Commissioners adopted the Collin Cares recovery plan May 11 with the goal of assisting families and individuals impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a May 13 news release.
With the money in the recovery plan, the county will provide financial aid for housing, utilities and groceries. The recovery plan will also assist with funding for COVID-19 testing, personal protective equipment and Collin County cities’ COVID-19 costs and recovery efforts, according to the news release.
Funding for the program comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which sent more than $171 million in federal aid to Collin County. The funding will help providerelief for family and government costs incurred from March 1 through the end of the year, according to the news release.
Specifically, the Collin Cares plan is providing:
- $3 million for COVID-19 testing for uninsured individuals;
- $5 million for personal protective equipment;
- $45 million for housing (rent and mortgage), utilities and food assistance;
- $5 million to help restock local food pantries;
- $50 million for cities' COVID-19 costs and recovery efforts; and
- $40 million for county COVID-19 costs.
Commissioners have also reserved another $23 million for future costs, according to the news release.
Through Collin Cares, eligible households will each receive up to $2,500 in monthly financial assistance for a maximum of four months, according to the news release.
Dallas residents who live in Collin County must apply for assistance through the city of Dallas, which has also received relief funds under the CARES Act.
Officials are also finalizing expanded COVID-19 testing options in the county.
More program details will be released in the near future with assistance available retroactive to March 1, according to the news release. Collin Cares program details will be shared at www.collincountytx.gov as they become available.
