COVID 19 Community Resources
To assist Brevard’s individuals and families impacted by COVID-19, United Way of Brevard is providing information and resources available to help you and your family. This site will be updated frequently as new information becomes available.
IF YOU NEED HELP:
The 211 Helpline is available 24/7 to connect you with resources for food, mental health, legal support and more. Those in need of help can dial 2-1-1 or 321-632-6688.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Evictions/Foreclosures
The Supreme Court ruled that the CDC’s moratorium can no longer stand and ended it on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Therefore, landlords can file and obtain eviction judgments. If you are at risk of a potential eviction please contact the county for rental assistance. The application and further information on this is found below.
For legal resources if you are facing eviction, visit:
The CDC order does not provide protections for foreclosures. However, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issued a foreclosure and eviction moratorium through December 31, 2020 for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages. If you have a private, non-FHA-insured lender and are experiencing difficulty making mortgage payments reach out to your lender to try and negotiate a plan that works for you.
Reemployment Assistance/Unemployment
People receiving unemployment MUST check into CONNECT every two weeks to request and receive their unemployment benefits. Work search and work registration requirements for claimants began again June 1, 2021. Claimants will need to satisfy these requirements to remain eligible to receive unemployment benefits from the state.
Florida remains enrolled in the PUA, PEUC, and MEUC programs. These benefits will no longer be available after the week ending September 6, 2021.
Food Stamps: Work requirements are reinstated effective June 1, 2021. The online EBT program which allows recipients to purchase groceries online with an EBT card now includes the following retailers: ALDI, Amazon, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Publix, and Walmart. Florida is no longer offering the maximum monthly allotment for SNAP recipients and has returned to providing benefits based on household size, gross income, and expenses paid.
Make your SNAP dollars go twice as far! Buy one, get one on all fresh or frozen produce at Evans Community Market. 1361 Florida Ave NE, Palm Bay FL Mon - Sat 7 am - 5 pm; www.evanscenter.org
Veterans: COVID-19 Project Vet Relief Fund https://helpflvets.org/covid-19-support/
Prescription cost relief: FamilyWize provides a free discount card to show to your pharmacist. Please note this is a discount card and not insurance. You can download the card online at https://www.familywize.org/free-prescription-discount-card, or text the word "SAVE" to "700700." Reply "YES" to the auto response, and the card will be downloaded to your phone. (Message and data rates may apply. FamilyWize Terms and Privacy) Once you have received the card, you can opt out of getting messages by texting “STOP.”
Student Loans: The office of Federal Student Aid continues to provide temporary relief through January 31, 2022 on Department of Education-owned federal student loans including suspension of loan payments, stopping collections on defaulted loans, and a 0% interest rate during this time. Please note that this does not apply to private loans.
Free financial advice. An #AFCPE certified financial counselor or coach can help you make a plan and provide you with free unbiased financial education. https://www.yellowribbonnetwork.org/afcpecovid19
UTILITIES AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE
Brevard County has received more than $18 million from the federal government to assist residents with rent, utilities, and other expenses related to housing. The application is available to renters as well as landlords with renter permission. The county will generally be paying out any money directly to the landlords and utility companies.
Applications will be accepted the following ways:
Via the online portal at https://brevardflhhs.seamlessdocs.com/f/EmergencyRentalAssistance
All county libraries
By email at BrevardERA@brevardfl.gov
By mail or hand delivery to:
Housing and Human Services Department
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson way, B-106
Viera, Florida 32940
Eligibility requirements are as follows:
You must be a resident of Brevard County
You/your household must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income ($55,350 for a family of four) – priority will be given to those who fall at or below 50% of the Area Median Income ($34,600 for a family of four). You can find the full income chart on the application.
You must provide and sign all required documents or your application will be rejected or denied. This includes accounting for all members of the household and all income documentation for every person in the household.
Our Florida provides federally funded emergency rental assistance. Visit https://www.ourflorida.com/ to learn more, see if you qualify, and apply.
Titusville
Titusville has begun using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to assist eligible residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 and need rental, mortgage, or utility assistance. Eligible households include those who have qualified for and receive unemployment benefits, experienced a job loss or reduction of income, has experienced a disproportionate economic harm due directly to the pandemic, or can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homeless or housing instability.
For more information or to request an application for rent, mortgage, or utility assistance, please email your request to titusvilleCARESAct@titusville.com, or visit the Neighborhood Services Department located in the Harry T. Moore Social Service Center, 725 S. DeLeon Avenue, Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Make sure that you provide all documentation required. If you do not supply this, your application will be denied.
Spectrum is partnering with school districts to help students learn remotely. To enroll in the program, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
Florida Power & Light
For customers experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19, FPL has resources available online at www.FPL.com/HELP Funding for Florida’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has increased significantly during the pandemic, and FPL estimates that $30 million in financial assistance remains available to customers, and qualifications for this program have been modified so more customers are eligible. If you are having trouble paying your electric bill, call FPL at 1-800-226-3545 to discuss assistance options.
FOOD and FOOD PANTRIES
HOT MEAL LOCATIONS
Central Brevard Sharing Center
113 Aurora Street
Cocoa 32924
11am-1pm M-Sat & 2pm-3pm on Sun
Daily Bread
815 E. Fee Ave.
Melbourne 32901
Meals Daily 11-1
Cornerstone Church of God
311 E Hibiscus Blvd.
Melbourne 32901
Breakfast meals Saturday 9:30-10:30
My Community Cares
1046 Dixon Blvd
Cocoa 32922
Dinner meals 4-6 pm Wed-Friday
Salvation Army North Central (Titusville)
1218 W. Main Street
Titusville 32796
Mon-Sat
11-11:30 am
Meals of Love:
Free restaurant-prepared, delivered meal for any senior 60+ years or disabled adult. Government-funded. Each new participant must complete a State Assessment Form 701c. It is available at mealsoflove.org. For assistance, call the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation at 321-253-4430.
Meals for Kids
Brevard Public Schools is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a meal flexibility waiver to allow school food authorities to operate the Summer Seamless Option (SSO) for the 2021-22 school year. The purpose of this waiver is to provide a safe and efficient meal service during the 2021-22 school year, and to alleviate food insecurity for families. This flexibility allows schools that qualify to offer meals at no charge to all enrolled students.
STIMULUS CHECK GENERAL INFORMATION
Important changes to the Child Tax Credit will help many families get advance payments of the credit starting this summer. The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments beginning July 15. You will claim the other half when you file your 2021 income tax return. These changes apply to tax year 2021 only.
HEALTH RESOURCES
Vaccinations
Vaccines are readily available throughout the county. Please check with your local pharmacies, large groceries retailers with pharmacies, physicians, and municipality sites. Everyone aged 18 years and older is now eligible to receive any of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen AKA Johnson & Johnson). Ages 12 and older are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
Pharmacy Vaccination Locations:
Other Health Information
You may still apply for Marketplace health coverage until August 15th through a Special Enrollment Period due to the pandemic. Learn more here - https://www.healthcare.gov/coronavirus/
The Florida Department of Health and Center for Disease Control make the following recommendations:
In order to try to prevent exposure to the coronavirus,
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially if you have been in a public place, or after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. If you do not have soap and water available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
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Avoid close contact. Stay at least 6 feet away from people if possible, and avoid hugs, handshakes, large gatherings, and close quarters
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Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. Do not place cloth face coverings on children under 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unable to remove the mask without assistance. Do not use face masks meant for use by healthcare workers.
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Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
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Cover coughs and sneezes.
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. (Ex: tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks)
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Monitor your health.
If you think you have been exposed to coronavirus,
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Watch for symptoms
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Call your doctor or the Brevard Health Department at 321-454-7141 to determine if you need to be tested.
The CDC provides a list of the known symptoms of COVID-19 as well as a self-checker to assist if you believe you are showing symptoms.
If you are sick and believe it is due to COVID-19 - Get tested. Testing is available at urgent care clinics, CVS and Walgreens.
The Department of Health is also offering free COVID-19 testing at the following locations:
Titusville – Parrish Medical Center, 921 N. Washington Ave, Titusville
Merritt Island – Kiwanis Island Park, 951 Kiwanis Island Park Rd, Merritt Island
Drive-thru testing, Mon-Sun 9AM-5PM; No appointment necessary, but pre-registration is recommended via https://www.patientportalfl.com/s/?language=en_US
Viera – Department of Health, 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera
West Melbourne – West Melbourne Community Park, 300 Minton Rd, West Melbourne (Use Fell Rd entrance)
Walk-up testing, Mon-Sun 9AM-5PM; No appointment necessary, but pre-registration is recommended via https://www.patientportalfl.com/s/?language=en_US
The Department of Health has begun offering testing once again at 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera. Testing (both PCR and rapid antigen) is available weekdays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., and appointments are necessary. To make an appointment go to https://testing.nomihealth.com/easy_registration/26/onsite and scroll until you see the Viera option.
COVID-19 Treatment Option
The state has set up a monoclonal antibody therapy treatment site in Brevard County. This treatment is available to individuals 12 and older and helps people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been exposed and are at high risk for severe illness and hospitalization. The antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus and should be administered as soon as possible. The treatment is free and currently does not require a prescription.
Location: Kiwanis Island Park, 951 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island, FL 32952
Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
To make an appointment, visit https://www.patientportalfl.com/s/?language=en_US. Walk-ins are welcome.
Florida Department of Health
For questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov or https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/
BUSINESS OWNERS
Last updated 10/4/2021
