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.
Governor’s Office, DOH, and other WA State departments
- Inslee issues guidance to clarify limits on elective surgeries
- Inslee issues additional guidance on construction activities
New OR updated Resources and Services
- For the full list of resources and services, visit www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19.
Free and Accessible Walk-up and Drive-thru Testing
- Free walk-up COVID-19 testing is available at the Rainier Beach Atlantic City Boat Ramp (located across from Rainier Beach High School) every Wednesday and Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM. No appointments are necessary, and registration will be on-site. The site has the capacity to test 100 people per day. You will not be asked for your citizenship or immigration status.
On-site and Drive-thru Testing Sites
Most testing currently available in the greater Seattle area is limited to patients and employees of specific health care systems or people who meet guidelines set by the Washington State Department of Health. Typically, you will be required to schedule an appointment and have proof of insurance. The Seattle Times maintains this list of testing sites.
City of Seattle Hygiene Facilities
Seattle City Council has launched this map showing various Seattle Public Library and Parks and Recreation restroom, shower, and hygiene facilities available to the public. This map might not be completely comprehensive. We will post an updated map as more facilities open across the city. The map is available at Councilmember Andrew Lewis’ Hygiene Facilities page.
City of Seattle Free Shower Program at Four Seattle Community Centers (Updated)
The free shower program run by Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) for community members in need is operating on a modified schedule at four community centers. People will only be allowed in a few at a time, and staff will take temporal temperature scans to ensure you are healthy. For more details, please visit this page.
NAMI Washington Helpline Resources
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Seattle operates a mental health referral and information helpline (call 206-783-9264 or text 206-207-7765) to connect callers to the support and resources that they need. NOTE: This helpline is not a crisis line, as they are not equipped to assist with crisis intervention. For more information, go here.
You Can Now Use SNAP EBT Cards to Order Grocery Pick-Up or Delivery
The following stores and online retailers now accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards as a form of payment for grocery pick-up or delivery.
- QFC and Fred Meyer locations that offer grocery pick up now accept EBT payment for orders placed online. Select a location and place your order through the store website (visit QFC or Fred Meyer). When you reach the payment option select “Pay with EBT” and bring your EBT card when you pick up the groceries. Learn more here.
- Washington SNAP EBT funds can be used to purchase groceries for delivery through Amazon Fresh, Amazon Pantry, and Amazon Grocery. You can register your SNAP EBT card here. And you can Learn more about the program here.
Find a Nearby Open Restaurant for Takeout in the Tri-county Area
As part of Seattle’s #SupportPugetSoundSmallBiz campaign, the City of Seattle has relaunched this interactive map that can help residents in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties find small businesses providing takeout or delivery in their neighborhood. You can search for open small businesses and navigate directly to a business’ website or third-party delivery service page. You can access that map here.
Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Washington State Department of Commerce is providing up to $1,000 in rental assistance and up to $500 in energy assistance for households that qualify for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This crisis funding will be distributed through Commerce’s statewide network of community action agencies. You can find a list of King County agencies you can apply to for funding here.
Homer Harris Hub COVID-19 Support (recovers.org)
The recovers.org platform is a free website communities can use to organize disaster relief. Central District community advocates have launched this Homer Harris Hub recovers.org site to connect individual volunteers and community organizations with local needs. Go here to learn more about support. To apply, visit: homerharrishub.recovers.org/needs/new.
West Seattle Support (recovers.org)
The recovers.org platform is a free website communities can use to organize disaster relief. West Seattle community advocates have launched this West Seattle website to connect individual volunteers and community organizations with local needs. Go here to learn more about support. To apply, please visit: westseattlecovid.recovers.org/needs/new.
Emergency Child Care Program
The Department of Education and Early Learning is offering emergency child care services for families of first responders and essential workers, as well as families facing homelessness. For more information on eligibility or to apply for the program, visit the Emergency Child Care page.
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, call: (833) 572-8400 and request an interpreter. They are experiencing extremely high call volumes and longer than normal wait times. You can also learn more at: esd.wa.gov.
Busker Relief Fund
Pike Place Market busker Jeannie Rak started this fund to support the street performers of Seattle’s Pike Place Market. The funds raised will be distributed to Pike Place artists in need. To learn more about or to donate to the fund, visit: freefunder.com/campaign/busker-relief-fund.
Salesforce Care Small Business Grants
Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak. Please visit this page to see if you are eligible and how to continue with an application.
Federal Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)
Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises in Seattle and King County are now eligible to apply for up to $2 million in low‑interest Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to offset economic losses caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Small business owners are also eligible to apply for an EIDL Emergency Advance of up to $10,000. Funds will be made available within three days of submitting application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid, regardless of whether you end up qualifying for an EIDL loan or not. Details here at the SBA website.
- SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) had offered up to $10 million in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. Details here at the SBA website.
- The second round of funding for the Paycheck Protection Program opened on April 27. (UPDATED)
- SBA’s Debt Relief Program pays the principal, interest, and fees of current and new 7(a), 504, and microloans. Details here at the SBA website.
- SBA’s Express Bridge Loans enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access $25,000 quickly. Details here at the SBA website.
You can contact the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) for technical assistance by calling (206) 684-8090 (interpretation provided) or by emailing OED@seattle.gov. You can also learn more at the Seattle Office of Economic Development page here. Or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 (interpretation provided) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
Warning to Small Business Owners
The City of Seattle is warning small businesses that scammers are posing as either lenders or third-party providers offering to assist businesses with their federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications. There is no fee or charge in applying for SBA loans. If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of your SBA loan in exchange for payment up front or by someone offering a high interest rate on a small business loan, you should suspect fraud. Please report scams to the Washington State Office of Attorney General by calling 1-800-551-4636 from Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by completing an online claim here. More information here.
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
- 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.