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FVPSA Grant Funding: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions about allowable uses of FVPSA grant funds

Each question includes a note on the underlying federal regulation, including recent updates from 45 CFR Part 75 to 2 CFR Part 200.

Can FVPSA grant recipients purchase food with FVPSA grant funds? 

Yes, FVPSA grant recipients are allowed to purchase food with federal funds in certain instances. The general rule that the costs must be reasonable and necessary for carrying out the grant is always required. Paying for food for staff meetings is not allowable and is not considered as necessary for carrying out the grant requirements, since staff are expected to meet their own food needs. However, purchasing food for a community event, survivor support group, or children's event is allowable. 

Regulatory basis 
Updates: 2 CFR § 200.456: Participant support costs. 
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part200/subpart-E/section-200.456 
"Participant support costs are allowable (see § 200.1). The classification of items a participant support costs must be documented in the recipient's or subrecipient's written policies and procedures and treated consistently across all Federal awards." 
Replaces: 45 CFR §75.420—75.432 

Can FVPSA grant recipients use FVPSA grant funds to purchase food for a conference or training? 

Yes, costs of meals and refreshments and other incidentals paid by the non-Federal entity as a sponsor or host of a conference is allowable unless further restricted by the terms and conditions of the Federal award. 

Regulatory basis 
Updates: 2 CFR §200.432: Conferences. 
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part200/subpart-E/section-200.432 
"A conference means an event whose primary purpose is to disseminate technical information beyond the recipient or subrecipient and is necessary and reasonable for successful performance under the Federal award. Allowable conference costs may include the rental of facilities, speakers' fees, attendance fees, costs of meals and refreshments, local transportation, and other items incidental to such conferences unless further restricted by the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The costs of identifying and providing locally available dependent-care resources for participants are allowable as needed. Conference hosts/sponsors must exercise discretion and judgment in ensuring that conference costs are appropriate, necessary, and managed to minimize costs to the Federal award. The Federal agency may authorize exceptions for programs including Indian Tribes, children, and the elderly. See also §§ 200.438, 200.456, and 200.475." 
Replaces: 45 CFR §75.432 

Can FVPSA grant recipients and subrecipients use FVPSA grant funds to support the costs of employees working on the FVPSA Federal award in addition to other grant awards? 

Yes, per 2 CFR 200.405 (Allocability of Costs), FVPSA recipients and sub-recipients can support the costs of employees working on the FVPSA Federal award in addition to other federal awards. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/section-200.405 

Regulatory basis 
Updates: 2 CFR 200.405 
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part200/subpart-E/section-200.405 
Replaces: 45 CFR 75.405 

Can FVPSA funds be used to purchase vehicles for allowable grant purposes? 

Yes, 2 CFR §200.313 (Equipment) outlines the conditions for approval, use, and disposition of vehicles. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/section-200.313 

Regulatory basis 
Updates: 2 CFR 200.313 
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part200/subpart-D/section-200.313 
Replaces: 45 CFR Part 75.320 

 

Can FVPSA funds be used to pay for vehicle repairs for survivors? 

Yes, vehicle repairs would be considered a supportive service (e.g. transportation) under 42 U.S.C. § 10408(b)(1)(G)(v). The FVPSA grant recipient/subrecipient would need to pay the FVPSA funds for the vehicle repairs directly to the third-party vendor (e.g. the mechanic or garage). FVPSA funds cannot be given directly to the victim as a reimbursement (42 U.S.C. §10408(d)(1)). 

Regulatory basis 
Updates: 2 CFR 200.403 and 200.405 
Vehicle repairs may be allowable when they are necessary to provide transportation as a supportive service under 42 U.S.C. § 10408(b)(1)(G)(v), and the costs meet the Federal cost principles in 2 CFR §§ 200.403 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part200/subpart-E/section-200.403), 200.405 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part200/subpart-E/section-200.405), including being necessary, reasonable, allocable, and adequately documented. 
Replaces: 45 CFR 75.403, 75.404, 75.405 

Can FVPSA funds be used for rental assistance, moving expenses, hotel, motel, and/or utilities to support survivors? 

Yes, per 42 U.S.C. § 10408(b), FVPSA funds can be used for these purposes. These expenses are considered allowable short-term or temporary assistance to support victims and their dependents. The FVPSA grant recipient/subrecipient would need to make the payment directly to the third-party vendor (e.g. landlord, hotel, motel, moving company or utility company). FVPSA funds cannot be given directly to the victim as a reimbursement (42 U.S.C. § 10408(d)(1)). 

Can FVPSA funding be used to pay for protective orders, court fees, and other legal costs associated with domestic violence cases? 

Yes, per 42 U.S.C. § 10408(b)(1)(G)(ii), FVPSA funding can be used to support legal advocacy to assist victims and their dependents. 

Regulatory basis 
Updates: 2 CFR 200.403—405 
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 10408(b)(1)(G)(ii), FVPSA funds may be used to support legal advocacy services that assist victims and their dependents, including advocacy related to obtaining protective orders and navigating the legal system. Costs associated with legal advocacy must be necessary, reasonable, allocable, and consistent with the approved FVPSA award and the Federal cost principles in 2 CFR §§ 200.403 (Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part75/subpart-E/section-75.403) and 200.405 (Allocable Costs) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part75/subpart-E/section-75.405). 
Replaces: 45 CFR 75.403, 75.404, 75.405