Visa Cards Given To County Residents Through Relief Fund

Last week, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) hosted the first two pop-up distribution events for the Anne Arundel County Excluded Worker Humanitarian Relief Fund. The first distribution was held on Thursday, August 13, in Annapolis and the second was Friday, August 14, in Glen Burnie. Sixty-six Anne Arundel County residents received $500 Visa cash cards to help cover household expenses.

Distribution locations are selected based on the zip codes of accepted applicants to ensure every accepted individual can easily pick up their card. Future pop-up distribution events will be scheduled throughout the county as more individuals qualify and cards distributed.

“We are here to support Anne Arundel County residents whose employment and income have been impacted by COVID-19,” said Kirkland J. Murray, president and CEO of AAWDC. “This is the first of many steps we are taking to help our residents get back on a path to success.”

Applications for the Anne Arundel County Excluded Humanitarian Relief Fund are still open. Unemployed Anne Arundel County residents who lost their job in 2020, were making $25 per hour or less before being laid off, and are not currently receiving unemployment insurance benefits are encouraged to apply at www.aawdc.org/relief. Residents can also call 410-424-3240 to receive a paper application if they do not have access to the online application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and AAWDC staff are working with each applicant to help as many residents qualify for assistance as possible. Decisions are made based on individual eligibility, not household income or employment status.

AAWDC received CARES Act funding from Anne Arundel County to provide $2 million in Visa cash cards to qualified residents. Applications will remain open through December or until funding is exhausted.