Agenda

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County Administrator's Report 12. 3.

BCC Regular Meeting

Budget & Finance Consent

Meeting Date:	04/09/2015
Issue: Low Income Direct Emergency Assistance Program (LIDEAP)
From:	Marilyn D. Wesley
Department:	Community Affairs
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning Implementation of the Emergency Low Income Direct Emergency Assistance Program - Marilyn D. Wesley, Community Affairs Department Director

That the Board authorize the Community Affairs Department/Human Assistance Division to begin implementation of the Emergency Low Income Direct Emergency Assistance Program (LIDEAP), providing emergency assistance for qualified individuals and households on their utilities/fuel, rent/mortgage, food, and medication needs.

[Funding Source: Fund 102, Economic Development, Cost Center 360704]

BACKGROUND:

The Direct Emergency Assistance Program is designed to assist the emergency needs of residents of Escambia County by providing limited one-time financial assistance in crisis situations when no other resource is available. This program is a temporary emergency assistance and is not on-going public assistance. It will be a program of last resort for a one-time event to an individual or household during the existence of the program. The program will have ceiling limits up to $500 for utilities, food, and medications; and up to $700 for rent/mortgage assistance. The level of assistance will be determined based on need and documentation of the need.

The Board approved the concept of the program at the December 11, 2014 meeting with direction to bring back a plan of implementation. It has been determined this program can be administered within the Department of Community Affairs/Human Assistance Division eliminating an administrative cost for program implementation if administered by an outside agency. All funds allocated for this program can be spent on direct needs of County residents.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

A total of $98,062.21 has been approved by the Board at the December 11, 2014 meeting to implement this assistance program for County residents. Funds are allocated in the Economic Development Fund (102), Cost Center 360704.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

N/A

PERSONNEL:

The current staff within the Community Affairs Department will be implementing and administering the program for qualified individuals and households. All qualifying individuals/households shall not exceed the 200% federal poverty guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

The implementation date of this program can begin on Monday, April 13, 2015. The program application, process, and policy is complete. The application process has been vetted similar to other agencies who provide assistance to residents (Community Action Agency, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, etc.) to ensure that due diligence will be done by staff prior to approvals of any assistance provided.

Attachments
20141211BCC LIDEAP
2015 Federal Poverty Guidelines
LIDEAP Packet