S. 3011/H.R. 5735 in the next federal spending bill so we can continue this valuable partnership and spur long-term economic recovery and growth in our communities with this one-in-a-generation investment.
In the meantime, NACo has several resources available to counties to assist with the continued implementation and investment of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund and Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds.
Counties may ask questions regarding ARPA recovery funds here and NACo staff will respond via email.
On October 14, counties and other recipients of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Recovery Funds, including the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2022-10-20Blog2022-10-20
On October 14, counties and other recipients of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Recovery Funds, including the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, received an email alerting them that:
“After Monday, October 17, Treasury’s contact center will no longer be able to respond to phone calls. In addition, starting later this month Treasury will be forced to further ramp down staff support for the contact center and as a result response times to recipient emails are also expected to be significantly delayed.”
This scaleback is due to a shortfall in administrative funding for ARPA recovery programs that NACo has been closely monitoring since counties were alerted in September that Treasury would be scaling back recovery fund assistance. It is important to note that this shortfall does not impact any Recovery Funds counties received but will impact the types of services and assistance Treasury is able to provide counties as we continue to invest ARPA funds in our communities.
Since the enactment of ARPA, counties have been working tirelessly with Treasury to ensure Recovery Funds have the flexibility to properly address our unique needs and that we are fulfilling our role as sound financial stewards. Treasury has been a critical partner and valuable resource throughout the implementation of the Recovery Fund and with the recent release of LATCF payments, this partnership is as critical as ever.
The bipartisan State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure and Disaster Relief Act (S. 3011/H.R. 5735), which passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent in October 2021 and is pending before the U.S. House, would unlock unobligated funds allocated to Treasury for administrative expenses related to operating the Recovery Fund and allow Treasury to continue to work with state and local government partners to implement this historic investment in America’s communities. Counties urge Congress to include S. 3011/H.R. 5735 in the next federal spending bill so we can continue this valuable partnership and spur long-term economic recovery and growth in our communities with this one-in-a-generation investment.
In the meantime, NACo has several resources available to counties to assist with the continued implementation and investment of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund and Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds.
Counties may ask questions regarding ARPA recovery funds here and NACo staff will respond via email.

About Eryn Hurley (Full Bio)
Director of Government Affairs & Federal Fellowship Initiative
Eryn serves as the Director for NACo’s Government Affairs Department. In this capacity, she assists in Legislative and Executive Branch outreach and advocacy of the association’s legislative priorities and policy development.More from Eryn Hurley
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Reports & Toolkits
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Resource Hub
Explore NACo's resource hub for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. -
Blog
Ask your ARPA implementation or COVID-19 recovery question
Have a question on COVID-19 recovery efforts or the implementation of the American Rescue Plan? NACo is here to help.
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Blog
What have we learned about governing during the pandemic era?
“We now have tools for county governments to continue to engage a larger constituency and improve service delivery to meet their needs, specifically considering using digital interface to engage with residents.” -
Press Release
NACo, NLC, IMLA, and GFOA Announce New Local Government Legal Center
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Counties (NACo), the National League of Cities (NLC), the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) and Government Finance Officers (GFOA) are pleased to announce the formation of a new coalition known as the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC). -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
This analysis includes funding highlights for key programs impacting counties. -
Reports & Toolkits
Resource Hub for Counties: State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure And Disaster Relief Flexibility Act
The bipartisan State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act will provide additional flexibility for the $350 billion Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund authorized under the American Rescue Plant Act. -
Press Release
State And Local Government Associations Commend Congress For Infrastructure And Disaster Flexibility
With the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the seven leading organizations representing state and local governments at the federal level thank Congress for providing flexibility to use American Rescue Plan Act funds for purposes of infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization, and disaster relief. -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: State, Local, Tribal and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure And Disaster Relief Flexibility Act
VIEW YOUR COUNTY’S ARPA FLEXIBLE FUND ALLOCATION UNDER S. 3011
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Reports & Toolkits
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Resource Hub
Explore NACo's resource hub for the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.Reports & Toolkitsdocument010512:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
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Finance, Pensions & Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to the financial resources of counties, fiscal management, federal assistance, municipal borrowing, county revenues, federal budget, federal tax reform, elections and Native American issues.</p>
Contact
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Director of Government Affairs & Federal Fellowship Initiative(202) 942-4204
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Press ReleaseNACo, NLC, IMLA, and GFOA Announce New Local Government Legal CenterJan. 20, 2023
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