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
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
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.
Grants – Nonprofits, Individuals, Small Businesses
Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance
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
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
- 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
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)
