With a shift in our economic needs, YWCA has responded accordingly to help our clients get the information needed through the most available medium. We are calling all of our clients on a regular basis to engage them, provide a social connection to reduce emotional economic decisions, and determine their financial needs to help connect them with resources in the community.

Our Economic Empowerment Coordinator is available Monday through Friday from 9am – 4pm via phone and email at hbush@ywca-miami.org.

YWCA Programs

YWCA offers weekly online workshops focused on crisis financial management every Thursday at 12pm. The workshop can be accessed here.

All-State Foundation – Domestic Abuse Financial Wellness Resources (English & Spanish)

Bacardi #RaiseYourSpirits Campaign

Facebook Small Business Grants Program

GoFundMe Small Business Relief Fund

Kiva Lending

Plastiq Financing

Shopify Small Business Financing

Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund

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IRS Tax Relief Updates

Remote Jobs – Link 1 | Link 2

Job Placement – If you’ve been laid off from your job, let us help. Miami Community Ventures is a job placement and success coaching program for low-income individuals. Submit your resume today.

Been Laid Off? If you were working in Florida, you can apply here for Unemployment Assistance if you have been:

• quarantined by a government official
• laid off without pay because of COVID-19
• caring for an immediate family member with COVID-19

Smile Trust Mutual Aid Assistance – The South Florida Mutual Aid Assistance program is powered by The Smile Trust inc. which Is an International Nonprofit Organization that Fights against homelessness, rapidly responds to Natural and Man-Made Disasters to the community through our grassroots Disaster Relief Program (CEOC) and works toward fixing Food insecurities in under-resourced communities. In the face of COVID-19 we understand that things have become hard for everyone and we are trying to offer some help to those in need.

To apply please fill out this form in its entirety and you should hear back from us within 24 hours. If you have any questions please feel free to send us an email at MTHSMia@gmail.com

Assistance for Small Businesses

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

The Greater Miami-Chamber of Commerce is working to bring you information and resources to help you and your business through the COVID-19 crisis. This page will be updated with new and relevant resources as they become available. Click here to access a pdf of our business resource guide.

Microsoft in collaboration with Citi has launched Axis South Florida – an online platform that provides simple, easy-to-understand information to help South Florida residents, small businesses and nonprofits secure the economic support they need to withstand the COVID-19 crisis and emerge stable. Axis South Florida is a collective of leading Miami-Dade and Broward community-based organizations, the groups who every day are on the frontlines of working with and providing services for our most vulnerable neighbors.

Financial Assistance For Artists – Artists looking for financial assistance can receive up to $500 in funds to make up for income they’ve lost due to COVID-19. Applications are open through April 16.

Financial Assistance For Restaurant Owners – The South Beach Wine and Food Festival and FIU’s School of Hospitality created a relief fund to assist independently owned and operated restaurants that have suffered losses or had to lay off employees because of COVID-19 closures and restrictions.

Two-Week Property Tax Delay – The State of Florida is delaying Florida property tax payments by two weeks. The due date is now April 15th. Taxpayers adversely affected by COVID-19 are encouraged to send questions to COVID19TAXHELP@floridarevenue.com. Property taxpayers should contact their county property appraisers and tax collectors for more information

90-Day Tax Day Extension – Individuals and businesses will have an extra 90 days to pay the IRS if they owe additional income tax for 2019. However, you should still file your income taxes before the deadline of April 15.

FROM DEPT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY – In response to COVID-19, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has issued an Emergency Order extending all Florida driver licenses, commercial driver licenses and identification cards that will expire in the next 30 days. All Florida driver licenses, commercial driving licenses and identification cards set to expire in the next 30 days will be granted a 30-day extension beyond their current expiration date.

The Executive Order authorizes the following:

• Extends the effective period of all driver licenses and identification cards that will expire between March 16, 2020, and April 15, 2020, for 30 days.
• Waives the delinquent renewal fees during the extension period for these driver licenses and identification cards.
• In addition, FLHSMV is encouraging Floridians who are able to complete their driver license or motor vehicle transactions online to do so, rather than in person at a driver license office. Floridians can use GoRenew.com to driver license transactions, motor vehicle registration and more. For more information on services impacted in your county by COVID-19, please visit our office closures page.

REPORT PRICE GOUGING

• Miami-Dade State Attorney Price Gouging Hotline: 305-547-3300
• State Attorney General Price Gouging Hotline: 1-866-966-7226

FROM FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT

• We’re here to help: If you’re experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19, FPL and federal, state and local authorities have resources available to help you. A good place to learn more is www.FPL.com/Help.
• As with any quickly evolving situation, stay safe, stay informed, stay vigilant and be prepared. Please make sure you’re following the advice given by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for stopping the spread of germs and viruses. There is a tremendous amount of misinformation being spread, particularly on the internet and through some social media channels, so please use trusted sources of information such as the CDC, World Health Organization or national news organizations to learn the latest information.

FROM MIAMI-DADE WATER & SEWER

• Water service disconnections due to nonpayment are suspended for 30 days effective Thursday, March 12. Read the news release · Miami-Dade water continues to be safe to drink. It is not necessary to boil water. Read more about our safe water · WASD urges customers to conduct department-related business online at miamidade.gov/water or by phone at 305-665-7477 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Either way, you will be able to register an account, view billing details, and making payments
• It is the priority of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department to provide safe, reliable service to its customers. For additional information about Department services and programs, visit the WASD website.

FROM COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES DEPT

• The Animal Services Department (ASD) is providing mission-essential and critical services only on a modified schedule. Hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the facility and social distancing protocols are being implemented.
• Animal Welfare Officers continue to respond to high priority/emergency calls such as: injured or suffering animals, cruelty and requests from police officers for assistance with animals. Road-side deceased animal pick-up services also continue.
• Emergency fosters who can temporarily provide in-home care for shelter pets are needed. The most urgent housing needs are for medium and large dogs and pets with special needs. ASD will provide veterinary care, supplies and food for fostered pets. Interested fosters can email ASDFOSTER@miamidade.gov.
• There is no evidence that dogs or cats can be infected or spread the virus that causes COVID-19. Always avoid handling pets if you are sick and avoid touching animals you don’t know.

FROM MIAMI-DADE DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

• Good News: The Transit Fare for Metro bus and Metrorail has been suspended, so everyone rides free for now and the parking is free too at the Metrorail stations.
• If you ride on the buses, you will have to enter through the back door. · Please go to www.miamidade.gov to stay updated on the latest information with Transit.
• The department continues to urge the community to use public transit for essential trips only and for riders to practice social distancing while using transit.

FROM MIAMI-DADE POLICE

Until further notice, the following in-person services are temporarily suspended:

• Fingerprinting service
• Background/Clearance Letters
• Copies of police reports

Police District Station lobbies remain open to assist you and will continue the following functions/services:

• Criminal registrants
• Police reports (that do not conform to online or telephone reporting requirements)

The Miami-Dade Police Department has temporarily suspended all eviction activities until further notice.

FROM BAPTIST HEALTH – Care On Demand is Baptist Health South Florida’s premier virtual health platform. Enroll for free and start your visit in minutes using any smartphone, tablet or computer. Use code CARE19 for a free online urgent care visit, 24/7.

FROM FLORIDA BLUE – Florida Blue launched a 24-hour, free emotional support helpline for all Floridians, in partnership with New Directions Behavioral Health. Any Floridian – even in uninsured or insured by another plan – can call 833-848-1762 for support in managing feelings of stress, anxiety, grief or fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AT&T – As of 3/13/20, for the next 60 days, we pledge to waive any domestic wireless plan usage fees associated with data, voice or text overages that any wireless customers may incur because of economic hardship related to #COVID19. 

Verizon Wireless Customers – Verizon is waiving late fees for residential and small business customers. They are also offering free international calling to CDC level 3 countries. Also, if you need more bandwidth because you’re working from home or your child is doing distance learning, Verizon will also waive activation fees on new lines of service and upgrade fees starting March 18.

T-Mobile – currently giving all current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers unlimited data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming), an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot/tethering service, and free international calling to any country listed as a Level 3 during the pandemic.

POLLO TROPICAL – Doctors, nurses, first responders, healthcare, USPS, UPS & FedEx workers get 50% off their orders. Offer valid for first responders in uniform or with valid work ID. Healthcare, USPS, UPS & FedEx workers must show valid work ID. Only valid at participating company-owned locations. Pollo Tropical is offering free delivery through April 30, 2020 on orders made through the Pollo Tropical mobile app and on pollotropical.com.

UBER EATS – Uber Eats has made delivery free for customers on orders to independent restaurants across South Florida. In the past two weeks, Uber has given more than 100,000 meals to front-line health care workers and first-responders throughout the Country. For more info, hospital administrators and organizations should reach out to us at social-impact-support@uber.com

JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES – As of Wednesday, Jewish Community Services JCS Kosher Food Bank in North Miami Beach remains open. The food bank, which helps provide kosher meals, is by appointment only to keep the privacy of its visitors. Those who are interested should call 305-576-6550 to apply.

The CareerSource South Florida (CSSF) is launching Operation Impact. The main goal of this initiative is to provide career services assistance, virtual training opportunities, and support services for individuals who are unemployed or have experience a financial set back due to the economic effects of COVID-19.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) eligible participants may receive funding to pay for the following available services:

·         Virtual career and job search assistance.

·         Virtual training opportunities is up to $10,000.

·         Supportive service payments is up to $1,000 for transportation, childcare, housing assistance, and utilities.

To request assistance, complete the Operation Impact Questionnaire by clicking on the link below: 

https://iapps.careersourcesfl.com/operationimpact