Resources regarding un/employment, small businesses, and other economic support:
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
- Centre Helps: Offers 24/7 hotline connecting Centre County residents with both financial support (payment of bills) and/or referrals as well as emotional support: Centre Helps provides referral services for food, basic economic needs, transportation, and healthcare including mental health & addiction support. Call Centre Helps, 800-494-2500 or 814-237-5855. Available 24 hours a day. (Please note: most Penn State students are not eligible for assistance through Centre Helps.)State College Presbyterian Church has funds available to directly aid people. Contact Rev. Michael Ozaki (michaelscpc@gmail.com) at State College Presbyterian Church for more information.
- Economic Impact Payment (Stimulus Check) Information
- Unemployment Rights and Resources – Guide from PA Office of Attorney General on students loans, evictions, unemployment, utilities, and more.
- Interfaith Human Services: Provides families and individuals with resources and guidance on their finances to work toward monthly management instead of crisis control.
- Fuel Bank and Coordination/Access to other financial support – Interfaith Human Services of Centre County (814-234-7731) https://www.interfaithhumanservices.org/
- The Hamer Foundation Community Disaster Fund: available to help those who are facing financial struggles as a result of COVID-19. Types of support will include, but are not limited to rent/mortgage payments, hotel stays for emergency shelter, food, utility bills, medication costs, and childcare costs.
- United Way: Connects people with resources, i.e. help with a utilities bill or housing assistance. To access help, call 211 or text your zip code to #898-211.
- CBICC Tools to Tackle COVID-19 flyer – The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County provides information for Individuals and Businesses.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE:
- Apply for CARES act rent and mortgage relief
- PA Eviction Moratorium extended to July 10, 2020.
- Regional Housing Legal Services – Coronavirus: Protections for All Pennsylvania Renters.
- Prohibition of Utility Termination – emergency order issued by PA Public Utility Commission.
- Rent Freeze in Centre County Petition – calls on all City Mayors and County Commissioners to freeze rent, mortgage, and utility payments.
- Statewide (PA United) Petition for a range of relief measures.
- National (The People’s Bailout) Petition – form to send to your Member of Congress demanding they commit to 5 principles for just Covid-19 relief and stimulus.
- Local (State College) Petition – form to sign an appeal to State College landlords for relief and cooperation in this difficult time.
UNEMPLOYMENT SUPPORT:
- Business resources for those impacted by the virus from PA Department of Economic Development: https://dced.pa.gov/resources/
- Office of Unemployment Compensation – Information for PA Employees Impacted by Covid-19
- The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) portal is available for “individuals who have traditionally been ineligible for unemployment benefits (e.g. self-employed workers, independent contractors, gig workers, people who have exhausted rights to regular UC benefits or lack sufficient work history).
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) FAQs
- PA/Centre County Career Link
- Ellen Struble, Workforce Specialist
- estruble@tiu11.org
- 814-548-7587 – leave a message and Ellen will return your call as soon as possible
HEALTH INSURANCE:
- I lost my health insurance. How can I make sure my family and I are covered?
- Loss of job-based coverage qualifies individuals for a special health insurance enrollment period for adults and children. Please go to www.healthcare.gov to learn about options.
- Centre Volunteers in Medicine is offering telehealth for those without insurance (limited hours/call ahead)
GENERAL RESOURCES:
- Governor Tom Wolfe State Updates – Regular updates on policies, guidelines and state responses.
- Salud America! Spanish Language Coronavirus Resources
- PA COVID-19 Resources for Immigrants compiled by the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition, available in English and Spanish
SMALL BUSINESS & NON-PROFIT SUPPORT:
- Centre Foundation COVID-19 Response Grant Program for nonprofits. Applications for second round of funding will be available in July.
- COVID-19 Resources– A great list of resources for unemployment, small businesses, etc. throughout the region
- PASA – Continuity of Business plan guidance
- PASA Guideline for farmers and farmer’s markets
- CBICC Tools to Tackle COVID-19 flyer – The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County provides information for Individuals and Businesses.
- Local Centre Co. Resource for Protective Glass Barriers
- PA Dept. of Agriculture
- U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance – COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application
- Penn State Law School Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic – Penn State law students are offering free assistance and support for small businesses and non-profits trying to navigate business issues in the current economic climate.
