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Miami emergency assistance: How to apply

Miami emergency assistance: How to apply

The City of Miami is offering emergency assistance to eligible residents and businesses – and the application process is taking place this week.

You must be a City of Miami resident or your business must be within City of Miami boundaries. If you’re not sure, click here to check.

There are three programs available and each has specific rules, eligibility and documentation requirements, so please be sure to follow the appropriate link below and read the instructions carefully. 

If you’re eligible and interested, you’ll want to act fast: The application period started May 4 and is expected to last about five days. For the micro-enterprise program, it may last five days OR until enough applications have been received to deplete the funds available.

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Here’s what’s available:

EMERGENCY RENTAL & UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

  • Who’s eligible: Low-income residents who are unemployed because of the pandemic. “Low income” is defined as having 60 percent Area Median Income (AMI) or less.
  • Designed to: Cover one month of rent and/or utilities.
  • See if you qualify and learn how to apply: Click here.  

SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAM

  • Who’s eligible: For-profit businesses that were deemed “non-essential” and had to close their operations, resulting in lost revenue and jobs. 
  • Designed to: Cover business expenses including (but not limited to) rent, salaries and utilities.
  • See if you qualify and learn how to apply: Click here.  

BUSINESS CONTINUITY MICRO ENTERPRISE PROGRAM

  • Who’s eligible: For-profit micro-enterprises that were deemed “non-essential” and had to close their operations, resulting in lost revenue. 
  • Designed to: Provide grants of up to $10,000 to be used exclusively for the business to remain feasible for three months. Expenses will include rent, salaries of employees, payment of utilities, licenses, insurance and other eligible expenditures pre-approved by the City of Miami. 
  • See if you qualify and learn how to apply: Click here.  

If you don’t have computer access: The city recommends residents apply via computer because it anticipates a high volume of applicants. However, if you don’t have computer access or are disabled, you can call 305-416-2080 during the application period. Be aware: You should expect delays on the phone. 

Good luck to everyone!

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