Duval County businesses, including sole proprietors and 1099 contract workers, can apply for a free $2,000 COVID-19 relief payment from the city beginning at 9 a.m. June 8.
The city announced in a news release June 5 that the web portal to sign up for the program is active at myjax.custhelp.com.
The Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved the $9 million program May 26. It will provide $2,000 prepaid debit cards to 4,500 qualifying businesses.
To qualify, a business must be located in Duval County, have fewer than 100 employees and show they’ve suffered a 25% or more reduction in revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses can create an online account now by clicking on the Small Business Assistance Program link, but the application process won’t be available until 9 a.m. June 8.
“Over the past few months our small businesses have taken a big hit. These relief dollars will help those businesses as they start re-opening,” District 5 Council member LeAnna Cumber said in a news release. “Our small, local businesses are what make this city great. I’m happy to be able to do my part to help them back on their feet.”
Cumber introduced the legislation that created the program.
Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the release. To qualify, applicants also have to provide the tax ID number assigned to their small business and prove the business began operating for at least one year before Feb. 29.
The program includes sole proprietors and 1099 contract workers.
Cumber’s bill originally targeted small business owners with brick-and-mortar storefronts. She said that in addition to helping business owners, the bill would prevent more vacant commercial property in Jacksonville.
Council supported an amendment offered by Council member Randy DeFoor in the May 19 Finance Committee that added sole proprietors and contract workers who operate out of their homes to eligibility for the money so it could be used to pay their home mortgage, rent and utilities. It isn’t required to spend the $2,000 debit cards on those expenses.
Cumber said the program’s qualifications and the payment distribution are modeled after the city’s $40 million COVID-19 program that offered $1,000 debit cards to individuals.
Like the city’s $1,000 individual stimulus program, the $2,000 payment cards will be provided by Fidelity National Information Services Inc. and mailed directly to the businesses, according to Mayor Lenny Curry administration officials.