Florida families to receive payments of $450 per child ‘to offset costs of inflation’

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Thousands of Florida families will receive one-time checks for $450 per child starting this week to offset the costs of inflation, according to state officials.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis said he set aside $35.5 million of COVID-19 relief funds to send out the checks. 
• About 59,000 families will receive at least one check and there’s no application required.

Thousands of low-income Florida families are expected to receive relief checks to help offset inflation costs.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration on Thursday announced he’s reallocating some COVID-19 relief funds and sending $450 a child directly to struggling families in the state.

“This one-time payment assists families who are being affected by rising inflation and preparing to send their children back-to-school,” Laura Walthall, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Children and Families, said in a statement on Thursday

To fund the checks, the governor has set aside $35.5 million from the $1 billion the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act, according to an announcement from Casey DeSantis, Florida’s first lady.

Who Is Eligible for the $450 per Child Florida Check

Eligible recipients include foster parents, relative and nonrelative caregivers, and families receiving funds from the Florida Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program or Guardianship Assistance Program, Walthall said.

The Florida Department of Children and Families said it expected about 59,000 families to receive at least one check. Like other COVID-19 relief funds, there’s no application required.

DeSantis’ spokesperson shared a photo of the letter, saying, “These letters are real.”

Gov. DeSantis’ letter reads:

“As a father of three young children, I know that getting ready for a new school year can be both exciting and stressful. To offset the costs of rising inflation, especially with a new school year approaching, the State of Florida is giving you $450 for each child in your care. This one-time payment can be used for anything from buying diapers to fueling at the pump. I also want to make sure you are aware of our state’s ‘Back-to-School’ sales-tax holiday, which will take place from July 25 to August 7, to help you get the supplies you need to prepare for the upcoming school year. Supplies that will be tax-free during this time include clothing, bags, computers, shoes and other school supplies.

Please accept this payment as a form of gratitude and acknowledgment for all that you do to help nurture Florida’s future. God bless you, and God bless the great state of Florida.”

This is the DCF hotline that was set up for those who have inquiries: 850-300-4323.

Source: Newsweek