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<p><strong>By Mike McCombs</strong></p>
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<p>S.C. Housing’s SC Stay Plus assistance program is still taking applications for Beaufort County renters struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. And now those residents can get in-person support by submitting their application at the Beaufort Branch Library through Monday, Aug. 21.</p>
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<p>There will be someone to assist applicants from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.</p>
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<p>Residents should go to the meeting room on the first floor for assistance.</p>
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<p>The CDC extended the eviction moratorium at the beginning of August for counties with “high and substantial” COVID transmission. This extension covers all of South Carolina.</p>
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<p>SC Stay Plus provides assistance for renters in three key ways:</p>
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<ol><li>SC Stay Plus will pay up to 12 months of back rent brought on by COVID-19-related financial instability. The money is paid directly to the landlord.</li><li>SC Stay Plus will offer up to three additional months of future rental assistance for those at risk of homelessness or eviction.</li><li>SC Stay Plus will offer utility assistance paid directly to the utility companies for past-due utility and energy costs.</li></ol>
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<p>Applicants are already qualified if they are collecting SNAP, WIC, unemployment benefits or Medicaid. There is no citizenship requirement, and there doesn’t have to be a formal lease. Renters must simply show they are consistently trying to pay rent.</p>
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<p>The SC Stay Plus application can accessed online at SCHousing.com/Home/SC-Stay-Plus. For more information, call 803-336-3420, 1-800-476-0412 or email scstayplus@schousing.com.</p>
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<p><em>Mike McCombs is the editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.</em></p>
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