Unemployment (Reemployment) Assistance
Visit FloridaJobsResources.org for more information and their FAQs regarding COVID-19 and reemployment. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Reemployment Assistance program, please call (800) 204-2418. Tips for applying for unemployment.
Unemployment assistance can be applied for in English, Spanish, and Creole. Please note that paper applications could potentially take longer to process than completing an online application. Click here to complete the online application for Reemployment Assistance, which is also available in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Check your eligibility for unemoployment using this infographic.
We have assembled some links and tips to help you as you apply for unemployment assistance. Residents needing assistance with the paper application may email [email protected] and a volunteer will be able to assist. Paper applications are available throughout Monroe County and the libraries and public buildings.
*The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has suspended the work registration and work search requirements for Reemployment Assistance (RA) applicants. The suspension of these requirements applies to claims filed from March 15, 2020 through May 2, 2020.
Florida Food Assistance Program (SNAP)
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1244 for general information, or apply online. See SNAP changes due to COVID-19.
DCF has been also directed by Governor DeSantis to automatically supplement SNAP allotments of current recipients up to the maximum for families of the household’s size for 2 months. DCF has stated that April supplements will be issued either on April 8th or on a family’s regular staggered issuance date.
American Addiction Centers
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
If you are a bartender or are the spouse/child of a bartender, and have been adversely effected by the COVID-19 pandemic, you can apply for financial assitance at https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap-application.
Baptist Health
Business Damage Assessment Survey
Managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the Business Damage Assessment Survey will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy. The information gathered allows State Government to fully assess the comprehensive impact COVID-19 is having on Florida businesses and industries, then mobilize the appropriate resources to help alleviate those pressures. Area businesses are encouraged to complete the survey, as these results inform decisions around the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program and other support resources. The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online at https://floridadisaster.biz/. For inquiries/assistance with the survey, contact Emergency Support Function 18 at [email protected].
CareConnect USA
CareConnect USA provides reliable financial helplines for families and employees. Visit https://careconnectusa.org/coronavirus-hotlines-usa/ for a list of hotlines and resources.
Centers for Disease Control
Reopening guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes.
Coronavirus Aid, Releif, and Economic Securities Act (CARES)
Department of Economic Opportunity- Short Time Compensation Program and Reemployement Assistance
Voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of laying off employees. If an employer establishes a Short Time Compensation Plan and an employee meets the qualifications to file a reemployment assistance claim in Florida, the employee will receive a partial reemployment check to supplement their reduced paycheck. For more information on requirements, please visit covid19.floridajobs.org.
*The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has suspended the work registration and work search requirements for Reemployment Assistance (RA) applicants. The suspension of these requirements applies to claims filed from March 15, 2020 through May 2, 2020.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Book orders for May books proceeded as normal.
Running Goodnight with Dolly, a 10-week series of Dolly read aloud videos where the Book Lady herself will read one Imagination Library bedtime story each week. Dolly will be reading There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake in Episode 5 this Thursday, April 30th at 7:00 p.m. EST.
FamilyWize Prescription Program
FEMA Disaster Unemployment Assistance
For freelancers who do not qualifiy for their state's unemployment inusrance may apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) by using the form here.
Florida Department Agriculture and Consumer Services' (FDACS)
Families can locate free meals for children under 18 through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Summer BreakSpot website. For most sites, no application is required.
Florida Department of Revenue
The Florida Department of Revenue has issued emergency orders pertaining to property tax and sales tax due dates. Please visit their Media page for more information. For more information regarding sales tax due dates, visit the General Tax Administration Program COVID-19 webpage.
Florida House Majority Media
List of go-to resources from agencies providing assistance and answering questions concerning COVID-19, visit floridahousemedia.gov.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan
See FloridaDisasterLoan.org for more information.
IRS
Federal tax deadline extended from April 15th to July 15th, 2020. For more information, visit www.irs/coronavirus.
What you need to know about the Economic Impact Payments, in English and Spanish. Here is a handy flyer that you can print and share.
There have been significant enhancements to the “Get My Payment” tool to deliver an improved experience for Americans eligible to receive Economic Impact Payments. Visit https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-enhances-get-my-payment-online-application-to-help-taxpayers to learn more.
Medicare and Medicaid
For general info and updates on Medicare, visit their Coronavirus web page.
Medicare Telehealth
Expanded Medicare telehealth coverage will enable beneficiaries to recieve a wider range of healthcare services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility, including; office visits, mental health counseling and preventive health screenings. Beneficiaries will be able to receive services in any healthcare facility including a physician's office, hospital, nursing home, or rural health clinic, as well as from their homes. Patients can access their doctors using a wider range of communication tools including telephones that have audio and video capability.
Telehealth services are paid under the Physician Fee Schedule at the same amount as in-person services. Medicare coinsurance and deductible still apply for these services.
MusicCares Emergency Financial Assistance
MusiCares is the Emergency Financial Assistance Program that provides critical funds for music people struggling with financial, medical or personal crises. This program offers financial assistance for medical expenses including doctor, dental and hospital bills, prescriptions, addiction recovery treatment, psychotherapy, treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other critical illnesses, as well as basic living expenses such as rent and utilities. Fill out this form and email the required documents [email protected].
Musicians Foundation Financial Assistance
All professional musicians, regardless of their genre or instrument, can apply for themselves or a family member if they meet the qualifications listed below. Applications may also (but not additionally) be submitted by a friend or family member on behalf of a musician in need. Visit https://musiciansfoundation.submittable.com/submit to apply.
Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released an FAQ document in English and in Spanish detailing how small business owners can take advantage of the new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a key provision of Rubio’s bipartisan Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act that was signed into law as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Small businesses and lenders can submit questions to [email protected]. Read the press release in it's entirety here.
US Department of Labor
As provided under the legislation, the U.S. Department of Labor will be issuing implementing regulations. Additionally, as warranted, the Department will continue to provide compliance assistance to employers and employees on their responsibilities and rights under the FFCRA.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Emergency Employee Paid Leave Rights Fact Sheet for Employers: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights and Family and Medical Leave FAQ: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions.
US Small Business Administration
Disaster assistance in response to the coronavirus. See sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance for more information.
Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act
The SBA South Florida District Office will host a series of Small Business Recovery webinars (below) to provide the latest information on how the SBA is helping small businesses with their economic recovery from the effects of COVID-19. These webinars are free to attend. Each call is limited to the first 750 callers so dial in early.
