Portland families can begin applying Monday for $250 gift cards to help cover expenses due to the coronavirus pandemic, city officials say.

The VISA gift cards will be provided to around 740 low-income families on a first come, first served basis and meant to be used to cover rent, medical bills, food or any other urgent expense, said Martha Calhoon, a Portland Housing Bureau spokesperson.

The funds for the gift cards come from around $200,000 out of more than $1 million reallocated from the Portland Housing Bureau’s budget to cover cash assistance for residents.

The other $800,000 is being given to 19 local nonprofits who serve communities of color, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, immigrants and refugees, domestic violence survivors and at-risk youth, Calhoon said. Those groups will provide up to $500 per household to people already in their networks, she said.

“This was done to provide an opportunity for the public to access this assistance while also ensuring we serve as many impacted households as rapidly and equitably as possible,” Calhoon said. The nonprofits will be distributing the funds via “a variety of methods” through June 30, she said.

Here are details for the gift cards:

Am I eligible for aid?

According to city officials, Portland residents have to meet two criteria points to qualify.

1. They must have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis, in ways such as the following: they lost their job, had work hours reduced, faced increased child care expenses due to school closures, missed work to take care of their children with schools closed or had to take care of themself or a relative sick from the virus. Residents have to provide proof of the hardship(s).

2. They made 50% or less than the area median income before any loss of income or employment related to coronavirus.

Do I qualify under the income limits?

The Portland Housing Bureau is basing the median income estimates on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development calculations for the Portland metro area in 2019. So 50% of area median income would be:

Household of 1 = $30,800

Household of 2 = $35,200

Household of 3 = $39,600

Household of 4 = $43,950

Household of 5 = $47,500

Household of 6 = $51,000

Household of 7 = $54,500

Household of 8 = $58,050

How do I prove I’ve been impacted by coronavirus?

Applicants will have to provide letters or emails of proof from their employer, children’s school, doctor or other source to verify their hardship. Photographs of the letters can be accepted.

How do I apply?

Applications are being accepted by 211Info, a nonprofit that contracts with the city to provide information and referral services. People can start applying at 10 a.m. on Monday April 27, 2020 either by calling 211 or filling out an online application on www.211info.org/covid19. Applications can’t be submitted before 10 a.m. on Monday.

The online applications will be available in English, Spanish, simplified Chinese, Vietnamese and Russian.

Applicants will have to provide their name, number of people in their household, email address, confirm they meet both qualifying criteria, explain how the funds will primarily be used and agree to provide documentation of their income if asked.

The documents can be uploaded with the online application. A 211Info phone operator said Wednesday evening that applicants who apply via phone will be given an email address where they can to send their documentation.

When will the gift cards be made available?

Recipients can expect to receive the funds three to five business days after their application and supporting documentation are received, said Calhoon.

“If people want to expedite the process, they can make sure they have their documentation ready to go with their application on Monday or as soon as they can,” she said.

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-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 |@EvertonBailey

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