Ownership and Residency:

• Must own and occupy the property as a primary residence as demonstrated by a homestead exemption. 
• Must be current on property taxes. 
• Eligible ownership structures include properties owned by one of more natural persons or held in a non-incorporated, revocable living trust used as the primary residence. 

• Single-family homes (attached or detached).
• Condominium units.
• One to four-unit properties where the homeowner resides in one unit.
• Manufactured or mobile homes permanently affixed to real property and taxed as real estate.
• Ineligible Properties: vacant or abandoned residences, second homes and investment properties, rental properties.

Financial Hardship:

 Must demonstrate a qualified financial hardship due to:

• Reduction or Loss of Income: Reduction of income must be at least 10%. 
• Increase in Housing Related Expenses or Medical Expenses: Documented increase in housing or medical related expenses (e.g., homeowners insurance premiums, escrow increases, mortgage payments, or medical bills.) The increase in expenses must be at least 10%. 

Documentation Flexibility:

• Acceptable hardship documentation includes a range of documents, and self-certification is allowed under specific circumstances with the potential for further verification.

Co-Owners:

• Co-owners cannot separately apply for assistance; only one application per household is permitted.

Income Verification:

• Household income must be at or below 80% of the AMI.
• Income can be verified through various documents, including tax returns, pay stubs, Social Security award letters, unemployment benefit statements, or bank statements.

Income Limits Based on Household Size

Applicants must provide the following document(s) related to their hardship:

• Valid Photo ID for all adults, age 18 and older in the household.
• Birth Certificate for all children in the household (a valid U.S. Passport, court-ordered custody paperwork, school records showing parent and child’s name, or immunization records may be substituted if a Birth Certificate is not available)
• Mortgage statement showing the balance owed, if requesting assistance with payment. 
• Homeowners/Flood insurance statement showing the balance owed, if requesting assistance with payment.
• Statement from the homeowner and condominium association showing the balance of fees due, if requesting assistance with payment. 
• Proof of all income in the household for the past 60 days. (This includes but is not limited to AFDC, Child Support, Social Security Income, Social Security Disability, VA, Pensions, unemployment, and all employment earnings).
• If self-employed or a 1099 employee, please provide three months of a profit/loss statement and the most recent IRS tax return.
• Documentation of the financial hardship:

• Reduction or Loss of Income: Documentation showing the loss of income (e.g. paystubs showing a decrease, letter from the employer, unemployment benefits letter, etc...) The reduction in income must be at least 10%.
• Increase in Housing Related Expenses or Medical Expenses: Documented increase in housing-related expenses or medical expenses  (e.g., homeowners insurance premiums, escrow increases, medical bills, etc.…) The increase in expenses must be at least 10%.

• Assistance may not exceed three months of a past due mortgage, escrow, homeowner/flood insurance, HOA or $6,000, whichever is less 
• Assistance under this program is limited to one-time per household.
• You must be able to show you can sustain payment after assistance. 

The mortgage servicer, insurance company, or homeowners association must be willing to accept payment from St. Lucie County and provide the necessary documentation needed. This is required to ensure funds are used for their intended purpose.

Funds are disbursed within 30 days of application approval to provide timely assistance.

If your application is denied, you may appeal the decision within 15 days of receiving the denial notice. Appeals are limited to one (1) time and must include additional information or clarification to support eligibility.