As the City of Hollywood continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are compiling resources to assist those impacted by COVID-19. Here is a summary of social assistance resources gathered to help those in need.
Reemployment Assistance (formerly Unemployment Compensation):
Reemployment Assistance benefits (formerly Unemployment Compensation) are available to Floridians whose employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and is available for workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. In Florida, a maximum of $275 a week is typically available for a maximum of 26 weeks. The CARES Act has additional programs available to provide assistance for those whose employment was negatively impacted as a result of the pandemic.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, if you were denied benefits or if you applied on or before April 4, 2020, you should reapply online at www.FloridaJobs.org (regardless of whether you have received a response from the department). This includes gig workers, independent contractors, the self-employed, people who just moved to Florida, or almost anyone else who wouldn’t normally be eligible for state benefits.
If you applied on or after April 5, 2020 the state will already be able to process your claim.
How can I apply?
Please click here for the City of Hollywood’s Reemployment Assistance Application Guide, which is a step-by-step guide on how to complete and submit the online application. In addition to applying online from a computer or mobile device, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is now accepting paper applications for Reemployment Assistance claims (available in English, Spanish and Creole). Here are three ways to obtain a paper application to mail in:
A) Download an application here and mail it to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, P.O. Box 5350, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350.
B) FedEx is now offering free printing and mailing of Reemployment Assistance paper applications at over 100 storefronts across the state. Click here to find your nearest FedEx store location.
C) Pick up a paper application from a CareerSource Broward career center below, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Once you have completed your paper application, please mail it to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, P.O. Box 5350, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350.
- 7550 Davie Road Extension, Hollywood, 33024
- 2610 West Oakland Park Blvd, Oakland Park, 33311
- 4941 Coconut Creek Pkwy, Coconut Creek, 33063
PIN Trouble When Applying For Reemployment Assistance
If you are unable to reset your PIN online:
- Call the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for assistance: 1-800-297-0586
- CareerSource Broward is now doing PIN resets for Reemployment Assistance (RA) customers in order to assist DEO with the overflow of PIN reset requests. Click here, scroll down to the “Get Help With Resetting Your CONNECT PIN” section, and click on the “Submit PIN Reset Request” button. This puts your name on a list so your PIN can be reset by CareerSource Broward staff.
Please note that in some cases, individuals may need to authenticate their identity. To do this, you will need to send a copy of your driver license and social security card to DEO:
- OR -
Still have questions regarding Reemployment Assistance? Check out the Reemployment Assistance Resources Page on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity website.
City of Hollywood
City of Hollywood’s Community Development Division within the Department of Development Services, helps connect residents with various agencies that provide needed services. While the City does not directly provide these services, the department provides residents guidance with accessing an array of social services such as Food Stamps, Handicapped Services, Clothing, Shelter and more. Please call 954.921.3271, Option 5
Dial 2-1-1
2-1-1 Broward is the live, 24-hour comprehensive helpline,
providing all people with crisis, health and human services support. You can call this line and get connected to resources in our community. You can also reach 2-1-1 Broward online.
Broward County
Broward County Agencies
Broward County Human Services
Broward Homeless Initiative Partnership or call 954.563.4357
Broward County Family Success Administration provides emergency assistance and case management services to prevent county residents from experiencing homelessness, evictions. foreclosures, loss of utility services and assistance with tuition, financial management, transportation, nutrition and child care. 954.357.6367.
Federal and State Benefits
Federal and state benefits
FPL Assistance
While the wide majority of Florida Power and Light (FPL) customers are able to pay their bills, they do have customers struggling as a result of COVID-19. FPL remains committed to helping those customers still experiencing hardship by connecting them with referral services, such as 211, to find financial assistance. FPL continues to offer payment extensions, waive late fees and connect customers with available financial assistance. FPL continues to work closely with customers to do everything possible to avoid turning the lights off for nonpayment. Customers struggling to pay their bill need to take action now by calling FPL directly, toll-free, at 800-226-3545. Representatives are available to discuss a customer’s particular situation, and share information on available financial assistance.
Eviction Prevention, Rent and Utility Assistance
The City has entered into an agreement with HOPE South Florida to provide Eviction Prevention, Rental and Utility Assistance for Hollywood residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding is provided by State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Funds. Learn more about the program and application window here.
Food Assistance
Broward County Public Schools “Grab and Go” meal service is now available at no cost to all children 18 years and younger – regardless of meal eligibility status and even if they don’t attend a BCPS school.
The “Grab-and-Go” meals are available at all elementary, middle and high schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Distribution times vary. Visit https://www.browardschools.com/food-service to search distribution times by school.
- “Grab-and-Go” meal bundles include multiple days’ worth of meals.
- Parents picking up meals for a student or who are unaccompanied by the student must present a form of identification, such as a student ID, report card, or a birth certificate.
Additionally, while families continue to face food insecurity as a result of the coronavirus, we invite you to visit Together4Broward.org. This online resource, created in partnership with Broward County, provides a list of organizations throughout the county assisting, primarily, with nutritional support.
The Florida Food Assistance Program administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. To apply, go to myflorida.com/accessflorida and click the link “Apply for Benefits.”
Feeding South Florida: A regional food bank serving about 300 nonprofit agencies, is distributing ready-to-eat food. They have launched a COVID-19 Response Fund to help support those in need during the pandemic. Those who require assistance and for other benefits may visit feedingsouthflorida.org or call 954.518.1857.
Feeding South Florida also offers appointment only pick-up from their Pembroke Park distribution at 2501 SW 32 Terrace, Pembroke Park, FL 33023. Either e-mail clientservices@feedingsouthflorida.org or call 954.518.1857 for more information.
Liberia Economic and Social Development Inc.: LES Food Pantry (walk-up), 2334 Green Street Apt. 3 in Hollywood. 954.924.3635.
- Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
- Bring proof of Hollywood residency - Picture ID or other acceptable documentation
- DONATIONS NEEDED - please call 954.924.3635 if you can help.
Community Enhancement Collaboration (CEC): Client Choice Food Pantry (walk-up), 5648 Wiley Street in Hollywood. 954.987.0625.
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday - doorstep delivery to low-income City of Hollywood seniors only (62 and older) from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Friday - open to the general public from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
- No ID required and walk-ups must not have car
- VOLUNTEERS and DONATIONS needed, please contact CEC by e-mail if you can help.
Helping Souls Pantry: Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church, 400 N 35th Avenue, Hollywood. 954.989.8304
- Open twice a month on Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (drive-up only)
- Clients must call 954.962.7181 for date of the next food distribution and to register for food pick-up
- No ID required
- DONATIONS needed, please contact Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church directly
Jubilee Center, Inc.: Jubilee Center 2020 Scott Street in Hollywood. 954.920.0106
- Food Pantry open Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- ID required
- Hot Meals to Go open Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- ID required
- VOLUNTEERS and DONATIONS needed, please contact the Jubilee Center directly if you can help.
Faith and Life Fellowship Ministries: Faith and Life Fellowship Ministries Food Pantry, 121 S 24th Avenue in Hollywood. 305.409.4339
- Food Pantry open every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (drive-thru only)
- No ID required
- Financial donations: Monetary donations will be accepted via check or money order only. Please visit www.flfm.org for more information.
Meals on Wheels South Florida
Area Agency on Aging of Broward’s Elder Helpline for Seniors over the age of 60 in need of food: 954.745.9779
The Aging & Disability Resource Center is offering free (frozen) meals deliveries to Broward County Seniors 60 + older. They even take into account allergies & dietary needs and Kosher requests. The only requirement is to live in Broward County and be 60 or older. Frozen meals are delivered in groups of 14 or 28 (1 or 2 weeks’ worth of meals) and delivered by Meals on Wheels. Please call the Aging & Disability Resource Center to schedule your delivery at 954-745-9779. Additional resources.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami “elderly service” program is providing meals to those in need who are 60 or older, live independently in their homes and are registered with the program. Instead of serving the food at its 12 senior centers across South Florida, employees are delivering meals. To learn more about the program visit www.ccadm.org/congregate-meals/
Free Internet
Xfinity and AT&T have opened up Wifi hotspots across the country so everyone can have access to the Internet for free, including non-customers. To find a hotspot near you visit wifi.xfinity.com and att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1103818/. In addition, providers are offering low-cost home internet service to eligible families.
Childcare
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) 20/21 eLearning Childcare Resources - For eLearning to be successful families will need a safe place for their children to go during the day while they are at work. To support working families, BCPS’s Before and After School Child Care (BASCC) Department has collaborated with a Network of community partners and care providers. View map and list of child care service providers.
Childcare Options for healthcare workers, first responders, city and county staff - Select YMCA’s in both Miami-Dade and Broward will be providing child care services for kids of first responders, healthcare workers as well as city and county staffers. Some YMCA’s have a broader criteria. To find a YMCA near you and to learn more about the program, visit https://ymcasouthflorida.org/schools-out/
Florida’s Department of Education and the Office of Early Learning have approved funding for Early Learning Coalitions (ELC) to administer free child care for parents who are first responders or health care workers regardless of income. This funding is retroactive to April 1, 2020, for children birth to 13 years old.
ELC staff have ensured that children and families retain their child care eligibility (regardless of attendance), continue to assist parents find child care programs that are still open, provide early learning activities and programming for children birth to 5 who are at home, provide resources and information to early learning parents and providers, and working closely with the State to ensure that child care providers continue to be paid during this crisis.
Each Center is ready to help essential employees find available child care, provide them online resources for early childhood education, and assist in any way to support the early learning community.
This information can also be accessed on each County’s Early Learning Coalition website.
BROWARD
www.elcbroward.org
MIAMI-DADE/MONROE
https://www.elcmdm.org
PALM BEACH
https://www.elcpalmbeach.org
COVID-19 Business Resources
City of Hollywood COVID-19 Business Resources
