Basic Needs
Housing
As a result of COVID-19 many people have lost their job or their income has been decreased; so they are finding it difficult to find, maintain, and afford adequate housing. For information on mortgage payments, read about how Mortgage lenders offer help to borrowers affected by coronavirus. For information on renting and government assistance, read COVID-19 Information and Resources from Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. For immediate shelter assistance in Miami-Dade County, except Miami Beach, refer to the Homeless Helpline at 877-994-4357. In Miami Beach, refer to the City of Miami Beach Homeless Outreach Office at 305-604-4663.
Food
Given food insecurity is a serious concern in Miami-Dade County due to things like school, daycare, and community center closure and income loss among other things. For that matter, Miami-Dade County Public Schools(M-DCPS) will be providing free breakfast for all students and free or reduced-price lunch to more than 73 percent of students. M-DCPS will be implementing a community feeding plan to provide meals for students and families for both breakfast and lunch along the external perimeter of each school. The Department of Agriculture requires that identification(e.g. student ID, report card, progress report) be shown for students that are not present when requesting meals. Visit School Meals Near Me and enter your zip code to find your most convenient location.
Feeding South Florida supports individuals in need of assistance by helping them apply for benefits, access food pantries, and refer out to partnering agency for long-term food assistance. For more information visit FeedingSouthFlorida.org or for immediate food assistance complete the COVID-19 Emergency Services Form and a member of the Feeding South Florida team will contact you.
For food distribution locations and updates in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County refer to the Calendar of Food Distribution, Flipany COVID-19 Updates, and Food Pantries in Miami-Dade County.
Employment
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot people in our community are experiencing layoffs, reduced hours, and furloughs. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) works to support Florida's economy, workforce, and local communities to better prepare them to withstand future economic slowdowns and natural disasters. You can apply for DEO benefits in English, Spanish, and Creole and below you will find A Reemployment Assistance Application Guide video for additional details:
A Reemployment Assistance Application Guide
For this information about Florida's Reemployment Assistance Program visit FloridaJobs.org or read COVID-19 Resources for Employers and Individuals. For additional career resources refer to Career Source Florida and JWorks Miami.
Transportation
In response to COVID-19, transit services and routes have been adjusted. Visit the Miami-Dade County website for Transit Service Updates and Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Travelers. For specific information about the Miami International Airport read the airport's response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
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Tip 1
As per Miami-Dade County's latest emergency order, all transit riders must wear face coverings and those in violation will be denied boarding or removed.
Tip 2
Continue to maintain social distance while commuting to avoid spread and contact with contaminated surfaces and keep safe from people that may be sick. It also means that if you are sick, even with mild symptoms, STAY HOME to protect yourself and those most vulnerable with underlying health conditions.
Tip 3
Adjust your work hours to change your commute time to less busy times, if possible.
Tip 4
Clean yourself as soon as possible after your trip because disinfecting surfaces is not enough or practical at times.
Tip 5
Consider other forms of transportation like walking and biking. If you opt for a rental bike or e-scooter, take the necessary sanitary precautions like washing your hands after use.
Financial Resources
Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
The Temporary Cash Assistance Program (TCA) provides cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18 or 19 that meet the income and asset requirements. Families that live together must apply together. Pregnant women may be eligible in the third trimester if unable to work or 9th month of pregnancy. The program aims to helps families become self-supporting while allowing children to remain in their own homes. For more information visit the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Tax & Stimulus Information
The Federal Economic Impact Payments, also known as stimulus checks, have been authorized by the CARES Act. The IRS advices that you do not call, but if you would like more detailed information about your eligibility, payment status, and more visit the Economic Impact Payment Information Center. The deadlines for filing and paying federal income taxes has been extended to July 15, 2020. For more IRS news visit News Releases for Current Month.
Small Business Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) works to provide loans to small businesses (e.g. partnering lenders, community development organizations, micro-lending institutions) and sets guidelines to reduce lender risk and facilitate access to capital. Due to COVID-19, on March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the CARES Act into law to provide relief for American workers and small by establishing several new temporary programs. For more information read Coronavirus (COVID-19): Relief options and Additional Resources.
Student Financial Aid
On March 27, 2020, the president of the United States signed the CARES Act into law to provide broad relief for federal student loan borrowers, for this information refer to the Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents.
Additional Community Resources and Government Aid
Local (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County)
For additional information on local resources related to food, bills, or other essentials visit 211.org or call 211 for immediate help. For direct support from the Miami-Dade Homeless Helpline call 305-960-4980 and from the Catalyst Miami Hotline call 786-527-2580.
For assistance on Distant Learning to Miami-Dade County Public School families contact the Help Desk at 305-995-HELP. For additional information about the HEART Program in Broward County Public Schools email Carole D. Mitchell at carole.mitchell@browardschools.com. For additional information about the MVP Program in Palm Beach County Public Schools email Beth Lefler at Beth.Lefler@palmbeachschools.org.
Families that may not be eligible for other assistance but are struggling with basic necessities (e.g. food, rent/mortgage), we encourage that you visit The United Way of Miami-Dade County Resource Center or email caring@unitedwaymiami.org for additional information.
For free legal services in Miami-Dade and Monroe County during the pandemic regarding issues like Landlord/Tenant Issues, Reemployment Assistance, Foreclosures, Medicaid, Healthcare Access, COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Payment, Special Education, IRS Tax Disputes, Disaster Assistance, Veterans’ Benefits, Food Stamps and Disability Benefits, please visit Legal Services of Greater Miami or email Miriam Kaskell at mhaskell@legalservicesmiami.org or call/fax/text at 305-438-2431 for additional information.
National (United States)
For additional resources available nationally refer to Financial Help for Those Impacted by COVID-19 and COVID-19 Resources for Parents of Children with Intellectual or Other Developmental Disabilities from The STRYDD Center (Supporting Trauma Recovery for Youth with Developmental Disabilities).
For an overview of the financial resources available in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic, read What's Inside The Senate's $2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid Package.
COVID-19 Calendar of Events
