APPLICATION LAUNCH DATE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 AND END ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020 OR WHEN ALLOCATED FUNDS ARE EXHAUSTED.

The Union County CARES Small Business Relief Grant Program uses a portion of the County’s allocation from the federal CARES Act approved by Congress.  The Program will allow small businesses access to grant money to help cover business expenses, including employee wages, mortgage, rent, vendor invoices, utility bills, payroll and other costs to help offset the financial impact due to business interruption or closures as a result of COVID-19. An applicant will be asked to provide documentation to demonstrate a loss of revenue, along with the application.

You may pick up and submit your application by one of the following:

1. At the Union County Board of County Commissioner’s Office located at 15 NE 1st Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054 between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
2. Email to: [email protected]
3. Mail to: Union County Board of County Commissioners
   UNION CARES
                 15 NE 1st Street
                 Lake Butler, FL 32054
4. Download and upload through the Union County Website at: https://unioncounty-fl.gov/

All information submitted to apply for these governmental grant funds may become public information and is subject to audit by the federal, state and local authorities.

Businesses that meet any of the following conditions are ineligible.

• Union County firms that are a subsidiary or partially owned by a publicly traded company or a hedge fund. Gambling institutions, multi-level organizations, real estate investment firms (REITS), and adult entertainment.
• Companies with legal actions against or from the County, including code enforcement liens.
• Business owners that apply for Union County CARES Business Relief Fund grants on behalf of more than two businesses become ineligible for additional grants.
• Owners of home-based businesses in Union County that are in the process of receiving

A COVID-19 individual assistance grant for rent, mortgage, or utility assistance grant from the County do not qualify for the business grant program.

**IF ANY OF THE INELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ABOVE APPLY, YOUR BUSINESS DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNION COUNTY CARES BUSNIESS RELIEF FUND GRANT**

Qualified Businesses can receive up to $5,000

Funding will be made available to a limited number of small businesses that meet specific requirements set by the Union County CARES Small Business Grant Program. Applicants that received funding from any other program such as PPP and EIDL, may still apply however any funds received cannot be duplicated. A qualified small businesses that can attest that they were negatively impacted by COVID-19 include funding levels for those as follows:

Home Based Business –	up to	$ 1,000
Brick & Mortar Business with 0-5 employees –	up to	$ 2,000
Brick & Mortar Business with 6-15 employees –	up to	$ 3,000
Brick & Mortar Business with 16-25 employees –	up to	$ 4,000
Brick & Mortar Business with 26-50 employees –	up to	$ 5,000

Qualifications:

A business applicant that meets ALL of the following criteria qualifies:

• For-profit business only

ineligible Businesses are non-profits, gambling institutions, multi-level organizations, real estate investment firms, and Adult Entertainment.

• Applicants must have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.
• Applicants must be businesses with a principal location in Union County that is legally operating within Union County and the State of Florida since October 01, 2019.
• Expect to operate for at least 12 months after grant award.
• Applicants expect to resume normal operations after the emergency guidelines are lifted.

Documentation:

The following documents will need to be submitted with the application

• A copy of each owner’s photo ID
• A copy of an “active” state business registration from the Florida Division of Corporations. (If applicable)

Go to this website https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/search/, search by Entity Name using full legal business name, select listing with “active” status and attach most recent filing or attach other documentation showing an active business status since 10/1/19 in Union County.

• Proof of number of employees under payroll.
• A completed and signed IRS W-9 form. The Mailing Address must match your business registration and entries in the General Information section. (Attached)
• Information to estimate your company’s average monthly expenses before March 1, 2020. (2019 Income Tax Return) and a Profit and Loss Statement for the months of January through August, 2020.
• Duplication of Benefits Agreement (Attached)

Please note:  Please do not call to check on the status of your request as this will slow down our process of approving and distributing assistance.  If the documents submitted do not meet the required criteria, a letter will be sent to the address listed on the application.  

APPLICATION LAUNCH DATE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 AND END ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020 OR UNTIL ALLOCATED FUNDS ARE EXHAUSTED

Union CARES for Families uses a portion of the County’s allocation from the federal CARES Act approved by Congress.

What Are the Union CARES Funds?

If you lost a job or significant income due to impacts from the pandemic, you may qualify for financial assistance up to $1,000 per household to pay for rent, mortgage or utility payments during the period starting March 1, 2020.

This fund helps Union County individuals and families affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic to help with a one-time payment to maintain housing.

You can only apply for assistance to cover coronavirus-related costs that have not already been paid for by insurance or by another federal program.

How it works:

Paper applications are available for pickup at the Union County Board of County Commissioner’s Office at 15 NE 1st Street, Lake Butler, FL 32054 between 9:00 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday. You may also download, complete on-line, or have an application emailed to you by requesting it at [email protected].  

Applications will be processed on a first come, first qualified basis until funds are exhausted or the program ends on October 31^st.

Assistance is available on Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM by calling (386) 496-4241 or email at [email protected]. Call volumes will be higher than usual during the application window. Once your signed forms and residency documentation have been received, you will get a message confirming the status of your application.  Upon approval, all payments will go directly to the eligible utility, mortgage lender or landlord. You WILL NOT receive a direct payment. If your application is denied you will be notified by mail.

Please note: Assistance requests will be processed as quickly as possible. Due to the widespread impact of the pandemic on our local community, we anticipate a high volume of requests. Please do not call to check on the status of your request as this will slow down our process of approving and distributing assistance.  

Union CARES Funds FAQ

What Expenses Can I Get Help With?  

This fund helps items to keep you housed and employed. This fund may provide the following assistance:

• Rent payment
• Mortgage payment
• Electric/Water payment

What Documents Will I Need to Submit?

You will be required to submit documents that verify your:

• US Citizenship
• Union County Residency
• Showing past-due amount on your utility bills or mortgage bill
• For rent assistance:

• Late Notice with the total amount due
• The first page of the lease
• Landlord Certification Form
• Completed W9 from the landlord

• Showing financial hardship due to COVID-19
  • Unemployment letter showing award or other information related to COVID-19, employer notice of reduced hours, furlough, or layoff due to COVID-19, or any other document that shows a reduction of income related to COVID-19

All documents must have the same name and identifying information across all the documents to receive assistance.

There are similar documents in each category below, you only need to provide one copy of the document to be used for each category above. For example, a social security card can be used for citizenship and identification. Also, a valid driver’s license can be used for identification and residency requirements.

Required Documentation:

Submit copies of the following documents below:

1. Proof of US Citizenship (One from below)
   • Current Union County Driver’s License with Real ID Star
   • US social security card
   • US birth certificate
   • Valid & current U.S. passport
   • Certificate of Naturalization
   • “Green card” INS form I-151 or I-551. 
2. Proof of Union County Residency (One from below)
   • Current Union County Driver’s License or State Identification showing a Union County address
   • Mortgage documents, rental lease, rent receipts or letter from a landlord or property owner
   • Proof of Homestead Exemption
   • Recent water, electric, gas, telephone, cable television or other utility bills in the name of the applicant indicating a current address within Union County
   • Vehicle registration in the name of the applicant indicating an address within Union County
   • Union County Voter Identification card
   • Bank, credit union, or a similar statement indicating a home address in Union County
3. Past Due Mortgage or Utility Bills (All from below)
   • PDF of the utility late/overdue bills (water, and/or electricity, )
   • PDF of the mortgage statement
4. Past Due Rent Bills (All from below)
   • Eviction notice or late notice listing the amount past due and a copy of the lease.
   • If the applicant receives Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance, a Housing Assistance Payment Contract (HAP Contract) is required in addition to the lease agreement.
   • The first page of the lease.
   • Landlord Certification Form (included in application packet)
   • W9 from the landlord for payment (blank copy included in application packet)
5. Self-Certification of Income Form (included in application packet)
6. Duplication of Benefits Agreement (included in application packet)
7. Documentation Showing Financial Hardship (One from below)
   • Unemployment letter showing award or other information related to COVID-19
   • Employer notice of reduced hours, furlough, or layoff due to COVID-19
   • Any other document that shows a reduction of income related to COVID-19

Download Union CARES Business Application
Download Union CARES Business Overview
Download Union CARES Individual Packet
Download Union CARES Individual Overview
Download W-9 IRS Form
Download Landlord Certification
Download Self-Certification of Income

Please submit forms and required documentation to [email protected]

SHIPP (CRF) Coronavirus Relief Fund

This program is not for businesses!

Union County announces the availability of $175,000 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Application packets can be emailed, faxed, or mailed to you upon request by contacting Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. at 386-362-4115 ext 233 or via email at [email protected], or it can be downloaded and printed from the SREC, Inc. website at www.srecinc.org.  Applications will be accepted beginning August 3, 2020 and will continue to be accepted until December 29, 2020 or until funds have been exhausted.  For additional information please contact Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. at 386-362-4115 ext. 233, or [email protected].

Click the link below for SREC CARES Information
http://srecinc.org/programs/coronavirus-relief-fund-crf-disaster-program/