Are the costs of obtaining an identifcation card eligible under ESG?

Question:

Are the costs of obtaining an identification card eligible under Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)? 

Answer:

ESG funds may be used to pay for primary documents, such as drivers licenses or birth records, only when the primary documents are necessary for a program participant to obtain and/or maintain housing. The costs associated with obtaining primary documents for this purpose may be charged under the following activities:

• Emergency Shelter: essential services; case management
• Rapid Re-Housing: Housing stability case management
• Homelessness Prevention: Housing stability case management

However, please note that recipients and subrecipients should use funds other than ESG program funds whenever possible to cover the cost of obtaining primary documents.