Community resources and funding assistance

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Accessing all of the resources you need to support yourself, your family, and your community are critical during these challenging times. Public benefits, resources and services are designed to respond to the needs of the community. When you access benefits and services, don’t worry that you’re taking resources away from someone else in need.

If you need food

If you need help paying for food, SNAP can help. You can apply online and do not need to go into a DHS office. During this public health event, flexibility has been increased and there are new ways to purchase food. Many community resources are also available to help. See Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon’s COVID-19 webpage to find out more, including updates about SNAP benefits, nutrition services offered through K-12 school districts, and Oregon Food Bank’s Find Food Page. If you have questions about SNAP or your application, you can contact cp@pcc.edu to find out if a DHS SNAP Navigator might be able to assist.

If your employment has been impacted

See Oregon Employment Department’s COVID-19 webpage to find out about the increased flexibility and expansion of who can qualify for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits due a job loss, temporary layoff, or loss in work hours. Individuals may qualify when an employer stops operation for a short period of time, during a quarantine, or when caring for a sick family member. To file a claim, visit the Oregon Employment Department website and click “File Your New Claim” or call 877-345-3484. OED has also put together a resource list for employers, workers, and job seekers.

If you have contracted COVID-19 while at work, contact the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services for information on filing a workers’ compensation claim related to coronavirus. They can also be contacted at 800-452-0288 or workcomp.questions@oregon.gov.

If you need childcare

The Employment-Related Day Care program (ERDC) helps eligible low-income families pay for child care while they are working. Copays have been reduced to $0, and income eligibility has expanded. To apply, you can use the same online application to apply for ERDC as you do for SNAP and TANF. 211Info also can help, providing information on how to apply and find childcare.

If you need work

WorkSource has services available for job seekers. See the COVID-19 updates to find out about virtual services and resources available. There is also a shortage of Oregon child care providers. The state of Oregon is rapidly screening home child care providers. To apply, call 211; your name and phone number will be recorded, and you will be contacted with information about paperwork and training.

If you need an emergency grant

If you need an emergency grant as a PCC student funds may be available through the PCC Foundation’s Overcoming Barrier Grant.

If you need help finding resources or services

The PCC Counseling office has a Resource and Referral Team of Social Workers available to help students navigate the many college and community based resources available to them..

211info can help you find community resources, including social and health services. Hours are 7 days per week, 8am-11pm.

CALL 211 or 1-866-698-6155

TEXT your zip code to 898211 (TXT211)

EMAIL help@211info.org

If you need health insurance or care

See the Oregon Health Authority webpage to find out more information on how to apply for the Oregon Health Plan, find private plans sold on HealthCare.gov, or find healthcare providers. These options can help when you lose coverage, do not get health insurance through an employer, or qualify for additional coverage. There are special options for COFA islanders, members of tribes, and small businesses.

If you need mental health support

If you are experiencing domestic violence

Find support and learn about available resources, including shelter information. Contact Call to Safety (formerly Portland Women’s Crisis Line), a 24-hour helpline providing resources and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, at 503-235-5333 or toll-free at 1-800-235-5333.

PCC Campus Outreach & Advocacy Project: For PCC students, the Campus Outreach & Advocacy Project provides confidential supportive services to students who have experienced harm. Contact hayley.hayes@pcc.edu for more information about the advocacy and services available at the college and in the community. Work cell: 503-619-7041 (texting available).

If your power and water service might be shut off

During the outbreak, power and water services will not be shut off, regardless of ability to pay. Oregon’s largest utilities companies, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric (PGE) and Northwest Natural, announced on March 12 that they will be temporarily extending services without late fees to support Oregonians due to the outbreak of COVID-19. For help paying utility bills, contact 211Info to find community-based organizations and/or resources that can help.

If you might be evicted

Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler announced Tuesday, March 17 that they have signed emergency orders that ban eviction of tenants who can’t pay rent due to COVID-19-related challenges. You can also reach the Renters Rights Hotline at 503-288-0130 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 1 – 5pm, and on Tuesdays, 6 – 8pm. The hotline is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and usually returns calls within one or two days.

If you need help with housing and shelter

You can access a complete list of Oregon Shelters on the Homeless Shelter Directory website. Many are emergency shelters, along with general homeless shelters and some transitional housing opportunities. Please note that many of these shelters now have waiting lists. Please call before going to them. If you need help with rental assistance or other services to help with housing insecurity, contact 211 to find out what services are available.

If you need an internet connection or technology

Learn more about your internet service provider and mobile carrier options. If you have a technology need as a PCC student, given the move to virtual instruction, funds may be available to purchase technology through the PCC Foundation’s Overcoming Barrier Grant. Additionally, let us know about your remote technology needs to get in contact with staff who can support with access to a computer, wi-fi, or other remote resources.

If you are on SNAP and want extra support

If you are on SNAP and interested in support to reach your college and career goals, along with financial assistance to help with tuition, fees, books, and transportation, find out more about STEP. With the move to remote instruction and the added challenges resulting from COVID-19, we have increased capacity to assist students who are pursuing transfer pathways, general studies, and more. Students who need extra support to stay enrolled in courses, want help navigating resources, need assistance finding new employment, or are grappling with loss of work should email cp@pcc.edu or call 971-722-6218 to hear about options.

If you want to volunteer

The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood.

The American Red Cross has a history of denying blood donations from LGBTQiA+ identified people. While this is not in accordance with PCC’s values, blood donations are incredibly critical at this time, so please consider donating if you are able to. To find a location to donate, please visit the Blood Drive website.

The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) is seeking volunteers to help those who can’t leave their homes during this time – including our elders, those living with chronic illness, and other neighbors in the Jade District who are at high risk. Help is needed to deliver groceries, pick up supplies, assist people get their prescriptions, and more. You can sign up at the APANO website. The list will be shared with groups and community-based organizations that are doing mutual aid work around COVID-19 for our neighbors within and adjacent to the Jade District.

To volunteer to deliver food with Meals on Wheels, please visit the Meals on Wheels Volunteer Hub and sign up for a virtual orientation.