WORK - REDUCED HOURS / TEMPORARY SHUTDOWNS / UNEMPLOYMENT

Washington State’s Employment Securities Department has a website for workers who are affected by the coronavirus outlining what state benefits are available to you if you are: 

  • Quarantined 

  • Ill or being tested 

  • Affected by reduced hours, temporary shutdowns, or layoffs 

  • Facing loss of employment 

and other scenarios related to coronavirus/COVID-19. We have been working closely with our state to ensure members have access to as many benefits as possible. 

MEALS AND CHILDCARE 

Public Health guidelines for gatherings of children and youth while schools are closed 

Childcare: 

Washington State’s databse of licensed childcare providers (call 1-800-446-1114 for help from a child care specialist if you’re not sure what you’re looking for)

Childcare assistance for members of federally recognized tribes

School District Meal Plans: 

Most school districts are offering meal support to students while schools are closed. Contact your local school district for help, or find links to some district’s websites or meal plans below. 

Additional food support: 

Statewide: 

Seattle: 

DISCRIMINATION 

Our allies at Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) have helpful information about how to fight discrimination against Asian American and Pacific Islander working people during this coronavirus outbreak. 

King County Public Health has an outline of public resources for people facing discrimination during this outbreak and for talking to others about why stigma and discrimination are harmful. 

IMMIGRATION 

Many community members may have questions about how their immigration status could impact their ability to access medical care. The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project has information in English and Spanish.

Tenga o no documentos legales, usted tiene el derecho de recibir atención médica. El recibir atención médica en el estado de Washington no le afectará en el momento que pueda arreglar su situación migratoria.

Para más información legal, vea este video de parte del Proyecto para los Derechos del Inmigrante del Noroeste.

Si desea más información sobre la “Carga Publica,” vea esta liga.

DACA Scholarship Fund: Thanks to the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Facebook App & El Centro de la Raza, $75,000 will be available to cover DACA renewal fees. Scholarship funds are available to individuals who have or previously had DACA status, have a completed DACA renewal application, and who reside in Seattle, or work in Seattle, or go to school in Seattle. Successful DACA scholarship grantees will receive a check made out to the Department of Homeland Security to submit with their DACA renewal application. All application processes will require the completion of an eligibility form and a 30-minute video or phone appointment with an El Centro staff member.

Fondo de Becas Para DACA: Gracias a la Oficina de Asuntos de Inmigrantes y Refugiados de Seattle, Facebook y El Centro de la Raza, $75,000 estarán disponibles para cubrir las tarifas de renovación de DACA. 

UTILITIES 

If you are worried about paying utility bills, contact your local utility and see if you are eligible for a deferred payment plan if your financial stability has been jeopardized by COVID-19. 

Seattle: 

If you are experiencing financial hardship because of COVID-19, call Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities at 206-684-3000 to set up a deferred payment plan. They will help keep your utility service going uninterrupted. Translation services are available over the phone.  

The City of Seattle has pledged to keep all customers’ utilities on for the duration of the COVID-19 Civil Emergency period.  

Seattle also has a Utility Discount Program offers income-eligible customers a 60% discount on their Seattle City Light bill and a 50% discount on their Seattle Public Utilities bill. 

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Washington State has compiled a list of financial resources for people in our state.

 MENTAL HEALTH 

A guide to “Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty” from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Resources for people in crisis:

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 

We know that home is not a safe place for everybody, and that people are being quarantined or spending more time at home right now. Please reach out if you need support. 

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE; or 800-787-3224 (TTY) 

  • King/Snohomish/Pierce County Deaf Hotline: 206-812-1001 (videophone) 

  • NW Network of Bi, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse: 206-568-7777 

  • API Chaya (culturally competent safety services for API & South Asian people): 1-877-922-4292 

  • ReWA (for immigrants and refugees): 206-721-0243 

RESOURCES FOR KIDS 

ARTISTS 

INTERNET ACCESS

You may qualify for free or low-cost internet through Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has been expanded during this virus crisis. The speed of this internet has been increased and new customers can receive two months of free internet service.

Gabrielle Prawl