On August 17, County to Open Leon CARES Applications with Millions in Federally Funded Direct Assistance

On August 17, County to Open Leon CARES Applications with Millions in Federally Funded Direct Assistance

 

If you have been impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible to apply for assistance through Leon County’s Leon CARES program. Starting Monday, August 17 at 8 a.m., eligible applicants may apply for direct assistance to support households, businesses, and human services agencies at www.LeonCountyCARES.com.

The Leon CARES program uses up to $51.2 million in federal dollars to fund essential public health and safety expenditures related to COVID-19 including enhanced testing and contract tracing, addressing food insecurity, direct assistance to individuals experiencing financial hardship, a variety of human service needs, critical economic relief to the local business community, and direct COVID-related costs incurred by the County, Constitutional and Judicial Offices, and the City of Tallahassee.

Until the application window opens, the Leon CARES website will have information on program eligibility and other details, as can be found below.

• Individual Assistance – Assists Leon County households with past-due rent, mortgage and utility bills.
  • Review eligibility criteria and brochure in advance of applications opening on Monday, August 17.
  • One-time payment up to $3,000.
• Small Business Assistance – Assists Leon County small businesses with COVID-19 expenses such as employee wages, vendor bills, rent, utilities, promotion, and safety costs.
  • Review eligibility criteria and brochure in advance of applications opening on Monday, August 17.
  • One-time payment up to $8,500 based on number of employees and other supplemental criteria.
• Local Human Services Agencies Assistance – Assists local non-profit organizations that provide or will provide human services with unanticipated programmatic and operational COVID-19 expenses.
  • Review frequently asked questions and learn more in advance of applications opening on Monday, August 17.
  • One-time grant up to $20,000. 

“Leon CARES provides critical support to those in our community who need it most, from low-income households to small businesses to our important human services agencies,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Bryan Desloge. “I am proud of the County’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the ways we have protected public health and supported our local economy.”

In July, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners approved the Leon CARES program to meet critical community needs related to COVID-19. As mentioned above, the Leon CARES expenditure plan uses up to $51.2 million federal dollars to fund essential public health, human services, and direct assistance programs.

“Leon CARES demonstrates the County’s continued commitment to caring for our community’s lives and livelihoods throughout the coronavirus pandemic,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “Working alongside our many partners, we have created an easy, intuitive process to apply for and receive assistance.”

While applying is easy, beginning on Monday, August 17 at 8 a.m. applicants with questions regarding the Leon CARES application process may call the Leon CARES Call Center at (855) 203-6584 (toll free) between 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Community and Media Relations, at CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov or (850) 606-5300.