Resources for Coping with the Impact of COVID-19
We are living in challenging times. We understand that the ongoing measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 are having a direct, negative effect on each of us.
At NHSSF, we want to let you know that you are not alone, whether you are an individual, a family, or a small business.
We came up with a list of online resources to help Miami-Dade and Broward residents to cope with this crisis.
I have lost my income
Capital Good Fund is a nonprofit, certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that helps people fix their finances. CDFI is currently offering three small loan programs for individuals as well as personalized financial and health coaching to families in Florida and other states across the U.S.
You can find more information about the Crisis Relief, Immigration, and Vehicle Purchase or Refinance loan programs here.
I can’t pay the rent
Miami-Dade County
Across Miami Dade County there are some rental assistance programs still opened.
The City of Hialeah has Covid-19 Rental Assistance program “specifically geared toward helping individuals and families impacted by Covid-19 public health emergency.” Find more information an apply here: http://www.hialeahfl.gov/690/Funding-Opportunities
The City of Miami reopened its Emergency Rental Assistance program on July 12. You can find more information here: https://www.miamigov.com/Residents/Housing/ERA-Program
As of today, 7/30 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) has reopened for Miami-Dade County renters. Get up to $3,000/month towards owed rent if you are unable to pay due to the pandemic. If you previously applied, you can apply again and can receive more help as long as it does not duplicate assistance you have already received. If you were denied, you can apply again. For all details and to apply, visit https://www.miamidade.gov/global/housing/emergency-rental-assistance-program.page
Broward County
County-wide there is only one program available right now: The Emergency Rent Assistance (ERAP) program. If you are behind on your rent or utilities, or unable to pay your current rent, the ERAP can help. Even if you applied for and were denied under previous COVID-19 rental assistance programs, you can apply again. Find more information here: https://www.broward.org/RentAssistance/Pages/default.aspx
Eviction Moratorium
The Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an order that may stop landlords from evicting some tenants. The order went into effect on September 4, 2020 through December, 31, 2021 and it has been extended through June 30, 2021. The moratorium that was schedule to expire a month ago was extended through July 31, 2021. This is intended to be the final extension of the moratorium. For any updates on the moratorium extension please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-eviction-declaration.html
For information on tenants’ legal rights and resources, please visit https://www.legalservicesmiami.org/covid-19 or call 305-576-0080 for legal help or questions regarding eviction prevention.
Additional resources
On July 28, 2021 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released an online tool to help renters and landlords impacted by the pandemic easily find and apply for payment assistance for rent, utilities, and other expenses. Visit the Rental Assistance Finder, it connects renters and landlords with the state and local programs that are distributing billions of dollars in federal assistance nationwide to help renters stay housed during the pandemic.
Also, CFPB works closely with partners across the federal government to provide homeowners and renters the resources they need, including information to understand their rights and protections. Along with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the CFPB has created consumerfinance.gov/housing, which serves as the federal government’s one-stop, go-to resource for up-to-date information on relief options, protections, and key deadlines.
I can't pay the mortgage
If you reside in Broward and you haven’t been able to keep up with your mortgage payments due to Covid-19 pandemic, you can still apply for our Emergency Relief Program for Housing Stabilization. Find more information and the application form here: https://nhssf.org/nhssf-emergency-relief-program-for-broward-residents/
Also, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) works closely with partners across the federal government to provide homeowners and renters the resources they need, including information to understand their rights and protections. Along with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the CFPB has created consumerfinance.gov/housing, which serves as the federal government’s one-stop, go-to resource for up-to-date information on relief options, protections, and key deadlines.
If Fannie Mae owns your loan, they’ve created a loan lookup tool with which you can check if you qualify for programs providing payment relief due to COVID-19, like a forbearance plan or loan modification program.
Foreclosure moratorium for federally backed mortgages expires July 31. If you are low-income, have not been able to make your mortgage payments, and are in default and at risk of foreclosure, please call Legal Services of Greater Miami at 305-576-0080 for legal help or questions regarding foreclosure prevention.
If the coronavirus has made it difficult to pay your mortgage these are 5 steps to take to request mortgage relief. The video has been created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
I have children and need assistance for my family
The Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan provides the largest child tax credit and historic relief to the most working families ever. Low-income families with children are eligible for this crucial tax relief -including those who have not made enough money to be required to file taxes. See how the Child Tax Credit works for families like yours: https://www.whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credit/
Low-income families with children can get financial help from the state's cash assistance program, formerly known as welfare. The Temporary Cash Assistance program provides short-term financial aid to families with children under the age of 18, including single moms and dads as well as pregnant women. The program mandates self-sufficiency, i. e., job training, work requirements, and other objectives must be met.
The ACCESS Florida program is available online and also by phone at 1-850-300-4323, ext. 4323.
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade WIC program provides healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and family resources to women, infants, children, and families in Miami-Dade County. Pregnant or recently postpartum women or caretakers of children under age 5 are eligible to apply, by appointment only.
Call 786-336-1300 for more info.
Camillus Health Concern is providing medication at no cost for Miami-area residents who have no other resources or are homeless. Call 305-577-4840 or visit http://camillushealth.org/.
I need food (for my family and myself)
If you need to secure food for you or your family, you should apply for the Food Assistance Program (SNAP) immediately. The food assistance provided can be used for buying bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, among other products. New customers are welcome to apply (people with or whose dependents have now reduced pay/hours). If you apply for SNAP online, you can access multiple benefits in one application. Customer call center is available at 850-300-4323.
If you follow this link, you will learn how Feeding South Florida is responding to Covid-19: https://feedingsouthflorida.org/covid19/
The Salvation Army of Miami offers bags of food to Miami-area residents in need every week during the COVID-19 outbreak. Food assistance is available by appointment only. To find a Community Center near you, visit https://salvationarmyflorida.org/miami-ac/#about-us.
Finally, Miami-Dade County is providing free meals for the elderly through its program Meals on Wheels. Eligible Meals on Wheels participants receive seven free frozen meals each week at their residence, along with fresh fruit, milk, and other food items. The meals are delivered between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. For more info, please call 786-469-4707 or visit Meals for the Elderly
I am seeking assistance for students
For the latest updates regarding the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year visit:
Miami-Dade: http://reopening.dadeschools.net/
Broward: http://reopening.dadeschools.net/
I need support for my business
Axis South Florida is an online platform, created by Microsoft in collaboration with Citi that provides simple, easy-to-understand information and support to help South Florida small businesses and nonprofits secure the economic support they need to withstand the COVID-19 crisis and emerge stable.
How to make a mask / Additional support
Americans are increasingly adopting the use of cloth face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the latest science may convince even more to do so. To follow both health officials’ recommendations and have a mask on hand whenever you need to go out: Make a mask for yourself.
There is still a way to follow both health officials’ recommendations and have a mask on hand whenever you need to go out: Make a mask for yourself.
The Washington Post proposes the following design/fabrics:
Click Here to Watch a Video Tutorial
But if you find the tutorial “How to sew a face mask” too complicated, CDC has a few patterns for you to follow, and there’s even a video from General Jerome Adams showing him making a mask out of cloth and rubber bands only.
Help from pastors and emotional care workers is now available through a support hotline launched by the Salvation Army USA.
The hotline number is 1-844-458-HOPE (4673). Workers will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Counselors are available for callers who speak English and Spanish. People can leave a message after hours. You can visit www.SalvationArmyFlorida.org/pray and request a pastor to call.
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