CARES funding still available for Columbia County residents

FILE - In this June 15, 2018, file photo, cash is fanned out from a wallet in North Andover, Mass. High-interest payday and online lenders have long been among the few options for Americans with bad credit and lower incomes. Guidance issued in the spring by federal regulators cut a previously suggested rate cap on loans and that could mean banks start lending small-dollar, high-interest loans. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) (Elise Amendola, Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners approved $2 million to aid Columbia County residents that are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

And some of that money is still available for residents.

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Households may receive up to $3,000 to pay for rent, mortgage, phone, cable, internet, or electric expenses. The program is managed in partnership with the United Way of Suwannee Valley and Catholic Charities of Lake City.

A few tips to apply for CARES assistance:

  • Ensure your residence address is located in Columbia County.
  • Complete the online application in its entirety. Incomplete applications will be returned via email.
  • Applications cannot be completed over the phone. Citizens must complete the application online. Citizens that do not have access to the internet may utilize a computer at the Downtown Library located at 308 NW Columbia Ave, Lake City, FL 32055.
  • A case manager from United Way or Catholic Charities will contact applicants once the submission is processed.

To apply for assistance, visit  https://unitedwsv.org/cares-act/ and complete an application. Call 386-752-5604 with questions.


About the Author

A Jacksonville native and proud University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 after spending nine years at The Florida Times-Union.

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