Departments » Departments A-E » Emergency Management » COVID-19 Information

Community Resources

Print
Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Font Size: + -

Updated 8/28/2020

Hernando CARES Housing Assistance Program 

Hernando County has received CARES funding to provide relief to households who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 in our community. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with payments such as rent, mortgage, utilities, temporary storage and the like, please visit www.hernandocounty.us/housing for more information on how to apply to receive these funds. Funding is restricted by income limits.

Applications will be accepted beginning August 18, 2020 and will continue until all funding is committed.

If you have any questions on the Hernando County CARES Act Housing Relief Program, please contact Terri Beverly at (352) 754-4160, extension 3. 

Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency (ACCESS)

To apply for food assistance, Medicaid, and/or cash assistance, or to manage your benefits and receive information, visit https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/ or login to your MYACCESS account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 866-762-2237 or 850-300-4DCF.

With a MyACCESS account you can: apply for benefits, check the status of an application, report changes, receive information faster by opting-in to receive electronic notifications, and upload documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Log into your MyACCESS account at the following link: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.

United Way of Hernando County

The health and safety of our community is a priority of United Way in Hernando County. Please visit https://www.unitedwayhernando.org/COVID19 for information on how you can help or get help in Hernando County. 

Behavioral Health & Wellness

BayCare

As the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, BayCare Behavioral Health is determined to do its part to keep the local community informed about preparation, protection and potential impact. For direct information, visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center.

Premier Community HealthCare

If you are experiencing fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath, please call prior to entering a Premier Community Clinics. Direct extensions are listed on the front doors and parking lot signage.

Premier is proud to offer Telehealth for existing Family Medicine patients. Receive care in the comfort of your home. Visit PremierHC.org or call 352-518-2000 to request your Telehealth appointment. 

We know social distancing, quarantine and the uncertainty of the coming days may cause stress and worry. Our Behavioral Health Services team is ready to assist you and your loved ones with coping. Call 352-518-2000 to schedule your appointment today.

SAMHSA

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes the challenges posed by the current COVID-19 situation and is providing guidance and resources to assist individuals, providers, communities, and states across the country. Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517) 

NAMI Hernando

NAMI Hernando is offering online peer support groups using Zoom to help you manage your mental wellness while social distancing. Individual support is also available by phone at (352) 684-0004, from 9am-3pm M-F. After-hours assistance/support call (352) 316-7783. 

More Resources on Mental Health & COVID-19

CareerSource Pasco Hernando

CareerSource Pasco Hernando is now open to the public by appointment only, and offices will be open limited hours as follows:

  • New Port Richey Office: 4440 Grand Blvd. NPR, FL 34652
    • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8am - 1pm (by appointment only)
    • Tuesday and Thursday: 2pm - 7pm (by appointment only)
  • Brooksville Office: 16336 Cortez Blvd. Brooksville, FL 34601
    • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8am - 1pm (by appointment only)
    • Tuesday and Thursday: 2pm - 7pm (by appointment only)
  • Dade City Office: 15000 Citrus Country Drive Ste. 303 Dade City, FL 33523
    • Tuesday and Thursday: 9am - 4pm (by appointment only)

All public events, including agency related job fairs, onsite recruitments, workshops and community events hosted at a CareerSource locations have also been postponed until further notice.

Career Source Pasco Hernando continues to assist both employers and job seekers through remote operations.  This assistance includes: 

  • Registering for re-employment financial assistance and the CARES stimulus program.
  • Providing guidance and information regarding valuable public assistance services to assist displaced workers.
  • Helping employers and job seekers identify and fill critical positions.
  • And many more essential services to sustain and rebuild our local economy.

For Reemployment information and COVID19 updates, visit www.careersourcepascohernando.com/pages/covid19.

Child Services

Center for Disease Control

Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT)

P-EBT is a supplemental benefit for households with children who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to pandemic-related school closures. Learn more about this program through the Florida Department of Children and Families FAQ list. 

Florida KidCare

Florida KidCare includes free, subsidized, and full-pay options for health and dental insurance for Florida children ages 0-18. There are four KidCare programs: Medicaid, MediKids, Children’s Medical Services, and Florida HealthyKids. For more information on these programs, please visit the FloridaKidCare website at: https://www.floridakidcare.org/.

Churches, Community- & Faith-based Organizations

CDC Guidance for Community- & Faith-based Organizations (CFBOs)

This guidance is intended to help CFBOs prevent the transmission of COVID-19 within their facilities and communities. CFBOs need to be able to react quickly if there is a confirmed COVID-19 case among staff, volunteers, the people they serve, or visitors. This guidance includes considerations to help administrators and leaders plan for the continuity of services depending on level of community spread of COVID-19.

Elder Services

Center for Disease Control

Elder Helpline

For information regarding elder services and activities, such as food and nutrition, health and wellness, housing, legal services, long-term or home care, or other support services, please call the Florida Department of Elder Affair’s Elder Helpline: 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337).

Protective Services

For questions or assistance regarding adult protective services, such as the placement of seniors at assisted living facilities, nursing homes, etc. please call the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Office of Adult Protective Services: 850-488-2881.

Florida Abuse Hotline

To report any known or suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect of vulnerable adults (elderly or disabled), please call the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Florida Abuse Hotline which receives reports 24 hours a day: 1-800-962-2873. Reports are also accepted online at: https://reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us/.

Employee Rights

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

Food Pantries

See a list of food pantries in Hernando County with COVID-19 updates.

Homelessness

The Office of Homelessness contracts with local entities that provide a comprehensive array of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, and supportive services to address the varying needs of the persons who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless. For more information about this program, including locating a local provider, please visit our web page at https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/homelessness/.

Job Search Resources

These job search resources will help you research job openings, create a great resume, apply for jobs, and research labor market trends. This includes assistance for veterans, military families, seniors and persons with disabilities.

Online Grocery Purchase Pilot Program

On April 14, 2020, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced Florida will pilot a program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase groceries online with the use of an EBT card. SNAP participants are automatically eligible to participate in this program and do not need to apply.

The pilot program will launch in Tallahassee on April 16 expanding statewide on April 20, 2020. On April 21, both Walmart and Amazon online purchasing will be available statewide. Walmart already accepts SNAP benefits at all its brick and mortar locations in the United States. Customers will be able to use their EBT cards and opt for curbside pick-up. Utilization of food assistance benefits remains limited to the purchasing of eligible grocery items and cannot be used to pay for delivery services.

 For more information about the online purchasing pilot, please visit https://myflfamilies.com/covid19/access.shtml.

Reemployment Assistance (RA) Benefits

Reemployment Assistance provides temporary wage replacement benefits to eligible individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own. If your employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive RA benefits.

  • The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will be conducting nightly maintenance to the CONNECT system to help with processing claims. CONNECT will only be available from 8 a.m. – 7:59 p.m. daily.
  • Importantly, this will not affect individuals that are filing a new claim. Individuals can file a new claim 24 hour a day, seven days per week. If you are a NEW claimant applying for Reemployment Assistance benefits, apply online at the following link: Florida Dept. of Economic Opportunity. 
  • If you are having trouble accessing the application, download the form directly: FDEO Reemployment Assistance Application for Services.

People who need assistance filing a claim online because of legal reasons, computer illiteracy, language barriers or disabilities may call 1-800-204-2418 or visit FloridaJobs.org.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program provides unemployment benefits to those that may not otherwise be eligible under Florida’s state Reemployment Assistance program, including independent contractors and individuals who are self-employed. Individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19 and believe they may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, can visit www.FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim" to apply and be considered for PUA.

Applicants should utilize the following criteria when applying for PUA:

Individuals who applied for the state’s Reemployment Assistance benefits on or after April 5,2020, and were deemed ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits will receive additional application information from the Department. They can also visit www.FloridaJobs.org/cares-act for more information regarding these programs.

Those who are self-employed, contract employees, gig workers, or others who applied for the state’s Reemployment Assistance benefits on or before April 4, 2020, should apply at www.FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim” to request PUA.

Unemployed Floridians who have not yet applied for any benefit should apply at www.FloridaJobs.org and will be considered for all existing programs, including PUA.

Resources for People with Disabilities

SNAP, TANF & Medicaid Programs

  • At the request of Governor DeSantis, and in accordance with the federal Families First Coronavirus Act, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) will waive work requirements for individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. 
  • The DCF temporarily closed all storefronts and lobbies to safeguard the public and employees from the spread of COVID-19. While these facilities are used to serve customers, the department continues to use technology to ensure continuity of service.
  • Call 866-762-2237 or 850-300-4DCF for assistance.

Read more on DCF's COVID-19 response: www.myflfamilies.com/covid19/

Temporary Layoff Program

A Temporary Layoff occurs when the employee is separated from their job due to lack of work, and the employee has a return-to-work date within eight weeks of the separation. An employee that is temporarily laid off from work may be eligible for RA benefits. You can file your claim by accessing CONNECT through www.floridajobs.org.

People who need assistance filing a claim may call 1-800-204-2418 or visit FloridaJobs.org

Take-Out & Delivery Restaurants

Help support local restaurants with this list of Take-Out & Delivery Options.

Veterans' Affairs

  • Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), flu or cold should contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 (toll free) before coming to a VA facility.
  • Clinical staff are available to provide 24/7 virtual care and support, including nurse advice and triage. This service is available at no cost to Veterans enrolled for care in VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8).
  • For Veterans in crisis or those who are concerned, help is available at the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, and press 1, or text 838255, or chat at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.

For more information about VA’s overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how procedures have changed at your local VA, click here.