WLRN staff continues to add to community resource lists, including this articleon where kids and families can get food while schools are closed, and this postabout whether and where to get tested for coronavirus.
The dedicated website for the Florida Department of Health, including information about symptoms and numbers of cases, can be found here.
The dedicated website from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found here.
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QUICK UPDATES
Palm Beach County Allocates Additional $500 For Food Assistance Applications
Updated Tuesday at 12:37 p.m.
Palm Beach County residents who are in need of COVID-19 funding to purchase groceries will now have more money in their pockets.
Palm Beach County commissioners approved on Tuesday the addition of $500 to the county's CARES Act food applications.
Households who have applied or plan to apply for food assistance will now be eligible to receive the additional relief money.
Under the federal CARES Act, Palm Beach County has issued prepaid debit cards to food-insecure residents who have been negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Applicants must provide evidence that their household has been affected by the pandemic. including supporting documents that reflect the household's income. Only one debit card will be issued per household and food assistance is based on household size.
With the additional COVID-19 relief, the following are eligible for these funds:
- 1-2 household members: $900
- 3-4 household members: $1,300
- 5 or more household members: $1,500
The additional money will be reloaded onto the prepaid debit cards of households with a balance greater than $100. If a prepaid debit card has a balance less than $100, those households will be mailed a new card.
For more information, call Palm Beach County's Community Services Department at (561) 355-4792.
—WLRN News
Here Is The Last Chance For Miamians To Get COVID Relief Gift Cards As Deadline Looms
Updated Tuesday At 8:24 a.m
Miamians seeking help with groceries and keeping their businesses open still have an opportunity this week to get federal COVID-19 relief money available through City Hall.
Administrators are rushing to distribute the aid as a Dec. 30 deadline looms. Miami-Dade County, the recipient of $474 million in CARES Act funds this year, faced the deadline for local governments to dole out millions in local relief programs, from grocery gift cards to small business grants. It’s unclear if Congress’ new stimulus package, signed into law late Sunday, will alter the plan for Miami city officials to distribute the city’s allotment of $8.5 million in federal relief money.
As of Monday evening, administrators were rushing to give out gift cards and process grant applications. A separate state-sponsored mortgage assistance program will close Tuesday.
— By Joey Flechas / The Miami Herald
Read more from our news partner at The Miami Herald.
Miami's U-Health Offers Free COVID-19 Testing For Children
Updated Tuesday At 5:21 a.m
Free coronavirus testing for children will be available at two Miami-Dade County Public Schools this week.
The University of Miami's U-Health pediatric mobile unit has partnered with the school district to provide testing for children ages four through 18.
Families can receive testing starting on Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Coral Reef Senior High School in Miami. On Wednesday, Dec. 30, there will be testing at Homestead Senior High School.
Testing hours go from 9 a.m. to noon and then again from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Families can either make an appointment or walk up to receive COVID-19 tests.
For more information, please contact: 305-243-2059
— WLRN News
