Duval County residents who have lost all or part of their salary or wages because of the COVID-19 shutdown will be able to apply for a $1,000 prepaid debit card from the city beginning at 10 a.m. May 1.
At his news conference April 30, Mayor Lenny Curry said applications for the aid will be accepted at jaxrelief.coj.net or by telephone at 630-CITY. For information about the plan, go to coj.net/reliefprogram.
On April 27, City Council approved issuing 40,000 cards to Duval County residents who were employed on Feb. 29, have household income less than $75,000 and have lost at least 25% of their income because of the business shutdown caused by the coronavirus. Only one card is allowed per household.
The money is intended to be used for mortgage or rent payments and utilities, Curry said.
The cards will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applicants who meet the criteria will be given an appointment, as soon as May 1, at the Edward Ball Building at 214 N. Hogan St. or the Jacksonville Main Library at 303 N. Laura St. City employees who will verify their information and then issue the card.
Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Stephanie Burch said the locations were selected to allow city employees to as quickly as possible verify that applicants meet the requirements.
“We want the person walking out the door with the funds in their hands,” she said.
Curry said the city anticipates a high volume of online applications and long wait times for people applying on the telephone.
“We ask all of you to be patient,” he said.