Mayor Lenny Curry along with City Council Vice President, Tommy Hazouri, announced Friday that his administration has filed legislation with the Jacksonville City Council to allocate nearly $160 million in Federal CARES Act funds to provide relief to citizens and support the ongoing response to COVID-19.
“My team and I are proud to work with the City Council to provide needed assistance to the people of Jacksonville and support continued COVID-19 response and recover efforts throughout our community,” Mayor Lenny Curry said.
Vice President Hazouri added, “These funds will go a long way toward helping citizens meet their obligations, provide a needed boost to our economy, keep people working, and putting us on a path to recovery.”
The Jacksonville City Council will vote on the proposed legislation Monday, April 27, 2020. Once approved, Duval County residents who meet criteria will be informed how to apply early next week.
The Jacksonville COVID-19 Relief Program will include $40 million in direct stimulus for individuals to help with mortgage, rent and utility payments. This program will provide $1,000 in relief to 40,000 households that meet certain criteria. This includes:
- You must be a Duval County resident
- Provide proof you were employed on February 29, 2020
- Make less than $75,000 per household on the date of application
- Have lost at least 25% of your income because of the COVID-19 crisis.
In addition, $35 million will be allocated toward sustained COVID-19 testing, testing sites and other healthcare infrastructure needs. Testing will be offered throughout Jacksonville so that we can serve every neighborhood. $12.5 million will go to the City’s COVID-19 emergency account for response expenditures not reimbursed by FEMA. Additional usage of the funds is explained in the legislation.
FIS, a Jacksonville based Fortune 500 company, will graciously assist with issuing the $1,000 preloaded pay cards to ensure that recipients get the money as quickly as possible, and without having to absorb added fees.
Mayor Curry said, “I want to thank FIS Chairman, President and CEO, Gary Norcross, and his team for their tremendous level of dedication and support for our community. Their assistance with pulling this program together quickly will help 40,000 households cover payments for essential needs like shelter, water and electricity during this difficult period.”
“As a critical infrastructure provider for merchants, banks and capital markets, and being headquartered in Jacksonville, FIS felt it was imperative to help quickly move these funds into the hands of our neighbors who need it most,” FIS Chairman, President and CEO, Gary Norcross said. “During these unprecedented times, I continue to be amazed by the commitment and effort of our employees and the Jacksonville community, who have all stepped up to help those affected by COVID-19.”
Important information regarding criteria and the application process will be released early next week.
View the legislation