The city will launch a stimulus program June 20 that gives Duval County senior and disabled residents financially impacted by COVID-19 a $300 prepaid debit card.
The Senior and Disabled Financial Assistance Program will begin taking applications at 8 a.m. June 20, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced in a virtual news conference June 16.
The program, unanimously approved June 9 by City Council, gives a $300 payment to Duval County residents age 72 and older or any nondependents with Social Security Administration-defined disabilities. The cards are limited to one per household.
To qualify, an applicant cannot exceed $30,000 in adjusted gross income in 2019 and must prove a decline in income or an increase in expenses because of COVID-19.
Curry said people who received money through the city’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Loan and Grant Program partnership with VyStar Credit Union or through the city’s individual stimulus program will not be eligible for the senior and disabled resident relief.
The aid will be available for 3,300 qualifying households, according to a June 16 news release.
Ordinance 2020-276, filed by Council member Aaron Bowman, appropriates $1 million from the $159 million the city received in April from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the program.
To apply, Duval County residents can visit myjax.custhelp.com and follow the link for the “Senior and Disabled Financial Assistance Program.” Applicants also can call (904) 255-8888 for assistance.
Applicants will need to provide their birthdate and the last four digits of their Social Security number to the city.
Accounts can be created at the myjax portal, but the application process will not begin until 8 a.m. June 20.
According to a legislative summary attached to the bill, the money can be used for food, supplies, home health care, utilities, transportation and other expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We recognize how difficult COVID-19 has been, especially for our residents on fixed incomes,” Bowman said in a written statement. “It’s an honor to serve on the City Council to be able work closely with my colleagues and Mayor Curry to help our community in this time of need.”
The city will use its partnership with Fidelity National Information Services Inc. to distribute the payments via prepaid debit cards, similar to the city’s individual and small business programs.