Circuit Breaker Annual Claim Cycle

The Circuit Breaker Program provides reimbursements to district through two annual claim cycles: Year-End claims and Extraordinary Relief. Important dates are included in the Superintendent's Checklist annually.

Year-End Circuit Breaker Claims

Year-end claims are filed by districts in July for the previous fiscal year, and all districts with per-student expenditures above the threshold are encouraged to participate in this cycle. Reimbursements are paid quarterly in the fiscal year after expenses are incurred.

Money received through quarterly reimbursement from year-end claiming cannot be carried forward more than one fiscal year. For example, FY2024 reimbursements must be spent in FY2024 and/or FY2025, and cannot be carried into FY2026.

Extraordinary Relief

Extraordinary Relief is available to districts experiencing a steep increase in districtwide Circuit Breaker eligible tuition and instruction expenses (not including transportation) from one year to the next. Districts spending 125% or more in the current fiscal year (including projections through fiscal year-end) than was spent in these categories in the previous fiscal year can claim Extraordinary Relief. Qualifying districts submit Extraordinary Relief claims in March and reimbursements are paid in May.

Money received through Extraordinary Relief reimbursement must be spent in the same fiscal year in which it was received. For example, extraordinary relief received by a district in May 2024 must be spent in FY2024 and cannot be carried into FY2025.

Last Updated: July 19, 2023