---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 801"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "801"
heading: "Coronavirus relief fund"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/801"
units:
  - "Chapter 7 — Social Security"
  - "Subchapter VI — Coronavirus Relief, Fiscal Recovery, and Critical Capital Projects Funds"
---

# §801. Coronavirus relief fund

- (a) **Appropriation—**
  - (1) **In general—** Out of any money in the Treasury of the [United States](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-2) not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated for making payments to [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), Tribal governments, and units of local government under this section, $150,000,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020.
  - (2) **Reservation of funds—** Of the amount appropriated under [paragraph (1)](#a-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall reserve—
    - (A) $3,000,000,000 of such amount for making payments to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the [United States](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-2) Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa; and
    - (B) $8,000,000,000 of such amount for making payments to Tribal governments.
- (b) **Authority to make payments—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to [paragraph (2)](#b-2), not later than 30 days after March 27, 2020, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall pay each [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) and Tribal government, and each unit of local government that meets the condition described in [paragraph (2)](#b-2), the amount determined for the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), Tribal government, or unit of local government, for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020 under [subsection (c)](#c).
  - (2) **Direct payments to units of local government—** If a unit of local government of a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) submits the certification required by [subsection (e)](#e) for purposes of receiving a direct payment from the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) under the authority of this paragraph, the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall reduce the amount determined for that [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) by the relative unit of local government population proportion amount described in [subsection (c)(5)](#c-5) and pay such amount directly to such unit of local government.
- (c) **Payment amounts—**
  - (1) **In general—** Subject to [paragraph (2)](#c-2), the amount paid under this section for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020 to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) that is 1 of the 50 [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) shall be the amount equal to the relative population proportion amount determined for the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) under [paragraph (3)](#c-3) for such [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
  - (2) **Minimum payment—**
    - (A) **In general—** No [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) that is 1 of the 50 [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) shall receive a payment under this section for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020 that is less than $1,250,000,000.
    - (B) **Pro rata adjustments—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall adjust on a pro rata basis the amount of the payments for each of the 50 [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) determined under this subsection without regard to this subparagraph to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A).
  - (3) **Relative population proportion amount—** For purposes of [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the relative population proportion amount determined under this paragraph for a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020 is the product of—
    - (A) the amount appropriated under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) of subsection (a) for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020 that remains after the application of [paragraph (2)](#c-2) of that subsection; and
    - (B) the relative [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) population proportion (as defined in [paragraph (4)](#c-4)).
  - (4) **Relative State population proportion defined—** For purposes of [paragraph (3)(B)](#c-3-B), the term “relative [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) population proportion” means, with respect to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), the quotient of—
    - (A) the population of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5); and
    - (B) the total population of all [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) (excluding the District of Columbia and [territories](/usc/42/701.md?p=c-5-C) specified in [subsection (a)(2)(A)](#a-2-A)).
  - (5) **Relative unit of local government population proportion amount—** For purposes of [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2), the term “relative unit of local government population proportion amount” means, with respect to a unit of local government and a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), the amount equal to the product of—
    - (A) 45 percent of the amount of the payment determined for the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) under this subsection (without regard to this paragraph); and
    - (B) the amount equal to the quotient of—
      - (i) the population of the unit of local government; and
      - (ii) the total population of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) in which the unit of local government is located.
  - (6) **District of Columbia and territories—** The amount paid under this section for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020 to a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) that is the District of Columbia or a [territory](/usc/42/701.md?p=c-5-C) specified in [subsection (a)(2)(A)](#a-2-A) shall be the amount equal to the product of—
    - (A) the amount set aside under [subsection (a)(2)(A)](#a-2-A) for such [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3); and
    - (B) each such District’s and [territory](/usc/42/701.md?p=c-5-C)’s share of the combined total population of the District of Columbia and all such [territories](/usc/42/701.md?p=c-5-C), as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6).
  - (7) **Tribal governments—** From the amount set aside under [subsection (a)(2)(B)](#a-2-B) for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020, the amount paid under this section for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020 to a Tribal government shall be the amount the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall determine, in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) of the Interior and [Indian Tribes](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A), that is based on increased expenditures of each such Tribal government (or a tribally-owned entity of such Tribal government) relative to aggregate expenditures in [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2019 by the Tribal government (or tribally-owned entity) and determined in such manner as the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) determines appropriate to ensure that all amounts available under [subsection (a)(2)(B)](#a-2-B) for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2020 are distributed to Tribal governments.
  - (8) **Data—** For purposes of this subsection, the population of [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) and units of local governments shall be determined based on the most recent year for which data are available from the Bureau of the Census.
- (d) **Use of funds—** A [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), Tribal government, and unit of local government shall use the funds provided under a payment made under this section to cover only those costs of the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), Tribal government, or unit of local government that—
  - (1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19);
  - (2) were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020, for the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) or government; and
  - (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 31, 2021 (or, in the case of costs incurred by a Tribal government, during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 31, 2022).
- (e) **Certification—** In order to receive a payment under this section, a unit of local government shall provide the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) with a certification signed by the Chief Executive for the unit of local government that the local government’s proposed uses of the funds are consistent with [subsection (d)](#d).
- (f) **Inspector General oversight; recoupment—**
  - (1) **Oversight authority—** The Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall conduct monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of funds made available under this section.
  - (2) **Recoupment—** If the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury determines that a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), Tribal government, or unit of local government has failed to comply with [subsection (d)](#d), the amount equal to the amount of funds used in [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of such subsection shall be booked as a debt of such entity owed to the Federal Government. Amounts recovered under this subsection shall be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury.
  - (3) **Appropriation—** Out of any money in the Treasury of the [United States](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-2) not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury, $35,000,000 to carry out oversight and recoupment activities under this subsection. Amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended.
  - (4) **Authority of Inspector General—** Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to diminish the authority of any Inspector General, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) such authority as provided in the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).[^1]
- (g) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Indian Tribe—** The term “[Indian Tribe](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A)” has the meaning given that term in [section 5304(e) of title 25](/usc/25/5304.md?p=e).
  - (2) **Local government—** The term “unit of local government” means a county, municipality, town, township, village, parish, borough, or other unit of general government below the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) level with a population that exceeds 500,000.
  - (3) **Secretary—** The term “[Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6)” means the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) of the Treasury.
  - (4) **State—** The term “[State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)” means the 50 [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the [United States](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-2) Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
  - (5) **Tribal government—** The term “Tribal government” means the recognized governing body of an [Indian Tribe](/usc/42/619.md?p=4-A).

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, § 601, as added Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title V, § 5001(a), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 501; amended Pub. L. 116–260, div. N, title X, § 1001, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2145; Pub. L. 117–328, div. LL, § 104, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 6105.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Inspector General Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (f)(4), is Pub. L. 95–452, Oct. 12, 1978, 92 Stat. 1101, which was set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, and was substantially repealed and restated in chapter 4 (§ 401 et seq.) of Title 5 by Pub. L. 117–286, §§ 3(b), 7, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4206, 4361. For disposition of sections of the Act into chapter 4 of Title 5, see Disposition Table preceding section 101 of Title 5.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 801, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, § 601, as added Pub. L. 108–27, title IV, § 401(b), May 28, 2003, 117 Stat. 766, related to temporary State fiscal relief, prior to repeal by act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, § 601(g), as added Pub. L. 108–27, title IV, § 401(b), May 28, 2003, 117 Stat. 768.

Another prior section 801, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, § 601, as added Oct. 30, 1972, Pub. L. 92–603, title III, § 302, 86 Stat. 1478, authorized appropriations for encouraging States to furnish rehabilitation to needy individuals 65 years of age or older, and the blind or disabled, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 93–647, §§ 3(b), 7(b), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2349, 2351.

Another prior section 801, acts Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title VI, § 601, 49 Stat. 634; Aug. 10, 1939, ch. 666, title V, § 509, 53 Stat. 1381, which provided appropriations for the purpose of assisting States and subdivisions in maintaining adequate public health services, was repealed by act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIII, § 1313, formerly title VI, § 611, 58 Stat. 719. See section 246 of this title.

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 117–328 inserted “(or, in the case of costs incurred by a Tribal government, during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 31, 2022)” before period at end.

2020—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–260 substituted “December 31, 2021” for “December 30, 2020”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Renumbering of Repealing Act

Act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VI, § 611, 58 Stat. 719, which repealed prior sections 801 to 803, was renumbered title VII, § 711, by act Aug. 13, 1946, ch. 958, § 5, 60 Stat. 1049; renumbered § 713 by act Feb. 28, 1948, ch. 83, § 9(b), 62 Stat. 47; renumbered title VIII, § 813, by act July 30, 1956, ch. 779, § 3(b), 70 Stat. 721; renumbered title IX, § 913, by Pub. L. 88–581, § 4(b), Sept. 4, 1964, 78 Stat. 919; renumbered title X, § 1013, by Pub. L. 89–239, § 3(b), Oct. 6, 1965, 79 Stat. 931; renumbered title XI, § 1113, by Pub. L. 91–572, § 6(b), Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1506; renumbered title XII, § 1213, by Pub. L. 92–294. § 3(b), May 16, 1972, 86 Stat. 137; renumbered title XIII, § 1313, by Pub. L. 93–154, § 2(b)(2), Nov. 16, 1973, 87 Stat. 604, and repealed by Pub. L. 93–222, § 7(b), Dec. 29, 1973, 87 Stat. 936.