The OUR Florida program helps pandemic-hurt families pay rent and utilities, but it’s almost out of funding and won’t accept new applications after May 12.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The federally created program that helps Floridians pay rent and utilities will stop accepting applications after Thursday. OUR Florida officials estimate that this week’s deadline will allow them to pay all claims before they run out of money.
A statement from OUR Florida says it will accept applications through May 12, 2022 (10:00 p.m. EST), after helping more than 228,000 families and distributing $1.3 billion in relief to help pay rent and utilities.
“It has been a privilege for our team members to support the Sunshine State with the implementation of OUR Florida,” says Mark Miszcak, COO of Tidal Basin Group, which manages program delivery for OUR Florida. “We’ll continue to work to ensure that available funding goes to eligible applicants and helps them get on the road to recovery.”
“As we prepare to close the OUR Florida portal, I encourage families who may be interested in receiving relief or who have a need to submit their application prior to May 12,” says Secretary Shevaun Harris of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). “There’s still time to get the relief you need.”
OUR Florida says it expects to have all available funds obligated by May 27, 2022. Applications already approved will continue to receive relief.
Families can continue to apply until 10:00pm EST on May 12, 2022. OUR Florida will continue processing applications until all state funds are obligated, which are expected to be expended by May 27, 2022.
Floridians who rent the home, apartment, or other dwelling where they live may be eligible for relief through OUR Florida. To be eligible for benefits, renters must have low income or be unemployed, have experienced a loss of income or financial hardship during the last year, and be behind on rent or utility payments, or at risk of falling behind.
To learn more, visit OURFlorida.com. For additional assistance, applicants can call 1-833-493-0594, seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.
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