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Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
This program stopped accepting applications as of 5 p.m. on 7/13/2022.
Seminole County has been awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury intended to provide mortgage assistance to eligible households negatively impacted due to COVID-19, and the resulting economic environment. Funds shall be used to cover the financial obligation of mortgage and/or utilities.
- The ARPA program assists low- to moderate-income households.
- This program includes households within unincorporated areas of Seminole County, the City of Altamonte Springs, and the City of Sanford.
If you wish to apply for funding after the closing of the EMAP program, there is a program available through the state you may qualify for. Click here to be directed to the state's website for more details.
Where do you reside?
General Information
Step 1: Check for Eligibility
Read the Frequently Asked Questions and review all required documents and eligibility criteria to ensure you qualify for this program. Do not start the application if you do not have all your required documents.
Step 2:Complete the Application
Complete the online application form through the Portal. Applicants are required to affirm and upload relevant documents to be considered for Seminole County’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA) Program.
Step 3:Application Review
Seminole County Government will evaluate the applicant’s documents for eligibility. Applications will be automatically rejected if documents are missing, falsified or illegible.
Step 4:Notice to Applicant
Applicants will be notified of their status once their application has been reviewed.
Step 5:Processing and Distribution
Accepted applications will be processed for direct payment via check through the mail to the vendor.Step 1: Check for Eligibility
Read the Frequently Asked Questions and review all required documents and eligibility criteria to ensure you qualify for this program. Do not start the application if you do not have all your required documents.
Step 2:Complete the Application
Complete the online application form through the Portal. Applicants are required to affirm and upload relevant documents to be considered for Seminole County’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA) Program.
Step 3:Application Review
Seminole County Government will evaluate the applicant’s documents for eligibility. Applications will be automatically rejected if documents are missing, falsified or illegible.
Step 4:Notice to Applicant
Applicants will be notified of their status once their application has been reviewed.
Step 5:Processing and Distribution
Accepted applications will be processed for direct payment via check through the mail to the vendor.
What is an eligible household?
- For American Rescue Plan Act:
- Be an Unincorporated Seminole County resident, City of Altamonte Springs resident, or City of Sanford resident;
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
- Be a household with low to moderate income (at or below 300% FPL);
- Have experienced a financial hardship as a direct result of or during the COVID-19 pandemic (in 2021 or 2022);
- Be currently responsible for paying mortgage on your primary residence;
- Must have homestead exemption on property assistance is being requested for;
- Be currently responsible for paying utilities for your primary residence; and
- Be at risk of housing instability or homelessness.
HOW WILL APPLICATIONS BE PROCESSED?
Applications will be processed on a first come, first completed and eligible basis. Payments will be made based on availability.
HOW CAN I RECEIVE UPDATES ABOUT THE SEMINOLE COUNTY EMERGENCY MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT?
Information regarding the application process will be on the Seminole County website and County social media platforms.
HOW MUCH CAN AN INDIVIDUAL RECEIVE IN GRANT FUNDS?
Assistance can be provided for 12 months of past due, unpaid mortgage and utilities (mortgage and utilities due prior to April 2020 are not eligible for assistance).
WHAT ARE ELIGIBLE EXPENSES FOR THIS GRANT?
This assistance is only available to Seminole County residents who OWN a unit in Seminole County and occupy as their primary residence. This program is not open to renters.
- Mortgage assistance; and/or
- Utility Assistance (water, electric, gas for residence).
CAN I APPLY FOR THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT IF I HAVE I RECEIVED PREVIOUS ASSISTANCE FROM SEMINOLE COUNTY?
Individuals who have received funds from Seminole County Community Services or through the online portal that were specific to a COVID-19 financial hardship in 2021 are not eligible for this program.
WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL BE NEEDED TO APPLY FOR THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT?
Please refer to the "Where Do You Reside?" section above.
IF APPROVED, HOW DO I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?
Funds will be distributed directly to your mortgage and/or utility company(ies).
WHAT IF MY APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE?
Applications may be delayed or rejected if documents are missing, falsified or illegible.
DO I HAVE TO PAY THE MONEY BACK?
No. These are grant programs; not loans.
IF MY APPLICATION IS APPROVED, WILL I GET A NOTIFICATION?
Yes. You will receive an email with the status of your application. To check the status of your application, log into the application portal.
WHAT IS AN ELIGIBLE HOME?
- For the American Rescue Plan Act:
- Be a resident ; of ; unincorporated Seminole County, a resident of the City of Altamonte Springs, or a resident of the City of Sanford;
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
- Be a low- to moderate-income household (at or below 300% of the FPL);
- Have experienced financial hardship as a direct result of or during the COVID-19 pandemic (in 2021 or 2022);
- Be currently responsible for paying the mortgage on your primary residence;
- You must have a homestead exemption on the property for which you are requesting assistance;
- Be currently responsible for paying utilities for your primary residence;
- Being at risk of housing instability or homelessness.
HOW WILL APPLICATIONS BE PROCESSED?
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Payments will be based on availability.
How can I receive updates on the Seminole County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program and the American Rescue Plan Act?
Information about the application process will be available on the Seminole County website and the county's social media platforms.
HOW MUCH CAN A PERSON RECEIVE IN GRANT FUNDS?
Assistance may be provided for 12 months of past-due and unpaid mortgage and utility bills (mortgage and utility bills due before April 2020 are not eligible for assistance).
WHAT EXPENSES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS GRANT?
This assistance is only available to Seminole County residents who own a unit in Seminole County and occupy it as their primary residence. This program is not open to renters.
- mortgage assistance; and/or
- Utility assistance (water, electricity, gas for the residence).
CAN I APPLY FOR THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT IF I HAVE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM SEMINOLE COUNTY?
Individuals who received funds from Seminole County Community Services or through the online portal that were specific to a COVID-19 financial hardship in 2021 are not eligible for this program.
WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL BE NEEDED TO APPLY FOR THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT?
See the "Where do you live?" section above.
IF APPROVED, HOW DO I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?
Funds will be distributed directly to your mortgage and/or utility company(ies).
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE?
Applications may be delayed or rejected if documents are missing, falsified, or illegible.
DO I HAVE TO REPAY THE MONEY?
No. These are grant programs, not loans.
IF MY APPLICATION IS APPROVED, WILL I RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION?
Yes. You will receive an email with the status of your application. To check the status of your application, log in to the application portal.
WHAT IS AN ELIGIBLE HOME?
- For the American Rescue Plan Act:
- Be a resident of unincorporated Seminole County, a resident of the City of Altamonte Springs, or a resident of the City of Sanford;
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
- Be a low- to moderate-income household (at or below 300% of the FPL);
- Have experienced financial hardship as a direct result of or during the COVID-19 pandemic (in 2021 or 2022);
- Be currently responsible for paying the mortgage on your primary residence;
- You must have a homestead exemption on the property for which you are requesting assistance;
- Be currently responsible for paying utilities for your primary residence; and
- Being at risk of housing instability or homelessness.
HOW WILL APPLICATIONS BE PROCESSED?
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Payments will be based on availability.
How can I receive updates on the Seminole County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program and the American Rescue Plan Act?
Information about the application process will be available on the Seminole County website and the county's social media platforms.
HOW MUCH CAN A PERSON RECEIVE IN GRANT FUNDS?
Assistance may be provided for 12 months of past-due and unpaid mortgage and utility bills (mortgage and utility bills due before April 2020 are not eligible for assistance).
WHAT EXPENSES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS GRANT?
This assistance is only available to Seminole County residents who own a unit in Seminole County and occupy it as their primary residence. This program is not open to renters.
- mortgage assistance; and/or
- Utility assistance (water, electricity, gas for the residence).
CAN I APPLY FOR THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT IF I HAVE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM SEMINOLE COUNTY?
Individuals who received funds from Seminole County Community Services or through the online portal that were specific to a COVID-19 financial hardship in 2021 are not eligible for this program.
WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL BE NEEDED TO APPLY FOR THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT?
See the "Where do you live?" section above.
IF APPROVED, HOW DO I RECEIVE THE FUNDS?
Funds will be distributed directly to your mortgage and/or utility company(ies).
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY APPLICATION IS INCOMPLETE?
Applications may be delayed or rejected if documents are missing, falsified, or illegible.
DO I HAVE TO REPAY THE MONEY?
No. These are grant programs, not loans.
IF MY APPLICATION IS APPROVED, WILL I RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION?
You will receive an email with the status of your application. To check the status of your application, log in to the application portal.