COVID-19 Resources

Mortgage Payment Forbearance For Affected Homeowners: Learn more.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program – Short-term, interest-free working capital loans which are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major disaster hits and when a business has secured longer-term recovery resources. The program provides a short-term loan of State of Florida public funding. It is not a grant and must be repaid. https://floridadisasterloan.org/

SBA Disaster Assistance – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters. Businesses can apply for loans online through a 3-step loan process. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans – Substantial economic injury means the business is unable to meet its obligations and to pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses. EIDLs provide the necessary working capital to help small businesses survive until normal operations resume after a disaster. The SBA can provide up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Your loan amount will be based on your actual economic injury and your company’s financial needs, regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/EIDLLoans

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program – The United States Bartenders Guild’s National Charity Foundation has launched a program for bartenders in need of assistance during the coronavirus outbreak. The Bartender Emergency Assistance Program is meant to aid service industry personnel experiencing financial difficulties as a direct result of the outbreak. Eligible applicants can receive a grant, in undisclosed sums, to help pay their bills. https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap

Restaurant Employee Relief Fund — Created to help restaurant industry employees experiencing hardship in the wake of the coronavirus disease outbreak. Grants from the Fund will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis to those individuals that meet the eligibility criteria, as reviewed and verified by the NRAEF. A one-time grant of $500 will be disbursed directly to each applicant. 

211 – If you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other services, use the search bar to find your local 211 or dial 211 to speak to someone who can help. http://www.211.org/services/covid19

United Way COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund – To support this rapidly escalating need, United Way Worldwide has created the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. Our Fund supports communities struggling in the wake of the new virus, by supporting local United Ways and 211, the go-to information resource in times of crisis. Every year, 211 specialists answer 12 million requests by phone, text, chat and email to connect people with disaster, food, housing, utility, health care resources and more. There is no other network in the country with a similar pulse on America’s needs. https://www.unitedway.org/recovery/covid19

Coronavirus Bill Lets Struggling Americans Tap Retirement Money: Learn more.

Federal Relief Package — The historic, $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package has been passed by Congress and signed into law. Here is a comprehensive guide to all benefits found in this legislation.

FEMA Extends Flood Insurance Renewal Period — The agency has extended the grace period to renew flood insurance policies from 30 to 120 days.

Property Tax Deadline Extended — The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) issued an emergency order to extend the final due date for property tax payments for the 2019 tax year. DOR has extended the due date from March 31, 2020, to April 15, 2020. More information can be found on DOR’s media website.

Suspension of vacation rentals — In an effort to discourage visitors to the state who may be carrying the coronavirus, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday a two-week suspension of new vacation rentals (30 days or 1 calendar month, whichever is less). The order does not apply to current occupants of vacation rentals. The Executive Order can be found here.

Seniors First— Seniors First, Inc. is the largest social services organization in the region, providing direct service and programs to our community’s vulnerable elderly population. Programs that help older Americans live independently in their own homes have not kept pace with the needs of seniors.

Food Locator— Residents in need of food assistance can visit Second Harvest Food Bank’s online food locator to find a list of feeding partners near their residence. Additionally, residents looking to contribute to the area’s COVID-19 recovery can volunteer.

OCPS Grab & Go Meals— Orange County Public School Grab-and-Go meals are available for pick-up between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the car loop of each school site. Students must be present to receive the meals, except ESE students. District staff will distribute the meals directly to those in their vehicles.

Support Area Restaurants— Visit Orlando has launched its “Orlando To Go” webpage to help support our destination’s growing list of restaurants that are currently offering take-out and delivery menu options.

Primary Care Access Network— Primary Care Access Network (PCAN) is a collaboration among Orange County Government, primary health care centers, community agencies, hospitals and other social services to serve underinsured and uninsured populations. If your insurance has been affected by COVID-19, Covering Central Florida Navigators will explain your options regarding Marketplace, Medicaid, KidCare and COBRA and help you enroll in the option that is best for you and your family.

Mental Health Assistance— Aspire Health Partners is offering a dedicated telephone line to assist residents with mental health concerns related to COVID-19. Residents can call the helpline to be connected with a caring mental health professional by calling 407-875-3700 X2.

United States Department of Labor – https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus

Florida Department of Labor/Jobs- http://www.floridajobs.org/

FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS HERE – https://connect.myflorida.com/Claimant/Core/Login.ASPX

Florida Department of Health- http://www.floridahealth.gov/ and https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

Orange County Government COVID-19 Update Page – https://newsroom.ocfl.net/media-advisories/press-releases/2020/03/coronavirus-updates/

City of Orlando COVID-19 Update Page – https://www.orlando.gov/COVID-19

Seminole County Government COVID-19 Update Page – https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/county-managers-office/prepare-seminole/emergencyevent.stml

Osceola County Government COVID-19 Update Page – https://www.osceola.org/covid19/index.stml

Lake County Government COVID-19 Update Page – https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/COVID-19/

The following information has been shared by state and federal organizations as a means to inform the public and help prevent any potential spread of the virus.

COVID-19 information

• Visit the Florida Department of Health’s website, like them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter for the latest information about the virus.
• You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for more information about the virus.
• The Florida League of Cities offers a comprehensive list of  COVID-19 resources.  
• County-by-county list of local COVID-19 orders and policies.
• Summarized information for county COVID-19 actions can be found on this dashboard.
• NAR continues to update this document regarding state actions related to real estate services/transactions being considered as essential services.
• NAR has also compiled all state association letters requesting real estate services/transactions be considered as essential services.

Travel

• Here is specific information from the CDC regarding travel.

Virus prevention

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. As a reminder, the Department of Health always recommends everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
• Staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health;
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Covering your cough or sneezing with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue;
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing;
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if hands are visibility dirty;
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

With the situation evolving rapidly, we encourage members to monitor and follow any guidance offered by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concerning the virus.