COVID-19 Grant Application Deadlines Approaching

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Deadlines for applying to Volusia County for COVID-19 financial assistance is rapidly approaching.

Federal authorization is expiring soon, causing the county to urge small businesses and individuals who feel they qualify for Volusia CARES grants to submit applications soon.

The deadline to apply is December 11 for small business, home-based business, and nonprofit organization grants, while the deadline to apply for rental and mortgage assistance is December 30.

The County Council has allocated more than $60 million of the money for various community relief efforts and grant programs for residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations impacted by the pandemic, since receiving Coronavirus Relief Funds back in April. Under federal guidelines, the coronavirus relief funds cover approved expenses through December 30.

County Council agreed Tuesday that continuing to take grant applications from businesses and nonprofits through December 11, will give staff time to process any requests.

While the county already has provided $8.8 million in grants to small businesses and home-based businesses, the number of applications has significantly declined.

“We will make a concerted effort to get the word out into the community that the program will be coming to a close in December,” Deputy County Manager Suzanne Konchan told council members Tuesday.

The council also had allocated $22.5 million for rent and mortgage assistance to residents struggling to make housing payments due to a loss or reduction in income caused by the pandemic. 

For approved applicants, the money is disbursed to landlords or mortgage holders. On Tuesday, council members were shown that with $17.3 million in rent and mortgage assistance already paid out and another $4.4 million approved or in the pipeline, the fund only had about $900,000 left. And new applications still are coming in at a rate of about 53 per day. 

On Tuesday, the council allocated another $5 million into the program, bringing the total to $27.5 million, and agreed to continue accepting applications until the very last day, December 30.

Information about the county’s COVID-19 grant programs can be found here:

Rental Assistance: 

https://www.volusia.org/

Mortgage Assistance: 

https://www.volusia.org/

Small Business/Home-Based Business: 

https://www.volusiabusinessresources.com/#homeSection348662

Grants for nonprofit organizations: 

https://www.unitedwayvfc.org/