Food service workers and other affected Wayne County residents eligible for $500 cash bonus

DETROIT-Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans announced a new program on Thursday to provide a one-time $500 cash bonus to food service workers and others impacted by COVID-19 public health orders that shut down or reduced services at many businesses.

"The public health orders were a difficult but necessary step to keep our communities healthy," said Executive Evans. "However, we know many Wayne County families are hurting. It's critical we help to ease the financial burden for those affected. This effort empowers displaced workers with direct support to spend however they need."

The program, dubbed "Wayne County Cares," will provide eligible Wayne County residents with a $500 one-time, no-strings payment delivered on a cash card. Wayne County Cares is funded through federal CARES Act aid to Wayne County. Qualified applicants must work in food service or at a fitness or entertainment venue, such as a bowling alley, a bar or movie theater, and meet certain income limits.

For more information about Wayne County Cares or to apply, visit www.WayneCounty.com.

"Wayne County Cares is designed to help those who need it the most," said Evans. "By using cash cards we can deliver much-needed relief to workers without logistical barriers or unnecessary overhead. Our goal is to deliver as much support as possible as quickly as possible."

The Wayne County Economic Development Department has budgeted $4 million for Wayne County Cares to provide up to 8,000 cash cards to qualified workers. Applicants must be Wayne County residents and can apply online at www.WayneCounty.com. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Distribution of cash cards to qualified applicants will take place before the end of December.

"The pandemic has been a challenge unlike anything we've experienced in our lifetime," said Evans. "Our goal is to ensure Wayne County residents and businesses have the support they need to safely get through these difficult times. We are all in this fight together.

"I also want to thank our Wayne County Commissioners for their continued support of these important programs to help Wayne County businesses and employees," Evans added.

In addition to the Wayne County Cares program, the Evans Administration has devoted resources to supporting local small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic and helping them reopen safely to protect jobs and serve our communities, including:

· $70 million in grants to local small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

· Grants to more than 2,500 minority-owned businesses.

· Awards to nearly 2,000 women-owned businesses.

· Support to 137 veteran-owned businesses.

In addition, the County has delivered 4,000 personal protection equipment kits to small businesses to ensure a safer environment for workers and customers. The County also reduced the cost of its HealthChoice insurance program for small businesses, so more workers and their families have access to affordable health care.

MORE INFORMATION: https://youtu.be/pXLFUnpzfVw

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