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Boise State Public Radio News is here to keep you current on the news surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Idaho To Stop Taking Family Grant Applications Early After Overwhelming Demand

Carolyn Thompson
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AP Images

Overwhelming demand has prompted state officials to close the application deadline for Gov. Brad Little’s Strong Families, Strong Students program more than a month early. All paperwork must be submitted by 5 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday Nov. 6.

As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the state had received 31,140 applications, covering more than 88,000 students since the program went live about two weeks ago. State officials say they’ll only be able to fulfill about 13,000 requests.

$50 million in federal coronavirus relief money is prioritized for families earning less than $50,000, but the grants are first come, first serve.

Parents or guardians can receive $1,500 per student and up to $3,500 per family. The money will not come in the form of a check, rather the program will use the ClassWallet platform, which allows spending through approved vendors.

Families can spend the money on school supplies, computers or even daycare fees for parents during work hours. 

In joint custody situations, the first parent or guardian to submit an application would receive the award.

The money can also reimburse families for expenses they’ve already racked up during the coronavirus pandemic. Receipts dated between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2020 can be uploaded on ClassWallet.

Those wanting to apply can do so here. The application process requires a 2019 federal tax return and proof that your child is enrolled in a public or private school this year. Families who homeschool their children will also need to submit a pay stub showing they were employed between March 1-30, 2020.

Follow James Dawson on Twitter @RadioDawson for more local news.

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