COVID-19 Resources

Updated 07/10/2020


If there is a resource that you would like to have added to this list, please contact us at MyCU@eefcfcu.org or 412-243-7574

PITTSBURGH MUTUAL AID & NEIGHBORHOOD-SPECIFIC INFO

INCOME ASSISTANCE, LOANS, GRANTS, ETC

Loans

Grants & Funds:

  • https://www.bridgewaycapital.org/smallbusinessassistancegrants/ COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance grant program.

  • ROC - Restaurant Workers! - check here for a live list with tons of support resources

  • Pittsburgh Virtual Tip Jar - a new independent project hosted on Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Ethics and Policy website — is aiming to alleviate some of that financial stress on SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS that rely on tips. Get on the list and/or give someone a tip here

  • Modest Needs is offering donations to HOURLY WORKERS who won't get paid during the COVID-19 outbreak. (https://www.modestneeds.org)

  • Emergency Funds for people who work as BARTENDERS here.

  • Greater PGH Restaurant Workers emergency fund

  • ONE FAIR WAGE - Emergency Coronavirus Fund for TIPPED EMPLOYEES & WAGE WORKERS

  • Gig Workers Collective - National & State resources here

  • Pittsburgh Stage Employee Bailout Fund

  • Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQIA+ BIPOC (no location restriction. Donate or apply for funds.)

  • Mutual Aid Fund for [Pittsburgh] LGBTQIA+ (from SisTersPGH) - donate and/or get info about applying for funds

  • Pittsburgh Artist Emergency Fund

  • Pittsburgh Mutual Aid:

    • Pittsburgh Mutual Aid is a collective of organizers and individuals who are coming together to assist the community during the COVID-19 crisis through providing economic relief. This fund aims to deliver at least $5k a week to those in Pittsburgh who are in need because they have lost income due to the COVID-19 crisis. For now, we hope to give amounts that are $250 or less.

    • Please donate and share our campaign so we can once again prove that Pittsburgh is a city of bridges which we cross to help and support each other.

    • We are doing our absolute best to prioritize people who may be more vulnerable than ever during this crisis, and people in communities who systematically have less access to social capital, family wealth, new job opportunities and other forms of support. This includes (but is not limited to) people over the age of 60, immunocompromised people, disabled people, BIPOC, and any people who are at risk of becoming unhoused or food insecure due to COVID-19.

    • We want to help as many people as possible and will be distributing funds based on the emergency nature of the request. If we don't have cash funds available for your request, we will contact you and do our best to connect you with resources and services that can help.

    • To apply for aid, please fill out the form.

    • Please note that funds will not be shared until raised.

Governmental Assistance:

INFORMATION FOR PENNSYLVANIA EMPLOYEES IMPACTED BY COVID-19

https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/covid19.aspx


CARES Act

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, is a law to help people hurt financially by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. CARES assistance is now available in Pennsylvania for rent relief and mortgage relief.

https://www.phfa.org/pacares/


TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) here

Unemployment

    • File an initial claim here. UPDATE 03/07/20:

    • FYI: Please note that the UC waiting week has been suspended. Eligible claimants may receive benefits for the first week that they are unemployed.

    • The fast way to apply is online: https://www.paclaims.pa.gov/UCEN/

    • Please be patient -- due to high demand, our UC system may experience intermittent slowness. Our UC team is working hard to process your claims.

    • For more information, visit http://uc.pa.gov/

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

To qualify for DUA you must meet both of the conditions below:

1) Your job must have been lost or interrupted due to a presidentially declared disaster, and

2) You must not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.

Please see website for additional information on eligibility & applying for assistance


Workers Compensation

If you’re exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace, we have important guidance on filing PA Workers’ Compensation claims. Learn more here.

PROTECTION FROM PRICE-GOUGING:

On Thursday, the Justice Department announced it is activating a central fraud hotline (1-866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov) and has ordered U.S. attorneys across the nation to appoint special coronavirus fraud coordinators


UTILITIES, RENT, ETC


  • low-to-moderate-income Pittsburghers experiencing economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to apply for utility and mortgage payment assistance.

  • the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh will operate a URA Housing Opportunity Fund-sponsored rental assistance program. For information, City of Pittsburgh residents can call the Urban League at 412-227-4164. http://ulpgh.org/

  • PSWA has suspended utility shut-offs

  • Duquesne Light (CLD) has ceased shut-offs

  • FirstEnergy - Temporarily suspend shutoffs and offer payment options to help ease hardships

  • Pennsylvania American Water - Placed a moratorium and discontinued service shutoffs to keep customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the utility is beginning the restoration of service to previously shut-off customers

  • UPDATE! All evictions have been suspended for Allegheny County. there is an open letter to the City & County to put a moratorium on all evictions and all utility shut-offs during the pandemic. Consider asking your organization to sign on to the letter.

  • Rental Assistance info here

  • Heating Assistance LIHEAP info here

    • anyone who receives LIHEAP also qualifies to have a broken heating system (furnace, boiler, gas line, etc) repaired or replaced at no cost to them. They can request a referral by calling the department of human services at 412-562-0330

  • COMCAST HAS EXPANDED ITS INTERNET TO HOMES THAT CANNOT AFFORD IT

    • Go to: www.internetessentials.com Or call 1-855-846-8376

    • Offering new, low-income Internet Essentials customers two months of free internet and raising the speed of that program’s service. Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available for free to all users and data plans will be paused for 60 days, giving customers unlimited data for no additional charge. Additionally, the company will not disconnect a customer’s internet service during this period or assess late fees if they contact the company regarding their inability to pay

FOOD RESOURCES

https://www.seriouseats.com/2020/03/food-safety-and-coronavirus-a-comprehensive-guide.html

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2013/06/27/you-toss-food-wait-check-it-out

  • Anyone who is currently out of work due to COVID-19 and currently has NO income is eligible for SFPP and TEFAP using this self-declaration of need form. On the self-declaration of need form, they can simply circle $0 as they have no income. However, they should be advised that if/when their income resumes, they would need to fill out new paperwork and declare that if they intend to continue to obtain food through these programs.

  • Similarly, anyone who has lost hours, etc. because of COVID-19 and has a reduced income may be eligible for SFPP and TEFAP. On the self-declaration of need form, they should circle the income level that currently reflects their new (and potentially temporary) circumstances. As noted above, once their income picks back up, they would need to fill out new paperwork and declare that if they intend to continue to obtain food through these programs.

  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank 412-460-FOOD (3663)

  • East End Cooperative Hunger Services (http://www.eecm.org/eecm-services/hunger-services/)

  • Apply for Food Stamps (SNAP) & get answers about eligibility

    • with Just Harvest How to Apply for Food Stamps

    • Just Harvest is continuing to provide help with SNAP/food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF/cash assistance applications as well as case advocacy and eligibility screenings. Leave your name and contact info and the best time to reach you Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at (412) 431-8960 x602 or by filling out the form on this page.

  • Southwest PA Meals On Wheels - home meal delivery for people aged 60+ or those of any age that are younger if recovering from injury, illness, or surgery

  • South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) - Pantry open regular hours; distributing pre-packed boxes of groceries. See site for program updates, or for emergency food, please contact Molly Penderville at (412) 854-9120 ext. 108 or mpatterson@shimcares.org

  • JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry - open and continuing to serve 15217 and families that eat Kosher outside the area code. Individuals receive pre-bagged foods when they come to the pantry. Contact 412-421-2708 for more information

    • The JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry's critical needs social workers are available to help residents in the Greater Pittsburgh area to resources and support. Contact 412-422-7200 to connect with a social worker

  • Guide to Edible Wild Plants - free download, streaming

  • Check in the “CHILDREN & FAMILIES” section for more info about food resources specifically for children while out of school