'Lottery-Style' Application Process To Help Manatee Residents

BRADENTON, FL — A "lottery-style" application process is planned to help Manatee County residents who have taken an economic hit from the new coronavirus. Residents may qualify for up to $1,500 per month for three months to pay rent, mortgages and utilities that haven't otherwise been covered by insurance or some other type of financial assistance program.

The Manatee Cares Assistance Program will be accepting applications between Wednesday and Friday to help county residents who lost their jobs or lost significant income as a result of the pandemic.

People who live within Bradenton city limits are not eligible for the county assistance program because the city receives funds directly from the federal government.

“There’s a very finite amount of dollars that we have received to assist a very large number of recently unemployed residents in Manatee County," according to Geri Lopez, director of the Redevelopment and Economic Opportunity department which is overseeing the county program.

“We know there will be a very high demand for this one-time assistance, but we’re going to assist as best we can," Lopez said. "We’re just asking for patience through the process. We’re hopeful that additional funding will arrive from state or federal partners to allow us to offer another round of help in the future.”

A Bradenton city spokesperson told Patch the city applied for additional funding related to the new coronavirus.

"We have sent a plan for HUD approval that would allocate our additional $257,300 to programs that serve individuals, as opposed to having individuals apply directly," explained the city's Jeannie Roberts. "We have not yet received official approval for that plan yet, but when we do, that money will be going to two agencies that serve people impacted by COVID-19. Those programs are Turning Points and Salvation Army."

The county received approximately $1.3 million from the federal Housing and Urban Development Department and State Housing Initiative Partnership program to assist people who have suffered financial hardships as a result of the new coronavirus.

Click here to apply for the county program or to get more information. Applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. Wednesday to 5 p.m. Friday.

Officials plan to hold a "lottery-style drawing" by June 16 to randomly determine the order in which applications will be reviewed.

"Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility criteria will be notified by county staff with status of eligibility," officials said. Anyone who is not selected to participate in the drawing will be notified by June 18.

Most questions are addressed on the website. If applicants have questions or need to speak to someone by phone about the application after they have reviewed the CARES FAQ they can call the CARES Helpline at 941-745-6270 or send an email to ManateeCARES@mymanatee.org.

Here is the type of proof you will need to be considered for the program:

• Letter or email showing termination, furlough or a reduction of hours from employer stating termination/reduction is related to COVID-19
• Screenshot of employer’s website stating the employer is currently closed due to COVID-19 along with a past pay stub showing you worked there.
• Copy of an unemployment application that shows COVID-19 contributed to your unemployment.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call 941-748-4501.