Here to serve in troubled times
Dear Friends of District 8,

Some good news in the midst of the coronavirus crisis: A growing number of resources are available at the County, state and federal level to support small businesses and individuals impacted by financial hardship. But navigating these systems, including the programs created by the recent federal CARES Act stimulus package, can feel like a full-time job.

In this week's update we are breaking down some of the resources currently available for you.

Also, next week the Board of County Commissioners will host our first meeting since the state of emergency was declared as a fully virtual meeting. More details are below on how the public can participate remotely.

As always, if you have ideas or questions for our office, please send an email to district8@miamidade.gov . 

Yours in community,

Daniella
How to Get Relief Through the CARES Act
FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE

To help alleviate the impact of coronavirus, Congress passed the CARES Stimulus Package on March 27. The legislation provides economic assistance to small businesses, including a paycheck protection program, expanded U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, and more.

The Beacon Council has compiled a great list of available resources under the CARES Act and is working to launch a new portal at Bizhelp.Miami in partnership with Miami-Dade County. If you are an impacted small business owner (including those who are self-employed, sole proprietors or freelance workers) we encourage you to look into the Paycheck Protection Program which will provides small businesses with low interest loans up to a maximum of $10 million.

The stimulus package also provides for direct relief checks to Americans. People with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 or less based on their 2018 or 2019 tax returns will receive up to $1,200 and couples will receive up to $2,400 plus $500 per child. Social Security recipients will not have to file a tax return in order to receive the economic stimulus payments.
An Update on Unemployment Benefits
ACCESSING UNEMPLOYMENT

Those who need to apply for unemployment should do so via the state of Florida's website: http://floridajobs.org.

Unfortunately, the unemployment system has been overwhelmed over the past two weeks with new applicants. Along with other elected leaders I continue to call for the state of Florida to urgently improve the website and streamline the process, and today I sent a memo to Mayor Gimenez asking that the County activate additional resources to help residents navigate the system.

I also signed onto this letter asking that benefits be retroactive to the date of unemployment due to these system failures.

The state has committed to increasing resources to better manage applications. We urge you to continue to apply if you haven't been able to get through yet, and we'll share any other resources as they become available.

OUR COMMUNITY CARES

For additional information you can watch the video of our most recent Our Community Cares conversation with the team from Legal Services of Greater Miami, highlighting updates on unemployment assistance, how to apply for public benefits, and more.
How to Participate Virtually in the Next BCC Meeting
Next Tuesday, April 7, the Board of County Commissioners is holding our first meeting since a local state of emergency was declared due to COVID-19. The agenda for the meeting covers several important topics related to the County’s response to coronavirus.

The meeting will be held virtually and there are multiple ways for the public to participate:

HOW TO VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE


HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  • By phone in advance: Call (305) 679-0007 by 5 pm on Monday, April 6, and leave a voice message which will be played during the Commission meeting.
  • By phone live during the meeting: Call in live to the Commission meeting at (305) 375-5777 on Tuesday.
  • By email: Send an e-mail to bcclive@miamidade.gov by 5 pm on Monday, April 6; your message will be read into the record.
  • Via webinar: Register online here and log on live during the meeting.
  • Don't forget: Please note that only the first two minutes of each message or email will be played or read into the record. Please include your name, address and the number of the Commission agenda item(s) you wish to address in your voice or email message.
Key Information on COVID-19
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL SICK

If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, call the local Florida Department of Health at 305-324-2400 or call your medical provider directly. If traveling to a medical office or facility, call ahead.

COVID-19 TESTING

The following testing sites are now available. I'm also working hard to bring testing to South Dade and West Kendall and hope that the County administration will be able to open those sites in the next few days.

  • Marlins Park: Testing available for residents 65 and older who are showing symptoms. By appointment only; call 305-499-8767.
  • Hard Rock Stadium: Testing available for those 65 and older who are symptomatic as well as healthcare workers and first responders. Call the county hotline at 305-499-8767 to schedule.
  • Community Health of South Florida: Testing available in two locations for patients who have symptoms and either a recent history of travel to an affected country or contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19.
  • Doris Ison Health Center – 10300 SW 216 St. Miami: Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 12 pm.
  • Florida City (new location) – 450 W. Davis Parkway, Florida City, FL 33034: Open every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm.
  • Miami Beach (46th & Collins): Testing available to those with symptoms; call 305-735-3909 to schedule an appointment.
  • Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah: Testing available to residents 65 and older with symptoms; call 305-268-4319 to schedule.
  • The City of Miami has also launched a testing service for homebound seniors. Learn more.

JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM

Any patient experiencing serious symptoms of COVID-19 can seek emergency treatment at any hospital emergency room, including any Jackson facility. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitation is suspended for most patients at most facilities, and Jackson encourages the use of phone calls, electronic messages, and videoconference. Watch a video from Jackson's leadership.

OTHER RESOURCES