Under the Cares Act, renters and homeowners who have struggled financially because of the pandemic can apply for funds to help tie them over.
Tarrant County received a grant (meaning that it is money that does not have to be paid back) of 209 million dollars from the federal government. And, it has until December 30, 2020, to use or lose it.
The second round of small business grants has opened.
This past Monday, the county opened applications for its second round of the Small Business Assistance Program, which provides up to $10,000 for businesses that lost income because of coronavirus closures. And, there is approximately 12.4 million yet to be distributed of the original $30 million grant for small businesses.
Eligible businesses for the grant include:
- A small business with 25 or fewer employees.
- The primary business operation must be located within Tarrant County and outside of the city of Fort Worth.
- It can be a for-profit business open and operating in Tarrant County as of Jan. 1.
- A business that was closed or partially closed due to COVID-19.
- And/or a business that shows a reduction in revenue or an increased loss from COVID-19.
Business owners can apply on the county’s website.
Rental assistance is still available.
The county also allocated $30 million for rental assistance and nonprofit organizations. So far, about $1.3 million has been distributed for rental assistance and about $6.8 million to nonprofits.
Applications for rental assistance are open and are done on a first-come, first-served basis. As of Oct. 20, 1,279 people have applied for assistance and 667 of them were approved. This number does not include the city of Fort Worth, which has its own program.
The county has denied 612 applications because the applicant could not prove that the pandemic kept them from paying rent.
Eligible people for rental assistance include:
- Applicants must be a Tarrant County resident not living in Fort Worth. (Fort Worth residents, visit the city’s website.
- Individuals who have experienced a loss of income directly related to COVID-19.
- Renters who have only one primary residence and are listed on the lease agreement.
- Residents who have unpaid rent on or after April 1, 2020.
- Those who have not and will not receive assistance from another rental assistance program.
- Applicants must have a landlord who is willing to participate in the program and certify that rent is owed.
To apply, visit the county’s website.
