- May 4, 2024
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Flagler County officials reopened the process Oct. 28 for about 1,700 new applications for the federal Cares Act funds allocated by the state to assist individuals negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials urge residents to be patient throughout the multi-step process.
Checks have been issued to all applicants who were approved on or before Sept. 4. Applications approved after that date through Oct. 20, when the process was closed, are in queue for payment.
“We ask those people who already applied to please be patient. At the end of process we will approve 5,000 applications for a total of $5 million,” said Health and Human Services Director Joyce Bishop. “It is a complicated process with several layers of review for checks and balance, and it’s been slow going as we have received many duplicate applications and multiple applications from a single household.”
“We had very high hopes when we started this process that things would move quickly, smoothly,” Bishop explained. “It’s moving slower than what we originally anticipated for two reasons: we have not received the full $5 million from the state that is earmarked for Individual Assistance; and, it is a complicated process with several layers of review for checks and balances. The goal is to have checks cut and sent as soon as we have money available."
Many residents have been under the impression that when they were told they were “eligible” at their face-to-face interview that they were fully approved for the $1,000 grant. Applications – some of which are hundreds of pages – still require two more levels of review to confirm criteria has been met. The entire process may take as long as three months.
Please do not reapply. Residents with problematic applications will be notified by email from [email protected].
“We understand that people are anxious to get their money, but we are asking you to trust the process,” Bishop said. “Submitting repeat applications and requests for status updates slows the process down for everyone.” This is because checking for duplicate submittals – and multiple submissions from the same household – is part of the subsequent review to the face-to-face interview.
New applicants ONLY should apply online at http://www.flaglercounty.org/departments/social_services/CARES_Individual_Assistance.php.
Applicants will be required to provide at the time of their appointment the following: a Florida drivers license or a state-issued photo identification, and ALL of the bills being claimed – not just the last bill with the total amount due. Paper copies of the bills are required.
“If you are submitting your lease as proof of your rent, please be sure that the lease is current, the address is correct, and that it is signed by all parties,” Bishop said. “If you are missing documents, or have incomplete documents, you will have to reschedule your appointment. There is a limited amount of funding available so it is important that you bring everything with you.”
Interview appointments continue to be held at 1000 Belle Terre Blvd. (not Parkway), Palm Coast, which is just south of the Tractor Supply Company store. Follow the signs to the entrance of the brick David I. Siegel Adult Day Care building.
