Miami-Dade County to provide financial assistance through the CARES Act for to taxicab, jitney, and limousine drivers

Miami-Dade County taxicab, jitney, and limousine drivers with a valid chauffeur’s registration as of March 1, 2020 who have been impacted by novel coronavirus COVID-19 may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Emergency Fund Program (EFP). The total funds available through this program is $10 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act.  

The Miami-Dade County Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) has started accepting online applications for the Emergency Fund Program. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2020.

The goal of the program is to provide financial assistance to local taxicab, jitney and limousine drivers impacted by COVID-19. Priority will be given to licensed for-hire drivers who have not been approved or received funds from any institution under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPP) or other federal or state assisted business loan program and have a single establishment.

The $10 million from the program will be distributed based on individual percentages of eligible costs incurred, with a maximum award of $2,800 per driver.

For taxicab, jitney, and limousine drivers, these funds can provide relief for COVID-19 impacts by covering eligible expenses in four categories: (1) reimbursable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) costs; (2) reimbursable vehicle operation expenses; (3) reimbursable business expenses needed to keep the business operational; and (4) reimbursable rent or mortgage.  These eligible costs must occur between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020 and all fund allocations will need to be substantiated by documentation provided by the applicant.

The application is available in English, Spanish, and Creole. For questions regarding the EFP or the application process, please contact the Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division at [email protected].

For more on DTPW services, visit miamidade.gov/transit or download the GO Miami-Dade Transit app.

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