COVID-19 Assistance Programs and Resources

Daytona Beach

• Daytona Beach CARE program expands, offers rental assistance (posted May 8, 2020)
• Daytona Beach CARE (COVID-19 Assistance Recovery Effort) Program  (posted March 24, 2020)

Volusia County

• Rent Assistance

  Volusia County is accepting applications from households that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Rental assistance may be provided to eligible households for up to three months. Assistance will be provided on a first-ready, first-served basis and a limited number of applications will be accepted based on funding availability. Learn more.

• Mortgage assistance

  Volusia County is accepting applications from households that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Mortgage assistance may be provided to eligible households for up to three months. This includes assistance for eligible households for payment of arrears, current and future payments. Assistance will be provided on a first-ready, first-served basis and a limited number of applications will be accepted based on funding availability. Learn more.

• Utility Assistance

  • Duke Energy
    
    As Duke Energy resumes our standard billing and payment practices, we remain committed to helping our customers experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since you may hear from residents and business owners regarding the need for potential assistance on their Duke Energy bills, I am providing you with information about the assistance we are offering customers.
    
    We realize the financial impact of the pandemic is far from over. That’s why we’re taking a gradual approach, giving those customers who need extra time an opportunity to reach out for assistance. Our resumption of standard billing and credit practices will occur in mid-August. Disconnections for nonpayment and late payments fees will remain suspended until September 1. Credit and debit card fees and walk-in payment fees will be waived through the end of October. Customers still facing financial challenges can request an extended payment arrangement quickly and easily:
    
    Residential customers
    
    Business customers
    
    And customers with more complex issues who need to speak with us can call a customer care representative Monday through Friday from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. at 800-700-8744 for residential customers and 877-372-8477 for business customers.
    
    Learn more.
     

  • FPL

    FPL remains committed to helping our customers who are experiencing hardship due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
    
    As we have since mid-March, we’re continuing to suspend disconnections for nonpayment while helping connect customers with financial assistance. And, where there is hardship, we’re continuing to waive late fees and offer customers additional payment extensions to help them manage past-due FPL balances.
    
    We urge customers struggling to pay their bill to take action now and call us directly, toll-free, at 800-226-3545, to discuss their situation, as they remain responsible for their outstanding FPL balance.
    
    While we never want to turn the lights off for nonpayment – especially during these difficult times – we remain mindful that unpaid electric bills are ultimately paid for by all FPL customers. We will continue to assess our COVID-19 policies to ensure we’re supporting customers experiencing hardship while also balancing the needs of all of our more than 5 million customers. 
    
    Learn more. 

Volusia County/food bank partnership

Volusia County Emergency Management has partnered with area food banks to provide more than 126,000 meals to local families in need.

The supplies, donated by the State of Florida, are packaged to provide five meals in each box. Please contact the partner agencies below for food distribution locations throughout the county:

• Halifax Urban Ministries: call 386-317-5886
• The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia: call 386-734-8120 or email info@nhcwv.org
• United Way of Volusia - Flagler Counties: call 386-253-0563, or dial 2-1-1, or visit https://211live.org/

Food Brings Hope

• COVID-19 crisis update
• www.foodbringshope.org

Second Harvest Food Bank

• Second Harvest Food Bank works with 550 local feeding partners to provide food to Central Florida neighbors in need. If you're looking for assistance, visit www.feedhopenow.org/need_food for a food pantry near you.

Volusia County Students

• Volusia County School meals - Beginning Monday, April 13, School Way Café will hand out multiple days’ worth of meals at food distribution sites at both schools and bus drop-off locations. This will limit the number of trips for students and families and limit exposure, while still providing the same number of meals for students per week. For more information visit https://www.vcsedu.org/urgent-information/food-distribution-school-sites.
• Volusia County’s Human Services Office is sponsoring a summer food service program from May 18 through Aug. 14 to provide free breakfast and lunch for children ages 18 and under. A total of 54 sites have been established for the program, which provides nutritionally balanced meals during summer break when schools are closed. It’s funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity- Have you been impacted by efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the state of Florida? File your Reemployment Assistance Claim through CONNECT, Florida’s online Reemployment Assistance System. For assistance completing your application, watch the application guide video. Those seeking asisstance should all review Frequently Asked Questions regarding reemployment assistance related to COVID-19.

• Reemployment Assistance Resource Guide from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
   

• CareerSource Flagler Volusia- Visit the website for job training resources, as well as job search resources.

• www.unitedwayvfc.org
• 211live.org - Current resources, CDC information, and direct links to the Florida Department of Health.
• COVID-19 Virus Relief Fund – Due to requests from partners related to supporting critical needs both immediately and long-term the United Way will open a Virus Relief Fund.
• Taxes can still be completed online for FREE at www.myfreetaxes.com. 
• Facebook and Twitter