OPEN MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020
Yesterday, Tuesday April 28, 2020, the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners approved the Pinellas CARES Financial Assistance Program which aims to deploy $170M from the CARES Act.
$130M is earmarked for Pinellas County residents. ($35M is earmarked for Pinellas County small businesses.)
The county, in partnership with 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares, will provide one-time assistance up to $4,000 for residents CURRENTLY EARNING at or below 200% of the federal poverty level based on the most recent two weeks of earnings.
Eligibility for Individuals.
•Job or income loss directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. your workplace shut down under state or local orders): You will be required to provide documentation. Examples: paystubs, a letter from employer, proof of employer business closure.
•Income restrictions apply: County residents should be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For example, income for a 1-person household cannot exceed $2,127 (or $4,367 for a 4-person household) during the month in which the assistance is applied for. This cap applies to current earnings NOT pre-job loss earnings. Additionally, applicants should have NO MORE THAN $4,000 in liquid assets (cash, savings and checking).
•Pinellas County residency: proof may include driver’s license or utility bill with current address.
•Legal Status: proof of U.S. Citizenship, including naturalized citizens, or other legal residency status (i.e. permanent residents).
Payments will be made directly to the recipient’s mortgage lender, landlord or utility company.
If you meet ALL the above criteria. TO APPLY: Text COVIDCARES to 898211. You’ll be asked to send pictures or documentation referenced above to show you meet the qualifications. Applications will be processed from 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Once all your documentation has been received, you’ll get a message confirming the status of your application.
You can also call 211 for more information or for help applying.
http://www.pinellascounty.org/Covid19 NOTE- Website will be available this week.
We strongly encourage small businesses and residents of other counties to call or go online to see if a similar program is available.
We are here to guide you through this process and anything else to help you get through COVID-19. Email [email protected]. Please put COVID-19 in the subject line. Or call us at 727-327-1999.
In addition to the monthly newsletter and weekly blog we will be sending COVID-19 updates through “Email Updates”.
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Stay safe. Stay strong.
COVID-19 Disclaimer. Laws and regulations have quickly changed and will continue to change in order to mitigate the economic damage caused by the Coronavirus Crisis. New laws and regulations are being passed quicker than the legislative process has taken in the past. Guidance, clarifications, and interpretations are constantly evolving. Deadlines and due dates are being extended and re-extended. New relief and programs are constantly rising up. This is occurring on all levels: Federal, State, and Local. Please keep all this in mind. We are committed to giving you the best answer possible based on what we know at the time your question is asked. Information we publish may not be updated after initial publication/dissemination.
