Office of Criminal Justice Grants

The Identity Theft and Fraud (IDTF) grant program was created to provide support to local law enforcement agencies for the investigation of personal identification information theft and fraud. Funding for this program is supported through the payment of criminal fines for qualifying convictions relating to identity theft, as provided in 817.568(12)(a), Florida Statutes. 

FDLE received authority to administer funds for this program under 943.0412, Florida Statutes. A solicitation is released every one to two years, and awards will not exceed $10,000 each. Funds will be awarded on a first come, first served basis dependent on the receipt of a complete application packet. FDLE will continue issuing awards until all available funding is allocated.

View the Open Funding Opportunities webpage to determine if funds are available for the current fiscal year. Please direct any questions about this program via email to OCJGSFA@fdle.state.fl.us, or call (850) 617-1250.

Allowable and Restricted Expenses

Funds provided under this program may be used to support the following:

• Overtime and related fringe benefits for sworn officers conducting identity theft and fraud investigations.
• Investigative equipment and supplies utilized during identity theft cases, such as skimmers, ERAD devices, digital readers, computers, cryptocurrency wallets, etc.
• Surveillance equipment specifically used for identity theft and fraud investigations.
• Investigative/forensic software and electronic tools (all licensing/subscription fees must be pro-rated for the project period.)
• Registration fees and travel costs for training or conferences related to identity theft and fraud.
• Study materials and classes to prepare sworn officers for professional certification exams (exam fees are not allowable).

Activities occuring prior to the start date of the award period are unallowable. In addition, funds provided under this program may not be used to support the following:

• Regular salaries/positions (non-overtime).
• Overtime for community outreach initiatives (i.e. time spent educating the public at senior centers, HOAs, public events, etc.)
• Educational (i.e. crime prevention) brochures and materials for the public.
• Audio/visual presentation equipment (projectors, screens, speakers, sound equipment, etc.)
• Office furniture (desks, chairs, etc.)
• Standard office supplies (pens, pencils, paper, calculators, toner, etc.)
• Registration fees for professional certification exams.
• Membership dues for professional organizations.
• Trinkets and giveaway items.
• Uniforms.
• Construction/remodels.
• Food and beverage.
• Vehicles, tractors, and trailers.
• Administrative costs and overhead.

Equipment and supplies not directly related to the investigation of identity theft and fraud are not allowable under this program. FDLE will approve/deny each item in the proposed budget during the application phase. 

Reimbursement Process

Upon execution of the State Financial Assistance Agreement, Recipients are able to request reimbursement for eligible expenses in their approved budget. The steps for this process are described below: 

1. Recipient prepares an IDTF Payment Request Form (Excel).
2. Recipient gathers all required supporting documentation by budget category.
3. Recipient submits request form and all supporting documentation to OCJGSFA@fdle.state.fl.us for review and approval.

Supporting Documentation Required for Payment

• Personnel/Fringe Benefits: (a) a timesheet that includes the member name, date worked, hours worked, and grant-funded program name; (b) a pay stub reflecting the overtime hours and rate of pay that correlates to the submitted claim; and (c) if requesting benefits, the pay stub must reflect the amount of FICA/retirement (or other benefits) paid by the recipient organization, not the member deduction. 
• Travel/Training:  (a) a copy of the training agenda; (b) a completed State of Florida travel voucher;  and (c) receipts for hotel, parking, registration, airfare, rental car, etc. Food receipts are not required. Travel will be reimbursed in accordance with State of Florida Travel Guidelines in Section 112.061, Florida Statutes. Mileage claimed must include a printed map showing the total miles between destinations.
• Equipment, Supplies, Other Costs: (a) procurement documentation (quotes, bids, etc.); (b) purchase orders; (c) invoices; and (d) cancelled checks or bank/credit card statements.