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December 2020 COVID-19 Relief

As of December 21st, 2020, Congress has passed the second largest COVID-19 relief bill. This $900 billion bipartisan, bicameral emergency funding package will help us crush the COVID-19 virus and put money in the pockets of struggling families. Read on to see how this new legislation could help you.*
  • Accelerating Free and Equitable Vaccine Distribution: The new legislation provides billions of dollars to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to as many Americans as possible as soon as possible. Vaccinations have already begun for health care workers and long-term care residents. Up-to-date details on Florida’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans can be found at the Florida Department of Health, here.
  • Enhanced Unemployment Insurance Benefits: An additional $300 per week in Unemployment Insurance for 11 more weeks will be available to Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. These funds will be distributed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. To check eligibility and apply for benefits, click here
  •  Direct Payments to Families: A new round of direct payments will be sent as early as next week, worth up to $600 per adult and child, up to $2,400 per family. For earnings above $75,000 per single person or $150,000 per married couple, the payment will be reduced by $5 for every $100 of income earned above those thresholds. Payments will be delivered by the IRS via direct deposit or check, depending on what information you have provided the IRS, and should begin to go out as soon as next week. For up to date information on distribution, visit the IRS’s website here.
  • Strong Support for Small Business: $284 billion added to the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses pay employees and cover expenses, including applying for a second loan for most businesses. Small business owners can visit the SBA’s website, here, to find qualified lenders and further assistance. 
  • Housing Assistance: $25 billion for emergency rental assistance and an extension of the federal eviction moratorium through Jan. 31, 2021. These funds will be distributed through local governments. When funds are available, information on how to apply will be posted on Palm Beach County’s website, here. 
  • Health Support: $22 billion for free COVID-19 testing and contact tracing efforts. Find a list of free COVID testing sites in Palm Beach County here.
  • Education: $58 billion for K-12 schools, $22 billion for higher education, and $3.2 billion in emergency funds for low-income families to access broadband. Click here for more information.
  • Childcare: $10 billion for childcare facilities and families, including $250 million set aside for Head Start. For more information on how to access child care assistance, visit the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, here.
  • Nutrition Assistance for Hungry Families: $26 billion for nutrition assistance including a 15% increase to SNAP benefits and additional funding for food banks and senior nutrition program. Click here for more information on SNAP and here for local food assistance programs. 

*Please note that this is the latest information we have on these relief programs, and more details will be released in the coming weeks. You can check back here for the most up-to-date details on how to access these critical programs, or you can call my office at (561) 998-9045 and someone will assist you.