County Frees Up Funds For Those In Need During Coronavirus Crisis

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — As newly unemployed Hillsborough County residents await compensation benefits and federal stimulus funding, Hillsborough County’s Social Services department is receiving more than twice as many requests for services.

Hillsborough County typically invests about $8 million annually in direct client services including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program, Community Services Block Grant and Rental/Mortgage Assistance programs.

To meet the increased demand for these programs during the coronavirus pandemic, the Hillsborough County Commission has agreed to an immediate $15 million in rapid-response funding through the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES).

The additional funding will provide services to individuals and families who are not currently served by the Social Services programs. It also will provide more homeless assistance and homelessness prevention programs.

Social Services will use local nonprofit organizations as well as Library Services employees to help handle new cases, enabling Social Services to more than double its normal caseload of about 1,000 a week.

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Approximately $4 million of the $15 million in rapid-response funds will go to Metropolitan Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless families find safety and stability. This will allow Metropolitan Ministries to expand the county’s capacity to serve the homeless. Metropolitan Ministries will be ready to begin providing services by May 1.

Social Services is also collaborating with utility providers to forego disconnecting services for nonpayment during the crisis. Delinquent accounts will be immediately referred to Social Services for assistance.

Additionally, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has suspended serving residents with eviction.

With the suspension of evictions and utility disconnections, Social Services has been able to put a long-term plan in place to help families before providers resume disconnections and landlords resume eviction filings.

To help residents get the help they need, Social Services is offering virtual eligibility appointments by phone, using a less stringent criterion including waiving applicant signatures on grant forms.

Families and individuals looking for assistance can visit Hillsborough County’s Getting Help page.