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ST. LUCIE COUNTY
COVID-19 COMMUNITY RESPONSE FUND RECIPIENTS

Welcome to the online application for St. Lucie CARES. This program will provide a one-time payment to eligible St. Lucie County residents who have suffered an economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is designed to help with payments for the following: rent or mortgage, homeowners association dues, utility bills, homeowners/flood insurance bills, auto loans, and car insurance. Documentation required for the program can be uploaded directly to the online application.

Read the information below, and please apply if you meet the criteria.

Who is eligible for St Lucie CARES?
Any St. Lucie County resident who has suffered an economic hardship (i.e. a reduction or loss of employment income) caused directly by COVID-19, and who earns less than 120% of the area median income (as shown in the table below) is eligible to apply. All household members should be listed on your application.

What can the assistance pay for?
Funding from the program is allowed to be spent on the following household expenses. Payments must have been due after March 1, 2020. Payments due prior to this date are not eligible.

• Rental Payments
• Mortgage Payments (Primary Residence Only)
• HOA Payments (Primary Residence Only)
• Homeowners/Flood Insurance Payments (Primary Residence Only)
• Utility Payments
• Car Payments
• Car Insurance

How much money can I receive from the program?
Applicants are eligible for a onetime payment of up to $4,000. The actual amount of assistance received per household will be determined on a case by case basis.

• What documents do I need to apply for St. Lucie CARES assistance?
• Government Issued Picture ID’s (all adults over 18 years old);
• Child Verification: Birth Certificates or SS card, or shot records or school ID (only for children). Only one form is required;
• Proof of reduction or loss of income due to COVID-19
• Unemployed: unemployment benefits award letter OR a letter from the employer on company letterhead regarding the layoff or furlough. The letter must be dated and include the supervisor’s name, email, and phone number.
• Underemployment: The two consecutive paystubs received prior to the hardship date AND two most recent consecutive pay stubs OR a letter from the employer regarding the reduction of hours. The letter must be dated and include the supervisor’s name, email, and phone number. Applicants who are underemployed must show at least a 10% reduction in employment income.
• If you are self-employed: provide proof of business ownership, your 2019 tax return with all schedules attached and a signed and dated year to date profit and loss statement.
• You will be required to provide documentation of past due payments to support the need for assistance.
• Rent: past due rental notice.
• Mortgage: a copy of your most recent mortgage statement.
• Utilities: past due statements for FPL, FPUA, St. Lucie County utilities, or Port Saint Lucie Utilities,
• Homeowner Association Fees: past due statement.
• Homeowners/Flood Insurance: past due notice or renewal notices.
• Car Payment: past due statement
• Car Insurance: past due statement

What happens next?
After you submit your application you will receive an email confirmation. An intake specialist will contact you within as soon as possible to review any additional documentation that may be needed. Please understand additional information may be requested and required after your application has been reviewed. You will have an opportunity to work with an intake specialist to provide any additional information. We will ask you to provide documentation within 72 hours of speaking with your intake specialist. We appreciate your patience as we help your household recover from COVID-19.

If I’m approved for assistance, how long will it take to receive my payment?
Once you have been notified that you have been approved for the program, payment should be processed within three weeks. In order to provide you with your payment as quickly as possible, you will be required to sign up for direct deposit.
Approved applicants will be required to complete an IRS W9 form for federal income tax purposes. Funding from this program is taxable and must be reported to the IRS. You will receive an IRS 1099 form at the end of the year.
If you need assistance to complete the online application, please contact the CARES Public Information Line at (772) 462-1705 Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, or email comm_info@stlucieco.org.