Pinellas commissioners approve Covid-19 financial aid plans
April 28, 2020 - Pinellas County commissioners have approved two separate programs to provide financial help to individuals and families and to small businesses that have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. The programs are funded through money Pinellas County is receiving from the federal CARES Act. The county will provide one-time financial assistance to help stabilize individuals and families that have been impacted by loss of income. Eligible residents will be able to receive assistance of up to $4,000 to help bridge financial gaps for overdue rent, mortgage payments and utilities. To be eligible, they must have income at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines and less than $4,000 in liquid assets in checking and savings accounts. For businesses, the county will provide a one-time, $5,000 grant. Eligible businesses have to have at least one but no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees, and are food service establishments, bars and nightclubs, short-term lodging establishments and vacation rental management companies, non-essential businesses that were ordered closed, and places of public and private assembly. Non-profits, home-based businesses and publicly traded companies are not eligible.