COVID-19 Resources

Last Modified: 06/08/2023

Community Legal Services is taking necessary precautions to ensure the health and well-being of our clients, staff, and communities. At this time all our office locations are closed to the public. We remain available to our clients via the HELPline1-800-405-1417 and our website chat and intake forms available on this website.

If you are facing housing issues and you live in Orange County, please call 1-800-533-0091

Here’s the link to the new CLSMF Facebook page. 

Here’s the link to our Twitter feed. 

For emergency rental assistance, visit this page. 

Para español, haga clic aquí. 

Para português, clique aqui.

 

 

COMMON LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO COVID-19

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, protections were put in place so that Medicaid recipients kept coverage even if they no longer qualified. This was done so people had access to COVID-19 testing and treatment. These special protections are coming to an end. 

See our page on “Medicaid Unwinding” for more information. 

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, states and the federal government have expanded protections to tenants facing eviction and homeowners facing foreclosure.

Tenants who are facing evictions based on non-payment of rent are currently being afforded additional protections than tenants that are facing evictions for reasons unrelated to payment of rent.

Some local Circuits and Counties are offering broader protections to all tenants and occupants regardless of the grounds for removal. See the sections below for more details.

Follow this link for information on the CDC Eviction Moratorium.

Circuit Information Links:

 

Your mortgage relief options depend on who owns or backs your mortgage, the programs they offer, and the eligibility criteria they set.

A NCLC Digital Library article explains protections for homeowners having difficulty making mortgage payments—both those covered by the CARES Act and the millions who are not. The article includes:

 *If you have questions about the meaning of these orders, please contact the CLSMF HELPline or apply for services online.* 

Forbearance Flow Chart 04.28.2020

Forbearance Flow Chart SPANISH 04.29.2020

During this time, some parents may find it challenging to continue to perform their duties and responsibilities of co-parenting in compliance with court orders. Parents are expected to follow and honor the time-sharing schedule in place and are prohibited from unreasonably restricting the other parent from access to a child. The courts may order sanctions against a non-compliant party but immediate relief from the courts will only be available under circumstances where there could be harm to the child. 

Check with your Circuit Court for the latest administrative orders:

(As of 7/07/20)

*If you have questions about the meaning of these orders, please contact the CLSMF HELPline or apply for services online.*

Click on the image below to see the full document. 

 

 

COVIDResources_FL_Elder 

 

Florida Community Development Legal Project:

Covid-19 Resources

 

Links to School Districts Reopening Plans 20200724

Click on the image for access to the links.

Principal and interest payments on federally held student loans are automatically suspended through September 30, 2021. For more information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, click here.

 

COVID-19 RELATED RESOURCES

You may be eligible to receive economic impact payment from the IRS.

The Internal Revenue Service began delivery of the third round of Economic Impact Payments authorized by Congress in the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021. Those eligible will automatically receive an Economic Impact Payment of up to $1,400 for individuals or $2,800 for married couples, plus $1,400 for each dependent. Click on this link to learn more.

For information on the first and second stimulus payments, please follow this link:

A guide to COVID-19 economic stimulus relief.

See CFPB’s Guide to second round of COVID-19 (stimulus) Economic Impact Payments

If you have lost your job due to layoff caused by Coronavirus, visit the Healthcare Marketplace to figure out if you might be eligible to enroll in a new health insurance plan. 

Benefits.gov is an online resource to help you find federal benefits you may be eligible for in the United States. 

*Additional local resources may be available. Please check with your local government websites.*

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COVID-19 INFORMATION 

For the most up-to-date information, go to:  www.FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19. 

The Florida Dept. of Health’s COVID-19 Call Center is 1 (866) 779-6121 and is open 24/7 or you can email [email protected]  with your questions. 

  • Florida Department of Health Orange County COVID-19 Information 
  • In support of the state’s efforts, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) has established a Coronavirus Call Center phone number for Orange County, Florida residents. The phone number is 407-723-5004. 
  • The DOH-Orange Call Center is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Centers for Disease Control:  https://bit.ly/2W4YLEt
World Health Organization:  https://bit.ly/2WfdCMq
City of Orlando: Orlando.gov/covid19
Florida Bar https://www.floridabar.org/news/releases/covid19/  

Visit the Food and Drug Administration website for the most up to date details about COVID-19 in the U.S. 

If you are having trouble paying your bills, it’s important to reach out to your lender or creditor. Many lenders and creditors have announced proactive measures to help borrowers impacted by COVID-19. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has forbearance and credit reporting requirements that may apply to your situation.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers helpful information on their site –

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/protecting-your-credit-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

If you made accommodations with your lenders or creditors due to financial hardships related to coronavirus, follow these steps to ensure that your credit reports and scores are not negatively impacted. For more information on how to request and review your credit reports, dispute suspected errors, and other common credit questions and issues, visit https://www.consumerfinance.gov/credit.

For information on how to protect and manage your finances during the national coronavirus emergency, visit https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/

 

 

If you and your family have lost your health insurance as a result of job loss, you may be able to sign up for a new policy through the Healthcare.gov (Obamacare) website. 

You have 60 days to apply after loss of coverage. If you would like assistance finding and applying for health insurance, visit the Covering Central Florida website.

See the top section of this web page for downloadable brochures about this topic in English and Spanish.

COURTS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICE INFORMATION

Courthouses and government offices across the state are minimizing operations to reduce the impact and spread of COVID-19. Public access is very limited and some proceedings may have been suspended or postponed.

Due to the fast-changing situation, we encourage you to access updated information about available services, administrative and court proceedings by contacting or visiting the websites for your local Clerk of Court or other offices.

During the emergency, the Florida Supreme Court will be issuing statewide emergency orders setting the larger framework for the statewide emergency response.

Keep in mind that these statewide orders will be supplemented by local orders issued by authorities in each of the counties and in each of the appeals courts. For information on these more specific local orders, please check the links listed on the tabs below for each circuit and county.

Clerk of Court Offices: Check for available services (filing documents, payments, etc.) and updates from your local Clerk of Courts Office by calling or checking their website before showing up in person.

If you have questions about the meaning of these orders, please contact the CLSMF HELPline or apply for services online.

    • Evictions and Foreclosures (see tabs below for more info)
    • Parenting during COVID-19 (see tabs below for more info)

If you have questions about the meaning of these orders, please contact the CLSMF HELPline or apply for services online.

COVID-19 Admin Orders *Check Seventh Circuit website for updated orders

    • Evictions and Foreclosures (see tabs below for more info)
    • Parenting during COVID-19 (see tabs below for more info)

If you have questions about the meaning of these orders, please contact the CLSMF HELPline or apply for services online.

If you have questions about the meaning of these orders, please contact the CLSMF HELPline or apply for services online.

  • COVID-19 Admin Orders *Check Eighteenth Circuit website for updated orders
  • County specific Clerk of Court links:
  • Evictions and Foreclosures (see tabs below for more info)
  • Parenting during COVID-19 (see tabs below for more info)

If you have questions about the meaning of these orders, please contact the CLSMF HELPline or apply for services online.

Social Security Offices are closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can still get help by using online services or calling them.

You can do most of your business with SSA online. Before calling them, please visit their website to see a list of self-service options.

If you cannot use their online services, they may be able to help with certain critical issues by phone and mail. Please see “How will SSA help me by phone?”.

See  Social Security Administration COVID-19 page for the most updated information.

Federal courts are working with state and local health officials to gather local information about the coronavirus (COVID-19), and some have issued orders relating to court business, operating status, and public and employee safety.

View a list of links to all federal court websites and links to court orders, court operations, and other information.

See Florida Middle District website for the most updated information.

If you have questions about the meaning of these orders, please contact the CLSMF HELPline or apply for services online.

To get answers to questions about coronavirus and how VA is responding, visit their Coronavirus FAQs page or read VA’s public health response.

Informational links:

According to the FDOR website:

“To minimize exposure to COVID-19 and help protect visitors and employees, all Department of Revenue offices in Florida are temporarily closed to the public at this time. The Department offers alternative options for Child Support customers. Taxpayers should visit the General Tax Administration Program COVID-19 webpage for more information. Property taxpayers should contact their county property appraisers and tax collectors for information.”

Child Support Offsets:

The CARES Act includes direct payments to qualifying individuals. Federal law requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offset these payments when past-due child support is owed. Learn more by visiting DOR’s Economic Impact Payment Offsets page.

Property and Sales Taxes:

The Department of Revenue has issued emergency orders pertaining to property tax and sales tax due dates. Please visit the Media page for more information. For more information regarding sales tax due dates, visit the General Tax Administration Program COVID-19 webpage.

FOR ADVOCATES AND ATTORNEYS

Our volunteer attorneys are a valuable resource to help us meet our clients’ needs especially during these difficult times. We ask for your continued assistance to our community. There are several ways to participate and give of your time. Please contact a member of our Pro Bono team for more details or visit our Pro Bono informational page to sign up to serve.

Contact email: [email protected] 

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