CollierCARES reopens applications for individuals, families, businesses affected by pandemic

CollierCARES is reopening applications to both individual and family households, as well as small businesses that need assistance from impacts by the pandemic.

Applications for both assistance programs reopen 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19 and close at noon Monday, Nov. 2. Qualified applicants must apply online at CollierFLCARES.com.

To be eligible for short-term household assistance, applicants must be full-time Collier County residents behind on certain basic living payments, and business owners who employ 50 or fewer employees must also be Collier County residents, and their business must be located within the county to qualify.

For the short-term household assistance program, residents may receive one-time payments up to $11,250 per household. The limit for housing and utility assistance is $10,000 per household. Childcare assistance has a separate maximum award of $1,250.

Payment of other utilities that are a required term of the lease or rental agreement, such as water, sewer and trash, may be eligible, pending review of the lease/rental terms. Disbursements will be made directly to the childcare provider, mortgage company, power company, and/or property owner/landlord. Past due bills must have accumulated as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and must be documented. Individuals and households who received prior CollierCARES assistance or previously submitted an application may apply for additional assistance by submitting an email along with required documentation to HousingInfo@colliercountyfl.gov. First responders may qualify for reimbursement paid to licensed childcare facilities since March 1, 2020.

Income qualification mirrors the CARES Act Economic Impact Payment guidelines: Individuals with incomes up to $75,000 and households up to $150,000. Applicants must prove loss of employment or reduced hours due to COVID-19 and must verify Collier County residency. Please see the online application for complete information on this and other CollierCARES funding programs.

Small business assistance is intended to offset the costs of business interruption as the Collier County economy slowly reopens. This second round of funding is an extension of the first round for those who didn’t get the chance to apply. Funding is up to $25,000 for qualifying business and an additional $5,000 to those business that were completely closed as a result of the governor’s order.

Eligibility for small business applications will be determined by some of the following criteria:

• 50 or fewer full-time employees
• Business located within Collier County
• Active business tax license and state registration
• Business has suffered economic damages exceeding the amount awarded from business interruption due to State Executive Order since March 1, 2020, excluding those covered by federal assistance and insurance
• Signed waiver certifying no duplication of benefits
• Extensive copies of business financials to support expenditures
• Bank statements for March 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020, and 2019
• Profit and loss statements for March 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020, and 2019
• Proof of commercial leases – to validate it’s not a home-based business

These disbursements are part of the CollierCARES assistance program distributing the $67 million in total funds that Collier County received in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act emergency financial aid.

Sign up for alerts at CollierFLCARES.com. For general information about the CollierCARES program, you cam call (239) 252-8999 or dial 311 within Collier County. Anyone who needs assistance completing the application, or has questions about your application status, should also call 311. Frequently asked questions are also available online.