After rush of applicants, United Way closes pandemic fund for now

Demand for a cash assistance program operated by United Way of Miami-Dade quickly hit capacity, prompting the nonprofit to temporarily close applications.

The Pandemic Assistance Program will distribute $20 million in federal CARES Act funds to county residents impacted by COVID-19. Five days after the application period opened on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 9,000 applications had already flooded in.

“If’ there’s people who don’t meet criteria out of the first batch of applicants, the application will absolutely be reopened,” said Cristina Blanco, chief communications officer at United Way of Miami-Dade.

For now, Blanco recommends that applicants continue to check in online.

The program has already begun to distribute funds. Households of up to two people may be eligible for $1,000, while those with three or more can receive $2,000. The applications are vetted by the United Way Center for Financial Stability.

Blanco said the nonprofit was prepared for the onslaught of applicants. A similar program launched in mid-March hit capacity within 100 hours. The nonprofit’s Miami Pandemic Response fund allocated more than $3.6 million to individuals and local businesses impacted by the virus.

This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 9:29 AM.