IMPORTANT! Ohio CARES Act - New Funding Available 

In a recent COVID-19 press briefing, Governor Mike DeWine announced $429.5M in CARES Act funding will be distributed as a relief package addressing several key areas, that have been significantly impacted by the pandemic.

The Small Business Relief Grant is designed to provide relief to Ohio businesses that have been negatively affected by COVID-19. Governor Mike DeWine has designated up to $125 million of funding received by the State of Ohio from the federal CARES Act to provide $10,000 grants to small businesses to help them through the current crisis. The program, which will begin accepting applications November 2, 2020, will be administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency.  Further information can be found at https://www.businesshelp.ohio.gov/small-business-relief-grant.html.  Beginning on November 2, 2020 at 10:00 am, businesses can submit applications at https://www.businesshelp.ohio.gov/.

The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund is designed to assist Ohio’s on-premise liquor permit holders. Governor Mike DeWine has designated $38.7 million of funding received by the State of Ohio from the federal CARES Act to provide $2,500 assistance payments to on-premise liquor permit holders to help them through the financial difficulties experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. These permit holders have not been able to fully use their liquor permit and it’s had an impact on their business. The program, which will begin accepting applications November 2, 2020, will be administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency.

The Home Relief Grant is designed to assist Ohioans who are behind on rent, mortgage, and water and/or sewer utility bills.  Starting November 2, 2020, the state of Ohio, working with local Community Action Agencies, will help eligible Ohioans who are behind on rent, mortgage, and water and/or sewer utility bills catch up on past payments back to April 1, 2020 and provide additional assistance through December 30, 2020. Ohioans can apply for assistance through their local Community Action Agency starting November 2, 2020.  Further information can be found at https://www.businesshelp.ohio.gov/home-relief-grant.html.

Additional information on eligibility and the application process can be found on the fact sheets below:

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**BEWARE OF THIS TEXT SCAM INVOLVING STIMULUS CHECKS**

“Criminals are relentlessly using COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payments as cover to try to trick taxpayers out of their money or identities.

This scam is a new twist on those we've been seeing much of this year. We urge people to remain alert to these types of scams.”

- IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig

The tax industry, state tax agencies and the IRS are warning taxpayers about a new scam that criminals are using to try to trick people into disclosing

their bank account information in order to receive an Economic Impact Payment, or as it’s commonly referred to, a stimulus check.

What’s the Scam?

In this new scam, criminals are texting individuals with a message reading:

“You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND.

Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue

here to accept this payment …”

The message includes a link that directs victims to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS' Get My Payment webpage. From there, the

fraudulent website prompts victims to enter both their personal and banking information in order to receive the stimulus check or direct

deposit, granting the scammers access to such information.

What Should I Do if I Receive This Text?

If you receive a text similar to the one described above, do not click the link or provide any personal or financial information. The IRS and state

tax agencies will never text you asking for bank account information or to discuss stimulus check deposits. The IRS is asking those who receive

this text scam to take a screenshot of the text message and email it to phishing@irs.gov with the following information included in the email:

• Date, time and time zone that they received the text message
• The number that appeared on their caller ID
• The number that received the text message

By providing this information to the IRS, you can help them track this scam and protect others.

What’s Next?

Beware of similar scams during these uncertain times. When in doubt, assume any communication you receive that asks for your personal information

or your financial information is a scam, and do not respond.