COVID-19 Resources

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

Rental Assistance

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

If you have been impacted by COVID-19, apply for rental assistance today! The following agencies are administering rental assistance for Montgomery County residents and accept online applications.

Manna on Main Street
Mannaonmain.org/eruc-application
215-855-5454

ACLAMO
Aclamo.org/housing-vivienda/housing-assistance-eruc-pre-screen-tool/
610-277-2570

CADCOM
Cadcom.org/pre-screen-form-eruc-cadcom
610-277-6363

Program Highlights:
- One or more individuals of the renter’s household must meet the following criteria to qualify:
o Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
o Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
o Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median.
- You can apply for a full 12 months of back rent, as well as an additional 3 months of future rent if there is a concern for future housing instability.
- You do not have to be arrears in order to qualify for assistance with future rent.
- Residents that have received rental assistance funding via other programs are eligible.
- Assistance can cover home internet costs needed for distance learning, telework, and telehealth, helping to keep families connected to school, work, and healthcare.

To start your application, you will be required to complete the Pre-Screening Eligibility Form at the above websites. If eligible, you will be redirected automatically to complete the full application. Once your application is submitted, you will be contacted by the agency, who will then contact the Landlord to complete the Landlord portion of the application.

Please provide the following Landlord information:

Landlord/Entity Name University City Housing Company
Landlord Phone Number 610-525-3900, Option 1
Landlord Email accountsreceivable@uchweb.com

Please let us know once you submit your application!

If you are not able to submit your application electronically and/or have questions regarding the application or need assistance in completing it, please contact the administering agencies at the above numbers. UCH’s Accounts Receivable Department (610-525-3900, Option 1) is also more than happy to help!

DELAWARE COUNTY

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS

Delaware County is accepting emergency rental assistance for residents affected by COVID-19. If you have been affected by COVID-19, apply now at delco-era.com!

Program Highlights:
- One or more individuals of the renter’s household must meet the following criteria to qualify:
o Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
o Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
o Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median.
- You can apply for a full 12 months of back rent, as well as an additional 3 months of future rent if there is a concern for future housing instability.
- You do not have to be arrears in order to qualify for assistance with future rent.
- Residents that have received rental assistance funding via other programs are eligible.
- Assistance can cover home internet costs needed for distance learning, telework, and telehealth, helping to keep families connected to school, work, and healthcare.

Registration
1. Step 1 - Register your information at delco-era.com. You will then receive an email to complete Step 2.
2. Step 2 - Open email following completion of Step 1. You will be asked to answer a few questions about your financial status to determine your eligibility.
3. Once you have completed Steps 1 &2, a case manager will review your information.
a. If you do not meet the threshold criteria, you will be notified by email with a reason.
b. If you meet the threshold criteria, you will receive an email inviting you to submit the full application.
4. If you are invited to apply, open invitation email to submit the full application and all required documentation through the county’s portal. Verification documentation could include: photo id, evidence of income loss, evidence of past due rent and/or utilities, and/or copy of your lease.

Please provide the following Landlord information:

Landlord/Entity Name University City Housing Company
Landlord Phone Number 610-525-3900, Option 1
Landlord Email accountsreceivable@uchweb.com

Please let us know if you plan to apply.

If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Delaware County Emergency Rental Assistance Program at 484-729-4200. UCH’s Accounts Receivable Department (610-525-3900, Option 1) is also more than happy to help!

Unemployment Compensation

If you are unemployed or your hours have been reduced, apply for unemployment compensation IMMEDIATELY at uc.pa.gov.

You may be eligible for up to 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 = funds available by Tuesday
• Monday = funds available by Wednesday
• Tuesday = funds available by Thursday
• Wednesday = funds available on Friday
• Thursday = funds available on the following Monday
• Friday = funds available on the following Tuesday
• Saturday = funds available on the following Tuesday

Note: Payments may be delayed if there is an eligibility issue that must be resolved before payment can be made.

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. These programs were renewed by the American Rescue Plan and will run through September 4, 2021.

• 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.
• Everyone receiving unemployment compensation benefits under any program will receive a $300 per week subsidy.  This subsidy is in addition to regular benefits.

Grants – Nonprofits, Individuals, Small Businesses

• https://learning.candid.org/resources/knowledge-base/covid-19-emergency-financial-resources/

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance

• https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/covid-19-economic-injury-disaster-loans

Additional Resources

• Savi Student Loan Aid – https://crisishelp.bysavi.com

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

• http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/covid19/

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

• http://www.delcolibraries.org/explore-digital-library

Online

• Tutor.com - https://www.tutor.com/apply
• VIPkid - https://www.vipkid.com/teach
• SurveyJunkie - https://www.surveyjunkie.com Click "JOIN NOW
• Swagbucks - https://www.swagbucks.com/g/paid-surveys
• Fiverr - https://www.fiverr.com/start_selling
• Rev - http://www.rev.com/freelancers
• Humanatic - http://www.humanatic.com/pages/registration_begin.cfm

Pennsylvania

• https://www.pacareerlink.pa.gov/jponline/JobSeeker/SearchJobs

Additional Emergency Financial Resources (available to service members/veterans):

• https://penfedfoundation.org/community-resources-for-veterans-and-service-members/

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)