OUR Florida Accepting Applications Through May 12, 2022; More Than 228,000 Families Served and $1.3 Billion in Relief Distributed

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — OUR Florida will soon obligate and distribute all funding received by the state and as such will no longer accept applications for the program. Through OUR Florida, more than 228,000 families have received relief on past due rent and utilities. In one year since the program was launched, OUR Florida distributed more than $1.3 billion to support Floridians. Florida residents can continue to apply until May 12, 2022.

“It has been a privilege for our team members to support the Sunshine State with the implementation of OUR Florida,” said Mark Miszcak, COO of Tidal Basin Group, which manages program delivery for OUR Florida. “We’ll continue to work to ensure that available funding goes to eligible applicants and helps them get on the road to recovery.”

“This program has been incredibly meaningful for nearly 230,000 families across the state of Florida,” said Secretary Shevaun Harris of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). “As we prepare to close the OUR Florida portal, I encourage families who may be interested in receiving relief or who have a need to submit their application prior to May 12. There’s still time to get the relief you need. Additionally, the Florida Department of Children and Families offers a variety of other programs and services to help families build resilient, stable homes.”

By May 27, 2022, OUR Florida expects to have all available funds obligated to families who have applied for and been approved to receive relief. OUR Florida provides Opportunities for Utilities and Rental assistance to Florida families and businesses. Families who receive rent and utilities payments through OUR Florida can focus on getting back on track. Property owners who receive relief on behalf of their tenants are able to recover their losses.

Applications that were already approved for prospective payments will continue to receive the relief previously approved.

Families can continue to apply until 10:00pm EST on May 12, 2022. OUR Florida will continue processing applications until all state funds are obligated which are expected to be expended by May 27, 2022. Floridians who rent the home, apartment, or other dwelling where they live may be eligible for relief through OUR Florida. To be eligible for benefits, renters must have low income or be unemployed, have experienced a loss of income or financial hardship during the last year, and be behind on rent or utility payments, or at risk of falling behind.

To learn more, visit OURFlorida.com. For additional assistance, applicants can call 1-833-493-0594, seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.

DCF is committed to help Florida families recover and achieve economic self-sufficiency. There are many other programs and services available throughout Florida to support families through challenges:

• 2-1-1. Simply dial 2-1-1 from any phone to seek local referral assistance.
• Florida’s Center for Child Welfare provides local referrals for education, the court system, employment, health, housing and law enforcement, etc. 
• HOPE Florida unites communities through ‘Care Navigators’ to guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency and hope. Go to: https://www.myflfamilies.com/APathwaytoProsperity/
• Community Action Agency: Community Action Agencies represent nearly every area of Florida and provide immediate financial assistance to those in crisis and assist those in poverty to become independent. To find your local Community Action Agency, Go to: https://faca.org/help_search/
• Homelessness Prevention: Continuums of Care (CoC) are organizations that assist in outreach, intake and assessment to link housing and services to those who are homeless, provide emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent housing to end episodes of homelessness. To find your local CoC, visit https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/homelessness/local-providers.shtml