Collier County COVID-19 financial relief program opens March 29

New Community Assistance Program will help residents and small business owners impacted by COVID-19. Aid is available for some past due bills and more.

Collier County residents and business owners impacted by COVID-19 may receive financial aid to pay for past due bills and more. The County will open its new Collier Community Assistance Program (CCAP) on March 29, at noon. Online applications will be available beginning at that time. Payment assistance is available for households behind on mortgage, rent and utility bills. Small business owners, nonprofits and agricultural operations behind on utility payments and/or need to repay the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) may also qualify for aid.

The financial relief program will be open on an ongoing basis this year or until funds are depleted, whichever one occurs first. Past due bills must have accumulated as the result of COVID-19 and must be documented. Income and other eligibility requirements may apply. Assistance is available on a first-come, first qualified basis. Food banks and pantries may also apply for assistance by reaching out to the Community Foundation of Collier County.

Aid is available for households with past due bills going back (arrearage) to March 13, 2020. Applicants must have been current on their rent or mortgage on March 13, 2020. Arrearage is available up to a maximum of $10,000 for rent, mortgage and utility relief for those in CCAP. However, applicants will also be screened for benefits through the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program, which does not have a cap on funds and only assists with arrearage and future rent payments. Applicants should be aware that if they qualify for ERA, they will have to re-qualify every three months to continue to receive payment assistance.

Visit CollierFLAssistance.com for more information, or potential applicants are invited to go through the application process to confirm eligibility.

Small businesses, nonprofits and agricultural operations must qualify by being in Collier County, with a business tax license, hold a Sunbiz registration, and employ 100 or less full-time equivalent (FTE) staff. Applicants should select small business during the application process.

Business owners that own more than one business, with each business having its own employer identification number (EIN) and meets all other eligibility requirements, may apply for assistance for each business. An application must be submitted for each business. For past due water and electric bill assistance, the utility account must be in the name of each business. Each qualified applicant may receive a one-time grant of up to $25,000 toward EIDL repayment and utility assistance. Since this is a grant and not a loan, it does not need to be paid back.

More specific information is available at CollierFLAssistance.com. Interested persons will also be able to sign up for email alerts. Applications are available online or at any Collier County library where an applicant can use the computer, scanner, printer/copier equipment that is assigned for public use at no charge to submit an online application. For personal assistance after submitting an application, the County will open an office on March 29, located at 13245 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102, in Naples. Appointments are required. Please call (239) 450- 2114 to set up an appointment or email CCAPinfo@colliercountyfl.gov to set up an appointment or more information. Remember to wear a mask to your appointment. For general information about the program, please dial 311 within Collier County.