Program Guidelines

This is the online application to apply for a rebate through the SSA 18 Service Fee Rebate Program. If you have any questions while completing this application, email [email protected] or call 773-883-0500.

1. Description

The Service Fee Rebate Program (the “Program”) was created and approved by the Northalsted Special Service Area 18 (“SSA 18”) Commission in emergency response to COVID-19. This Program is funded by SSA 18  and administered by the Northalsted Business Alliance (“Chamber”). The goal of the Program is to support local businesses impacted by the increased operational service fees, third party delivery fees, or credit card processing fees to businesses within SSA 18 boundaries.

Applicants that meet all Program requirements outlined in this document may receive a rebate of up to 50% of eligible costs, not to exceed a total of $250 per business. Due to the evolving nature of COVID-19 and its impacts on businesses, the SSA 18 Commission reserves the right to implement additional Eligibility Requirements as it deems reasonable, and change or end the Program at any time.

2. Eligible Applicants

1. Applicants must be located on the following SSA 18 service area corridors:
   • Halsted Street (Belmont to Grace)
   • Broadway (Grace to Irving Park)
   • Clarendon Avenue – West Side (Broadway to Irving Park)
2. Applicants may only seek a rebate for operational service fees, third party delivery fees, or credit card processing fees. 
3. Applicants must be the entity paying for the original fees. 
4. Applicants must comply with all requirements and deadlines set forth in these Guidelines and Application and respond to any questions in a timely manner.

3. Eligible Projects

Applicants may apply to receive rebates for the reimbursement of eligible service fees. The Commission reserves the right to reject any questionable documentation, as well as implement such additional Program rules and regulations as it deems reasonable. Additional conditions that may determine Program eligibility are outlined below.

1. Applicants may only use funds for fees associated with business  approved by the SSA 18 Commission and located within SSA 18 boundaries.
2. Applicants must meet Program guidelines and applications are subject to review by the SSA 18 Commission.
3. Applicants must comply with all applicable city, state and federal laws and requirements.
4. Purchases must be completed in accordance with the specifications described in the approved application, following the scope in the application, reflecting submitted costs by a vendor (if applicable) whose estimate was submitted with the application.
5. Only purchases made during the rebate period will be eligible. The rebate period for this Program is January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021.
6. Expenses eligible for the program are:

• Food/product delivery service fees
• Credit card processing fees
• Third party merchant fees

Applicants or costs that are not eligible to receive a rebate include:

1. Limit one Service Fee rebate per rebate period per business
2. Businesses not located on the SSA 18 service corridors.

4. Rebate Amounts

Applicants that meet all Program requirements outlined in this document may receive a rebate of up to 50% of eligible costs, not to exceed a total of $250. Rebates are awarded only after the project is approved by the SSA 18 Board of Commissioners, paid in full, and all required documentation has been submitted to the Chamber at time of application. In case applications exceed current funding, the SSA 18 Commission and Northalsted Business Alliance will ensure fair and impartial distribution of rebates by employing a lottery system to determine funding order and creating a waitlist for funding should it become available. The SSA 18 Board of Commissioners may award a rebate at an amount less than the allowable maximum.

5. Application Process

All Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2021.

Applications are subject to review and approval by the SSA 18 Board of Commissioners and a business shall only be awarded a rebate once, subject to funding availability. To apply for a rebate through the Program, applicants must complete the following online application. Applications will be reviewed at the next scheduled SSA committee meeting and will be considered in the order that they are received until all Program funding is disbursed for the fiscal year. Paper applications submitted via mail will not be considered eligible.

In order to provide as many businesses within SSA 18 the opportunity to participate in these COVID-19 business rebate assistance programs as possible the applicants with multiple applications may be subject to a 10 business day waiting period prior to the processing of sequential applications.

6. Review Process

Due to the sudden and pressing need to provide businesses with urgent relief, applications will forgo a formal SSA 18 Commission vote and will be reviewed and approved in writing by a minimum of two SSA 18 Commissioners. The SSA 18 Commissioners will review and accept or reject each completed application in their sole and absolute discretion, including determination as to which proposed projects meet the Program guidelines, and how much funding to award each project. Upon receipt of application, the SSA 18 Commissioners will have five business days to review and issue inquiries related to the application. Once applicants respond to all inquiries in full, the SSA 18 Commissioners will issue their final decision to applicants via email.

7. Project Implementation

Projects should be completed prior to application submission the applicant may request that the Commission review qualifying expenses beginning February 15, 2021 through the application submission.

8. Rebate Request and Distribution

Once an eligible application has been submitted and approved by the SSA 18 Commision in accordance with the rules herein, the Chamber will consider the approved application as a Rebate Request.

A rebate check will be processed within 30 days following receipt of the Rebate Request.

Program Application