Media Contact:
Luis Espinoza
[email protected]

Miami-Dade County makes important changes to the financial assistance program for taxicab, jitney, and limousine drivers

MIAMI ( October 28, 2020 )

The application period for the Emergency Fund Program (EFP) for taxicab, jitney, and limousine drivers has been extended until November 15. In addition, there have been some changes to the program that will benefit eligible drivers. These changes include:

  • Each licensed taxicab, jitney, and limousine driver who submits a new application or has already applied will receive a $550 basic needs grant.
  • The maximum amount of the grant that a qualified driver can receive has been increased from $2,800 to $5,000.

The program’s main goal is to provide financial assistance to Miami-Dade County licensed taxicab, jitney, and limousine drivers with a valid chauffeur’s registration as of March 1, 2020 who may have been impacted by COVID-19.

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 have occurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020, and all fund allocations will need to be substantiated by documentation provided by the applicant.

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 program is administrated by Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW).

Staff from DTPW’s Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division (PTRD) is contacting drivers who have already applied to determine eligibility for the maximum financial assistance amount of $5,000. Applicants will be given the opportunity to submit additional documentation prior to the program’s deadline of November 15.

Documents required to qualify for the EFP include proof of expenses, bank statements, tax returns, and a valid chauffeur’s registration as of March 1, 2020.

Other proof of expenses and/or loss of income that will be accepted for reimbursement in lieu of bank statements and tax returns include:  

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Proof of purchase via a receipt, or paid invoice for PPE and other associated expenses necessary to comply with CDC guidelines or Miami-Dade County COVID-19 safety orders.
  • Vehicle operation expenses: Insurance, maintenance, rent or vehicle lease payments; fuel payments, or other vehicle business-related costs documented with a paid invoice or receipt.
  • Mortgage or rent expenses: Proof of payment via a receipt or cancelled check; if behind on payments, a notarized letter from landlord or lender stating the number of months behind or in default. Specific dates in default or behind need to be included in the notarized letter.
  • Other expenses: Utility bills, license and inspection fees, insurance, and other expenses needed to keep the business operational and/or to maintain local, state, and/or safety federal requirements. A proof of payment via receipt, paid invoice, or cancelled check is required.

Note: Taxicab drivers may provide individual trip logs from taxicab dispatching/credit card companies during the same period in 2019 and 2020 to show loss of income from year to year.

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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