Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund accepting applications

As part of a new pandemic relief package for several sectors, the state has launched a bar and restaurant relief fund. The other aid packages are for homeowners and other small businesses. When the program was announced earlier this week, the website was inundated with applications and many had trouble accessing the application.

See below for a message from the state in that regard:

Due to great interest in this program, you may experience delays while using the online application. This application is best viewed using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari browsers. Some users may experience issues using Internet Explorer and FireFox. Thank you for your patience.

The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund is designed to assist Ohio’s on-premise liquor permit holders.

This $38.7 million fund will help more than 15,400 licensees significantly impacted by COVID-19 and

limited in the full use of their liquor permit. Funding for the program is from the CARES Act.

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control has more than 15,000 permit

holders that qualify for the assistance fund. This applies to roughly 30 permit types, including bars,

restaurants, breweries, distilleries, wineries, casinos and private clubs. They include:

A1 A1A A1C A2 A2F D1 D2 D2X D3 D3A

D4 D4A D5 D5A D5B D5C D5D D5E D5F D5G

D5H D5I D5J D5K D5L D5M D5N D5O D7

These permit holders need to have had an active on-premise permit as of close-of-business October

23, 2020. The business does not have to be currently open but must have an active liquor license. You

can check the status of your liquor permit here. If it’s active, it will be listed as “issued.”

After applying, a licensee will receive $2,500 per unique business location.

Application Requirements

Licensees must present their FEIN or SSN, and liquor permit number and address for each unique

location at time of application. The Department of Taxation will confirm all entries. Applications

will be accepted through December 30, 2020. Once money is received, per CARES Act stipulation,

businesses are to use the funds on COVID-related expenses due to business interruptions caused

by the pandemic. You must have an OH|ID to apply. If you do not have an OH|ID account, you can create one for free. Step-by-step instructions are available.

Application Process

Visit BusinessHelp.Ohio.Gov to access the online application. Permit holders may apply for the liquor assistance funding as well as the Small Business Relief Grant through the online application at BusinessHelp.Ohio.Gov.

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services will be sending checks to permit holders as soon as

applications are processed. Funds cannot be distributed after Dec. 31, 2020.