Environmental Services:  Hardship Exemptions

Financial Hardship – Clay County Ordinance 93-19 allows a method of obtaining relief from charges assessed for solid waste management for Clay County residents in unincorporated areas who are economically disadvantaged and unable to pay the charged assessed without experiencing additional direct or indirect hardship or threat of property loss. Eligible residents are:

1.     Elderly or disabled whose income does not exceed 150% of current Federal poverty guidelines (adjusted for family size);

2.     Other residents whose income does not exceed 125% of Federal poverty guidelines;

3.     Other residents whose income exceeds the percent limitations but have special circumstances.

An owner of residential property who meets poverty level income and asset guidelines utilized by the County in the administration of its social service program will be eligible to receive payment of the solid waste disposal assessment. Applicants for this hardship assistance shall provide written documentation satisfactory to the County in order to qualify for such assistance.

Any request for hardship assistance shall be filed with the County before the end of the current fiscal year (September 30). Failure to file such request within the time permitted shall constitute a waiver of such right.

Please contact Clay County Environmental Services at (904) 284/269-6374, (904) 533-2111 Ext. 6374, or 
(352) 473-3711 Ext. 6374

Disabled Veterans – The following persons, who own property that is used as a homestead, may receive an exemption from the solid waste disposal assessment:

1.     A veteran who was honorably discharged with a service connected total and permanent disability; or

2.     A spouse of a deceased veteran who was honorably discharged with a service connected total and permanent disability; or

3.     The surviving spouse of a veteran who died from service connected causes while on active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Any veteran or spouse who qualifies for the exemption as detailed above shall only be entitled to one exemption for one homestead property.

Applications for this exemption shall be filed in writing to the County before the end of the fiscal year (September 30) for whom the exemption is sought. Failure to file an application for an exemption within the time permitted shall constitute a waiver of such right for the applicable fiscal year.

Each year, solid waste disposal assessment exemption renewal certification forms will be mailed to all persons who received the exemption during the previous fiscal year. These forms must be returned in order for persons to be qualified for exemption.

To obtain the application, please contact Clay County Environmental Services at:

(904) 284/269-6374, (904) 533-2111 Ext. 6374, or (352) 473-3711 Ext. 6374