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.
SEATTLE NEWS
- New Statewide Restrictions on Social Gatherings and Businesses as COVID-19 Cases Surge
- COVID-19 Safety Protocols in City Facilities
Governor’s Office, WA State departments, and King County News
- Inslee announces statewide restrictions for four-weeks
- New free test site at Highline College
- More free flu vaccination clinics throughout King County
New OR updated Resources and Services
For the full list of resources and services, visit www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19.
City of Seattle Free COVID-19 Testing
The City of Seattle, King County, and UW Medicine are now offering free COVID-19 testing for people who live, work, or regularly visit Seattle. Drive-through and walk-up testing is available. You must first register online or over the phone. While testing is free, if you have medical insurance, please bring your insurance card or proof of insurance. To learn more about these sites, please visit the City of Seattle COVID-19 Free Testing page.
Public Health and Community Health Center COVID-19 Testing
Public Health – Seattle & King County is regularly updating their list of free testing sites located all over King County, which also includes community health centers and UW Mobile Clinics. Language and mobility access varies by location. Learn more at Public Health – Seattle King County’s website.
City of Seattle Hygiene, Restroom, and Shower Facilities Map
The City of Seattle has conducted an extensive accounting of every City-funded hygiene resource available. As of May 20, Seattle Parks & Recreation, Seattle Public Utilities, The Seattle Public Library, and city-sponsored day centers account for more than 165 locations where hygiene resources are available, including 89 24/7 hygiene facilities that include toilets. Human Services Department’s hygiene map includes all locations that are open and will be updated weekly.
Seattle Protects (Access to Cloth Face Coverings)
Seattle and King County announced a Health Directive for all workers and residents to wear cloth face coverings in all indoor public settings and outdoor public spaces where maintaining social distancing could be difficult. Learn more about how you can access free or low-cost masks.
Apply for Free and Reduced-Price Lunch
You can apply now for a free and reduced-price lunch (FRL) from Seattle Public Schools for the 2020-2021 school year. Enrolling in FRL makes it easier for students and families to receive additional money for groceries that may become available in the new year. Free and reduced-price meals are available to students regardless of immigration status, and applying does not impact individual’s ability to apply for a green card. Learn more and apply.
Food Support for Seattle Housing Authority Youth
United Way of King County is partnering with Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) and Seattle Public Schools to offer free home delivery of meals for youth who live in specific Seattle neighborhoods. Families living at the High Point, New Holly, and Rainier Vista SHA properties are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch daily, Monday to Friday, through a no-contact delivery. To request home delivery of meals, fill out this online form or call (503) 395-7697.
Basic Food or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (UPDATED)
Basic Food is Washington State’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Due to additional emergency funding from the federal government, all existing and new Basic Food participants will receive the maximum benefit for their household size. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will continue to request month-to-month extensions of this benefit as long as a national public emergency declaration is in place. This will temporarily increase the monthly assistance for households that did not already qualify for the maximum benefit. You can read more about this emergency supplemental funding on the Washington DSHS website, (which includes FAQs in multiple languages).
You can apply for Basic Food Assistance online here, or by downloading a translated application here, or by calling (877) 501-2233. More information is available at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website.
Changes to Basic Food Work Eligibility Requirements for Some Adults
Some people who qualify for Basic Food assistance have to meet work or work training requirements. This applies to people between the ages of 18 and 49 who are able to work and do not have any children or others as dependents. Federal funding systems refer to this as “able bodied adults without dependents” or ABAWD. These changes are summarized below:
- If your assistance previously ended for not meeting work requirements, you can reapply for food assistance online here.
- If you are a current ABAWD client, you will not be penalized for not meeting the 80-hour work requirements in March – September 2020. Stay up-to-date on additional extensions by visiting this website.
Learn more about ABAWD and these changes at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) (UPDATED)
The City of Seattle helps low- and moderate-income working families or families with a parent attending school to pay for child care for children ages one month to 13 years. Families receive a monthly voucher for child care that can be used at any one of the City’s participating CCAP providers, including licensed family child care homes and centers in Seattle. For more information, visit seattle.gov/ccap or call (206) 386-1050.
2020 Small Business Stabilization Fund for Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19
The Small Business Stabilization Fund provides $10,000 grants to small businesses and economic opportunity nonprofits throughout Seattle who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. The Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) will ensure that at least two-thirds of grant recipients will be selected from applications from businesses with five or fewer employees and from areas that are identified as high risk of displacement or highly disadvantaged. OED will provide 67 percent of grants to businesses with five or fewer employees that are located in high-displacement risk areas. This fund also aims to better support creative industry small businesses and workers and will specifically allocate 10 percent of all grants-or 24 grants-to creative industry small businesses. The deadline to apply is November 30, 2020, 11:59 p.m. Learn more and apply.
Donations and Volunteer OpportunitiesFor a full list of opportunities:
http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19#iwanttodonatevolunteer.