Message from the CFO on Protecting Consumers & First Responders During COVID-19 Response

04/08/2020

Floridians,

While we all work together to stop the threat of COVID-19 in our communities, I’m also working to provide relief to Florida families and businesses, as well as protect consumers and our first responders during this public health emergency. I want to highlight how my office is working to serve you during this challenging time.

Since February, I’ve been in constant contact with Florida’s fire service community to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to combat this crisis. We’ve also worked closely with our insurance and financial regulators to ensure they are providing support to Floridians. While the threat of COVID-19 has presented new challenges to our state, Floridians are resilient and we continue to treat this emergency like a Category 5 Hurricane. By working together, we will weather this storm.

CFO Patronis’ COVID-19 Directives and Response

  • Providing Workers’ Compensation Coverage for Front Line State Employees
    The CFO directed the Division of Risk Management to provide workers’ compensation coverage to front line state employees who are fighting COVID-19. The directive provides coverage for state officials whose responsibilities require them to interface with individuals who are potentially infected with the coronavirus.
     
  • Ensuring Firefighters Have Resources Needed to Protect Communities
    Since February, the CFO has worked with first responders statewide to ensure they were prepared for the threat of COVID-19 in Florida’s communities. The CFO continues to be in constant contact with Florida firefighters to assist with challenges they face during this public health emergency.
     
  • Partnering with Regulators to Ease Financial Burden on Florida Families
    The CFO is working closely with the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) to encourage financial institutions, mortgage lenders, and insurers to provide relief for Florida’s homeowners and businesses dealing with financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
     
  • Encouraging State Leadership to Better Understand Financial Impacts of COVID-19
    The CFO encouraged Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Senate President Bill Galvano, and Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva to convene the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) out of an abundance of caution to better understand the impacts COVID-19 will have on our state’s finances.
     
  • Directing all DFS Employees to Telework While Providing Department Services Remotely
    To protect the health and safety of Department of Financial Services (DFS) employees and customers while still providing vital department services, the CFO directed all DFS offices to close to the public and employees to telework.
     
  • Encouraging individuals & Businesses to Search for Unclaimed Property
    In March, the CFO’s Division of Unclaimed Property posted the second-highest monthly amount of unclaimed funds ever recovered and returned to residents and businesses in the program’s 59-year history, returning $38.4 million to Floridians, including $8.1 million to small businesses. Individuals and businesses can search for unclaimed property now at FLTreasureHunt.gov. 
     
  • Warning Consumers of Fraud & Scams Associated with COVID-19
    With recent reports from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of scam tactics associated with the coronavirus, the CFO urged Floridians to stay alert when receiving offers for products and services related to this public health emergency, as they may be fraudulent.
     
  • Urging Travel Insurance Companies & Agents to Pay Claims Promptly
    The CFO sent a letter to travel insurers and travel insurance agents statewide encouraging them to pay claims quickly in the wake of coronavirus travel cancellations. The CFO’s Division of Agent and Agency Services licenses and regulates Florida travel agents throughout the state.

Our DFS staff are standing by remotely to serve you. Call 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236) for assistance and visit MyFloridaCFO.com/coronavirus/ for important resources for individuals and businesses.

Stay safe, stay home, and god bless.

Sincerely,