This weekly alert provides new and updated information and links to City of Seattle programs and services for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also contains helpful city, county, state and federal resources. You may receive more frequent alerts, if needed. AlertSeattle: COVID-19 Subscribers – This weekly alert provides new and updated information and links to City of Seattle programs and services for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also contains helpful city, county, state and federal resources. You may receive more frequent alerts, if needed.
News
Help your Neighbors by Shopping Responsibly: Many grocery stores are reserving specific hours for populations at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, including people aged 60+. Help protect your neighbors by respecting these set times and by following social distancing guidance. See a list of stores that have announced hours for Elderly or At-risk Shoppers.
Weekly COVID-19 Community Webinars: Seattle Department of Neighborhoods hosts weekly webinars every Friday from 2:30-4:00 p.m. to connect community to information regarding COVID-19. Each week covers different topics.
New OR updated Resources and Services
For the full list of resources and services, visit www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19.
United Way of King County Home Base Rent Assistance Fund (Updated) The United Way of King County (UWKC), City of Seattle, and King County launched this financial aid program for King County residents who have been impacted financially by COVID-19 and are behind on rent. Applicants could qualify for one month of rental assistance. As of April 14, the application process is closed. UWKC is actively fundraising for additional support. Qualified applicants can also provide their email here, and UWKC will inform them if the program reopens.
State Unemployment Benefits for Workers (Updated) The Washington State Employment Security Department has programs designed to help workers impacted by COVID-19. They have an easy-to-read comparison guide listing some of the most common scenarios that may occur and benefits that may apply. Workers can check their eligibility here. And now, $600 will be automatically added to weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim payments this week; and people who were self-employed, including gig-workers and Uber and Lyft drivers can apply for UI. To apply, you must first create an online SecureAccess Washington account here. For more information, you can also call: (833) 572-8400 and request an interpreter. They are also are experiencing extremely high call volumes and longer than normal wait times. You can also learn more at: esd.wa.gov.
Facebook Small Business Grants Program: Facebook is offering cash grants and ad credits to help small businesses. The application process is currently open for businesses in the Seattle area. To learn more about eligibility requirements and to apply, please visit: facebook.com/business/boost/grants.
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Emergency Language and Outreach Services Contracts: DOH has limited funding available to community-based organizations for emergency in-language and outreach services related to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Note there are two deadlines for this funding. To learn more and to apply, visit the DOH Emergency Language and Outreach Services Contracts page.
The Good Farmer Fund: The organization Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets has launched this fund to assist local farms that are in crisis. Go here to apply for funding. To learn more about the fund or to donate to it, visit: seattlefarmersmarkets.org/programs-events/good-farmer-fund.
Websites
COVID-19 key hubs of online information and resources:
- City of Seattle – www.seattle.gov/covid-19
- Local – www.kingcounty.gov/covid
- State – www.coronavirus.wa.gov
- Federal – https://www.coronavirus.gov/ and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
Call Centers for Public Inquiries
- City of Seattle Customer Service Bureau – 206-684-2489 or 206-684-CITY
To learn more about the services the City is providing. Helpline is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and operators can connect with an external interpreter.
- Public Health-Seattle & King
County – 206-477-3977
For residents who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19, or for healthcare providers with COVID-19 questions. Helpline open daily from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and operators can connect with a third-party interpreter. - Washington State Department of Health –
800-525-0127 and press #
For general questions about how the virus is spread and what to do if you have symptoms. Helpline is open daily from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
E-Bulletins
- Public Health-Seattle & King County posts regular information updates and news releases on their Public Health Insider blog site. Register your email address to follow the blog and receive notifications of updates. https://publichealthinsider.com/
- Washington State Department of Health issues regular e-newsletter bulletins. Sign-up and manage your subscription preferences. https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new?topic_id=WADOH_360
- The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issues regular e-bulletins. Sign-up and manage your subscription preferences. https://tools.cdc.gov/campaignproxyservice/subscriptions.aspx?topic_id=USCDC_201
Donations and Volunteer Opportunities
For a full list of opportunities: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19#iwanttodonatevolunteer
City of Seattle PPE Donations Collection – The City partnered with Goodwill Industries and Labor partners to coordinate the collection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for distribution to those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak. To learn more, visit here. For donations, visit here.
King County Regional Donations Connector – Matching donations of money, food, goods, and services to agencies in need:www.kingcounty.gov/emergency/donate. Direct questions to donations@kingcounty.gov.
Donations for Somali Family Safety Task Force Ramadan Food Baskets (New): Join inproviding Ramadan food baskets to families that are impacted by Covid-19. Many of the families have been impacted in a variety of ways including loss of employment, health issues, school closures for children, etc.