MANATEE COUNTY – For residents and businesses still working to recover from the financial effects of COVID-19, more help is coming in the form of CARES Act funds.
Nonprofit organizations that previously received funding through the Manatee County distribution of CARES Act money can extend their funding applications through March 31 to receive the same amount previously distributed. The total amount expected to be distributed is $2.9 million.
As part of the county’s phase three extended spending plan, nonprofits that provide food distribution to Manatee County residents can apply for funds beginning Feb. 26. The county has earmarked $750,000 for the effort.
Community health and wellbeing grants up to $5,000 also are available to nonprofits to assist in reconfiguring their spaces to allow for social distancing and to purchase safety equipment. Up to 100 applicants will be awarded the funds for a total of $500,000. The applications are scheduled to open at the end of February.
For homeowners, the mortgage assistance program is reopening the week of Feb. 22, though only 75 applications are planned to be accepted with a total of $500,000 available in funding. The funds will be available to Manatee County homeowners whose mortgage payments are in arrears due to loss of income related to the pandemic.
Small business owners who have not previously received a CARES funding grant with a physical location in Manatee County, 500 employees or fewer and documented financial losses due to COVID-19 can apply for financial assistance. Funds totaling $1 million will be available to brick and mortar and home-based businesses with applications opening on Feb. 8.
Small business owners can also receive up to $5,000 per business for an Open Safe grant to help pay for personal protective equipment, signage, outdoor seating, equipment, supplies and other items. The county plans to accept 250 applications with the application process opening the week of Feb. 8.
The county also has set aside $5 million in funding for vaccine distribution, staffing and COVID-19 testing.
Financial support totaling $4.2 million is being made available to Manatee Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Hospital for personal protective equipment and reimbursement for loss due to business interruption from the governor’s executive order 20-72. That order prohibited elective services at hospitals to make room for additional COVID-19 patients. Blake Medical Center opted out of the funding program.
Applications will be taken through Neighborly.com and the application period will only be open for a short time to allow for the quick distribution of funds. Anyone interested in applying for funds can visit this website to determine their eligibility and the requirements to apply for funding before the opening of the application window.
An emergency rental assistance program to sustain housing, not related to CARES Act funds, is being made available to help pay rent and utilities in arrears, home energy costs and other related housing expenses. The total amount available in Manatee County is $12,081,000.
To qualify for the emergency rental assistance program, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, reside in Manatee County, be delinquent on rent or utility payments due to COVID-19 on or after April 1, 2020, qualify for unemployment or be able to prove a reduction in household income or financial hardship due to COVID-19. The applicant also must have a household income of 80% or less below the area median income. The program can provide assistance for up to three months before the applicant has to reapply for additional funding. Manatee County is currently working with local nonprofits to provide utility assistance for utilities not included in rent payments.
Applications will be taken online on Neighborly and open on Feb. 16. More information on the emergency rental assistance program is available here.
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