Tallahassee, FL -- From February 10 through February 16, OUR Florida processed 7,779 applications and distributed more than $54.5 million in relief to families behind on rent and utilities payments. Total relief distributed through OUR Florida to date surpasses $968 million, which represents a nearly 6% increase from just last week. In total, 180,216 households across Florida have benefited from the program. 

To increase distribution, OUR Florida has added team members and made system improvements, allowing the OUR Florida team to process applications in 20 days or less. If an individual has applied for OUR Florida relief and has not received an update from the program in 20 days, please consider the following resources available: 

1. Visit a Location. There are 16 offices located throughout Florida where OUR Florida case managers can assist with the application process and troubleshoot issues. Make an appointment online to schedule your visit: https://www.ourflorida.com/contact/
2. Call on the Weekends. To reach an OUR Florida representative by phone, call 1-833-493-0594, seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. The shortest wait times to reach the call center are Saturdays and Sundays. 
3. File a Complaint. The OUR Florida Program has a team dedicated to resolving complaints in a manner that is both sensitive to the complainant's concerns and to achieve a fair result. To file a complaint online, visit: https://www.ourflorida.com/applicant-assistance/file-a-complaint/

“Working with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), the OUR Florida team has delivered meaningful relief to more than 180,000 families throughout Florida,” said Mark Misczak, COO of Tidal Basin Group, which is a contractor supporting program delivery for OUR Florida. “The team is working hard to process applications and ensure that eligible Floridians get the relief they need.”

OUR Florida provides Opportunities for Utilities and Rental assistance to Florida families and businesses. Families who receive rent and utilities payments through OUR Florida can focus on getting back on track. Property owners who receive relief on behalf of their tenants are able to recover their losses.

Floridians who rent the home, apartment, or other dwelling where they live can apply for relief through OUR Florida. To be eligible for benefits, renters must be low income or unemployed, experienced a loss of income or financial hardship during the last year, and behind on rent or utility payments, or at risk of falling behind.

DCF announced earlier this month that Florida received an additional $740.4 million in federal funding to continue to operate the OUR Florida emergency rental assistance program.

To learn more, visit OURFlorida.com