CARES Act
Through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, the CARES Act provides for payments to State, Local and Tribal governments impacted by COVID-19. Florida has received $8,328,221,072 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury –
- 12 Florida jurisdictions with populations greater than 500,000 qualified for and received direct payments totaling $2,472,413,692. This included Brevard County, Broward County, Hillsborough County, Duval County, Lee County, Miami-Dade County, Orange County, Palm Beach County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Polk County and Volusia County.
- The remaining balance of $1,275,285,790 was reverted to the State of Florida from the local government allocation, for the state to disburse to local governments with populations less than 500,000.
Under Section 601(a) of the Social Security Act, as added by section 5001 of the CARES Act, these funds may only be used to cover costs that –
- Are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19);
- Were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for the State or government; and
- Were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 31, 2021.
A cost is "incurred" when the responsible unit of government has expended funds to cover the cost. A link to U.S. Department of the Treasury CRF guidance, frequently asked questions and related material can be found in the Resources section of this page.
The State of Florida, through the Division of Emergency Management, will make an initial disbursement to each county government. County governments must sign a funding agreement with the Division of Emergency Management stating:
- The County will use the fund disbursement on eligible expenditures as defined by the CARES Act, and related guidance from the United States Department of the Treasury;
- The County agrees to allow the State of Florida to recapture any de-obligated portion of the disbursed funds through hold-back of any revenue share with the state, withholding of any other federal funds transfer from the state, or other available means determined by the state if expenditures are determined to be ineligible; and
- The County agrees to submit quarterly reports to the Division of Emergency Management detailing the expenditure of disbursed funds.
Counties may request additional funds on a reimbursement basis, submitted to the Division of Emergency Management.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury CRF Information
- U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments - 04/22/2020
- U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance for State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Governments - 06/30/2020
- U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions - 05/28/2020
- U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions - 06/24/2020
- U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions - 07/08/2020
- U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions - 08/10/2020
- U.S. Department of Treasury - Coronavirus Relief Fund Frequently Asked Questions - 10/19/2020
- CARES Act - Local Government Program Presentation
- CARES Act Funding Overview Webinar - 7/9/2020
- Treasury Office of Inspector General Coronavirus Relief Fund Recipient Reporting Update - (7/31/2020)
For questions about this program, please email us at FLCares@em.myflorida.com.
