COVID-19 Resources
If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, Pennsylvania 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to #898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free.
Available benefits and services include:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Cash Assistance
- Health Care Coverage (Medical Assistance)
- Home Heating Assistance (LIHEAP)
- Family Planning Services
- Help with Child Care
- School Meals
- Long-Term Living Services
Montgomery County
- Norristown District
1931 New Hope Street
Norristown, PA 19401-3191 - Office Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Toll-Free: 1-877-398-5571
Phone: 610-270-3500 - Fax: 610-270-1678
Delaware County
- Office Headquarters
701 Crosby Street, Suite A
Chester, PA 19013-6099 - Office Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Phone: 610-447-5500
- Fax: 610-447-5399
Unemployment Compensation
If you are unemployed or your hours have been reduced, apply for unemployment compensation IMMEDIATELY at uc.pa.gov.
You will be eligible for 39 weeks of payments.
Independent contractors and those who are self-employed are eligible for benefits.
Check uc.pa.gov for an application link specific to independent contractors and self-employed workers.
PIN & Determinations Information
New Claims:
- -You will receive a Claim Confirmation Letter via U.S. Postal Service usually within 7-10 business days that will include your Personal Identification Number (PIN). You will be able to file for recent and missed weeks once your PIN arrives.
- -You will receive your Notice of Financial Determination Letter via U.S. Postal Service usually within 10-15 business, but it could be longer.
Reopened Claims:
- -Reopened claims must be manually processed.
- -If the biweekly filing system tells you on your filing date that your weeks are inactive, try filing your biweekly claims one time each day until you are able to successfully file. Do NOT reopen your claim multiple times.
- -If you opened a claim within the last twelve months, your PIN and Notice of Financial Determination were issued when you opened your original claim.
If you need to reset your PIN, email uchelp@pa.gov and include your full name and the last four digits of your social security number.
Check Claim Status Online
You can check your payment status at: https://www.paclaims.pa.gov/ucen/LoginClaimStatus.asp.
Payment Funds Schedule
If you file your biweekly claim on:
Sunday OR Monday = funds available by Wednesday
Tuesday = funds available by Thursday
Wednesday = funds available on Friday
Thursday = funds available on Saturday
Friday = funds available on the following Monday
Note: Payments may be delayed if there is an eligibility issue that must be resolved before payment can be made.
Unemployment Compensation
If you are employed in Pennsylvania and are unable to work because of COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Compensation (UC) or Workers’ Compensation (WC) benefits.
The following changes to unemployment have been made to help Pennsylvanians during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- -The waiting week is suspended. Previously, claimants were not eligible for benefits during their first week of unemployment (the “waiting week”). This has been suspended; eligible claimants may receive benefits for the first week that they are unemployed.
- -Work search and work registration requirements are temporarily waived. Claimants are not required to prove they have applied or searched for a new job to maintain their benefits. Claimants are also not required to register with PACareerLink.gov.
- -People who exhaust their regular Unemployment Compensation and federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation can now qualify for 13 additional weeks of payments through the state’s Unemployment Compensation Extended Benefits program.
In addition to regular state Unemployment Compensation benefits, which provide roughly half of an individual’s full-time weekly income up to $572 per week, the federal CARES Act expanded UC benefits through several new programs:
- -Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) expands benefits to gig-economy workers, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals who are otherwise ineligible for unemployment.
- -Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) provides an additional 13 weeks of UC benefits to individuals who exhaust their regular 26 weeks of benefits, for a total of 39 weeks of coverage.
- -COMING SOON: Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) is a temporary federal program that provides an additional $300 per week for eligible UC claimants. The Program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is currently awaiting final program guidance and evaluating implementation procedures.
Grants – Nonprofits, Individuals, Small Businesses
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance
Additional Resources
Credit Cards
If you have seen a reduction in pay due to COVID-19 and are struggling to make your credit card or loan payments, contact your lender right away. Regulatory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers impacted by the coronavirus. For guidance, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or contact a credit counselor near you.
Find food assistance resources near you.
Who can get food from a food bank or pantry?
- Persons who are out of work without pay are eligible to receive food from a food bank or food pantry in Pennsylvania, including:
- Service workers who are unable to get shifts
- Hourly wage employees of non-essential businesses that have closed
You will be asked to provide verbal confirmation of your need as well as your household size and weekly income level as of the day you go to receive food.
Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia sponsored Feeding Sites for Children
Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) are the hub of child care information in your area. ELRCs provide you and your family with information on quality child care and personalized child care referrals to child care providers based on your specific needs or preferences. ELRCs also administer the Child Care Works subsidized child care program (helping low income families pay their child care fees).
Delaware County
- 20 South 69th Street, 4th Floor
- Upper Darby, PA 19082-2528
- Phone: 610-713-2115
- Toll-Free: 1-800-831-3117
- Fax: 610-713-2333
- E-mail: elrc15-email@delcohsa.org
Montgomery County
- P.O. Box 311
- 1430 Dekalb Street
- Norristown, PA 19404-0311
- Phone: 610-278-3707
- Toll-Free: 1-800-281-1116
- Fax: 610-278-5161
- E-mail: ELRCRegion17@pa.gov
Delaware County Library
Online
- Tutoring: Tutor.com or Chegg.com
- Teaching English: VIPkid.com
- Survey Sites: SurveyJunkie.com or Swagbucks.com
- Transcribing: Fiverr.com or Rev.com
- Quality Assurance Review: Humanatic.com
Pennsylvania
PENFED Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Financial Relief Program (available to service members/veterans):
Use link to apply. The grant amount will support 1 month of payment up to $1500 in the following areas: rent, mortgage, auto loan/lease, utilities. Checks sent directly to the creditor or landlord after grant is approved. The Foundation can only support one emergency financial request per household.
Additional Emergency Financial Resources (available to service members/veterans):
Instacart
- https://www.instacart.com/
- Minimum order – $10
- Delivery Fee – starts at $4 for non-members
- Membership (optional) – free delivery on all orders over $35 for $99/year or $10/month
Shipt
- https://www.shipt.com/
- Minimum order - $35
- Delivery Fee - $7 for orders below $35
- Membership (required) - $99/year or $14/month
Amazon Fresh – Whole Foods only
- https://www.amazon.com/alm/storefront?almBrandId=VUZHIFdob2xlIEZvb2Rz&ref_=nav_cs_whole_foods_in_region
- Minimum order - $35 for free delivery in most locations
- Delivery Fee - $10 for orders below $35
- Membership (required) – Amazon Prime membership
Fresh Direct
- https://www.freshdirect.com/
- Minimum order - $30
- Delivery Fee - starts at $6
- Membership (optional) – unlimited free deliveries for $79/6 months or $129/year
Hungryroot
- https://www.hungryroot.com/
- Minimum order - $59
- Delivery fee – free shipping at $70 for non-subscribers
- Membership (optional) – weekly subscription starting at $60/week
Thrive Market
- https://thrivemarket.com/membership/welcome
- Minimum order - $49
- Delivery Fee - included with membership
- Membership (required) - $59/year or $9.95/month
PeaPod
- https://www.peapod.com/
- Minimum order - $60
- Delivery Fee - starts at $7
- Membership (optional) - PodPass for discounted deliveries is $35/6 months or $199/year
Boxed
- https://www.boxed.com/
- Minimum order - $49 for free shipping
- Delivery Fee - $7 delivery fee on orders below $49
- Membership (optional) - $49/year for free shipping on all orders
Postmates
- https://postmates.com/
- Minimum order - varies by location (may charge a small cart fee of $1.99)
- Delivery Fee - up to $9.99
- Membership (optional) – free delivery on orders over $12 for $9.99/month
Learn more about COVID-19 testing and find a testing center here.
Mental Health Resources
- Pennsylvania’s comprehensive mental health resources, Mental Health in PA.
- Mental Health America for general information and COVID-19-specific resources.
- Get Help Now for substance use disorder and alcohol treatment.
- Helpful Phone Numbers:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- (As Dr. Levine provides in her daily briefings): The Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741-741
- Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- Get Help Now for substance use disorder and alcohol treatment: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
