Hendry County, FL

What services qualify for individual assistance?

Rent payments, mortgage payments, water utility and electric utility qualify for assistance payments that were incurred between March 1, and December 30, 2020.  Workforce Development Assistance is also available. 

Who is eligible for assistance?

Household income must be between $15,000 and $93,773 per year at time of application, depending on household size. The applicant must have experienced an unexpected loss of income due to impacts of COVID-19 including job loss or reduced work hours. The applicant must also be a Hendry County Resident.

To be eligible for this assistance program applicants must:

• be a resident of Hendry County;
• provide documentation to prove loss of income, reduction in hours, or unemployment as a result of the        COVID-19 pandemic;
• meet gross Area Median Income (AMI) limit not exceeding 120% AMI for the household;
• have a lease and other utilities in their name or a household member’s name;
• not have received any other financial assistance for rent, mortgage and/or utilities for the period                payment is requested;
• have less than $5,000 in liquid assets in checking, savings, and cash card balances;

 Applicants can only receive assistance once, but may apply for multiple services. All assistance must be applied for at same time. Other restrictions may apply.

Assistance will be provided only for past due rents, mortgages, and/or utilities. The due dates must be after March 1, and before December 30.

Applications must be submitted through the Hendry CARES online portal. To apply, visit www.HendryCARES.com.

How does my landlord or mortgage company become a ‘vendor’ to receive payment?

The vendor will be contacted upon application review; applicants are required to provide vendor contact information, including account information. 

How will I receive my assistance?

Payments for assistance will be made directly to the vendor. 

Can part-time residents apply for assistance?

Applicant must be a Hendry County resident.

What determines the amount of assistance I can receive?

The maximum assistance is $5,000 per household. Individuals will be awarded one-time assistance based on their specific documented needs, such as utility bills or overdue rent, that have accumulated due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. You will be required to provide documentation of these needs.

Is funding first-come, first-served for Individual Assistance?

Funding is allocated to those who meet the eligibility criteria and submit completed documents for approval. Financial assistance will be given to qualified applicants until relief funds are exhausted, or at Hendry County's discretion.

What is the purpose of the HendryCARES Business Grant?

The HendryCARES Business Grant offers emergency relief to small businesses facing financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of these funds is to provide temporary financial relief to those impacted by the pandemic and resulting business closures.

Do non-profit organizations qualify for the business program?

Yes. Qualifying businesses and 501(c)(3) organizations with a physical commercial location in Hendry County.

What can I use these funds to pay for?

Funds can be used to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures.  Grant funding can be used for business expenses, such as employees' wages, mortgage, rent, vendor invoices, utility bills, payroll and other costs, as long as these expenses are not paid for by insurance or another federal assistance program.

These grants aim to provide gap funding to allow businesses to seek additional assistance offered through state and federal programs for other losses not covered by this grant. Visit  www.hendrycares.com for resources.

How much funding is available for Hendry County businesses?

Hendry County has set aside emergency relief funds for eligible businesses to each receive a maximum one-time grant of up to $20,000. This $20,000 is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.

This grant amount will be based upon the size of your business. 

<25 employees= $10,000; 26-50 employees=$15,000 and > 50 employees=$20,000.

My business is located in Hendry County, but I am not a resident of Hendry County, am I eligible?

The business owner does not have to  be a resident of Hendry County, FL.

Is funding first-come, first-served for the Business Grant Program?

Complete applications with all required documentation will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.