State Fund in California Accepting Applications for $50M Return to Work Fund

State Compensation Insurance Fund in California has started accepting applications for its $50 million Returning California to Work COVID-19 Safety Protocol Fund.

The fund will help State Fund policyholders implement new safety measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 as California’s stay-at-home orders are lifted.

“Our return to work safety fund will help protect businesses, employees and their customers from COVID-19,” State Fund President & CEO Vern Steiner said in a statement announcing the fund. “By providing this support, we’re ensuring that businesses can afford to make the critical safety upgrades needed to meet the governor’s prudent, phased re-opening recommendations.”

The fund was designed specifically for businesses who were not deemed “essential” under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 executive orders. It provides grants to qualified policyholders to help defray the costs of safety-related expenses, planned or already incurred, related to protecting their workforces from COVID-19. The fund covers costs such as goggles, masks, and gloves; cleaning supplies and services; and worksite modifications.

Individual grants can total up to twice the policyholder’s estimated annual premium up to a maximum of $10,000, whichever is less. These grants are not a loan and do not require repayment. They can be applied to expenses incurred as early as March 1, or to future expenses related to protecting the workforce from COVID-19.

State Fund will continue to accept applications and award grants until the $50 million fund is depleted. Applications and fund details are available on State Fund’s website.

State Fund is California’s not-for-profit provider of workers’ comp insurance, and is funded solely by premiums and investment income.