FAQs • Boca Raton, FL • CivicEngage

Does a person have to be a citizen or permanent resident alien to receive assistance?: Yes, only households where all members are US citizens or permanent resident aliens would be eligible to receive assistance. The only exception to this is for people that have been approved for asylum through the US government. People that are in the process of obtaining citizenship, residency or asylum are not eligible to receive assistance until their status has been approved.

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Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Rental Assistance and Foreclosure Prevention Programs

1. My residence is not located in the City limits according to your map. Can I still apply?: No, properties that are located outside of the City limits are not eligible for assistance through Boca Raton. The property Parcel Control Number must begin with 06: this number can be found by searching your address at: https://www.pbcgov.com/papa/?redirect=1. If your property is not located within the City limits, please contact Palm Beach County to inquire about their program availability.

2. My hardship is not related to COVID-19. Can I still apply?: No. The Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) assistance programs are for households that have experienced a financial hardship directly due to the coronavirus pandemic.

3. What is considered a financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic?: Households that are experiencing financial hardship due to loss of employment, reduction in hours or the closing of a company would qualify as being impacted. Households that experienced financial hardship due to school or daycare closures may also be eligible. Additionally, households that are experiencing financial hardship due to a household member contracting or passing away from COVID-19 would also qualify as being impacted.

4. I am not behind on my payments, but am unable to pay for my current month’s rent or mortgage payment due to COVID-19. Can I still apply?: Yes. The CDBG-CV program allows for assistance for the current month’s rent or mortgage payments.

5. Can I apply for future payments?: No. A one-time award will be calculated to include a maximum of six months of housing payments due at the time assistance is provided, not to exceed a total of $15,000.

6. Can I apply for more assistance from your CDBG-CV program in the future if I need it?: No. Assistance through the City’s CDBG-CV program is a one-time award. Residents needing future assistance may apply to other programs, but cannot apply for a second award through the City’s CDBG-CV program.

7. Can I request assistance for my electricity account or my association dues only?: No. Assistance with electricity accounts and association dues may only be requested if the applicant is also applying and is eligible for rental assistance or foreclosure prevention assistance.

8. Can I apply for assistance if I have already received assistance from your CRF program, or other area programs?: Yes, as long as you are not requesting assistance for the same months of rent, mortgage, association fees or electricity that were paid through any previous program. For example, if you received assistance through Palm Beach County for January, February and March rent payments, the City’s CDBG-CV program would not be able to pay any additional amounts for those months.

9. Do I include income that my minor child receives in my household income calculation?: Yes, all sources of income for all members of the family must be included in the income calculation. The only exception to this is for any adult members of the household (excluding the head of household) that are full-time students. Then, only the first $480 of their income should be included in your household income calculation.

10. Do I include unemployment benefits in my income calculation?: That depends on the source of the unemployment benefits. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits should be included in the household income calculation. Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) and benefits authorized under the “Memorandum on Authorizing the Other Needs Assistance Program for Major Disaster Declarations Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019” (PM) should not be included as these are excluded as outlined in Community Planning and Development Notice CPD-21-03.

11. Which assets should I include when calculating the household asset amount?: Only liquid assets are included when considering the maximum asset limit amount of $7,500. Qualified retirement accounts, like 401k and IRA funds, are excluded, as is personal property like furniture and cars. However, liquid asset accounts (including, but not limited to checking, savings, investment portfolios, CDs, virtual currency and equity in properties other than the primary home) for all household members are included in the calculation.

12. Does a person have to be a citizen or permanent resident alien to receive assistance?: Yes, only households where all members are US citizens or permanent resident aliens would be eligible to receive assistance. The only exception to this is for people that have been approved for asylum through the US government. People that are in the process of obtaining citizenship, residency or asylum are not eligible to receive assistance until their status has been approved.

13. I am filling out the application on my phone and cannot get past the first screen to input my Parcel Control Number. How do I move on to the next page?: First, be sure that you have provided the entire Parcel Control Number accurately, then be sure that your address has a PCN that starts with 06. If this information is correct, tap anywhere on your phone screen, which should turn the “Next” button blue. You may then click on the “Next” button to move forward.