COVID-19 Resources
FIWB hopes you are all healthy and well. However, we recognize the impact this global health crisis is having and will continue to have, in our communities—and that the resulting social and economic hardships will be both immediate and long-term. We have begun to collect a number of resources to support COVID-19 related hardships and needs. We will continue to add this this page as more resources are gathered. If you have any resources you are interested in sharing please fill out the contact form below.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) act Summary Presentation - PDF
FIWB has prepared these slides in response to one of the common themes that emerged in our brief survey of FOCs: that there’s a near-constant barrage of news and information, with policies, guidance, conditions, etc. changing almost by the day, and it can be difficult to sift through everything and discern what’s real and relevant and for whom. With this deck we attempt to summarize some of the key new policies and resources that are most relevant to FOC clients and coaches (e.g. the economic impact payments, unemployment assistance, housing relief). This summary’s primary audience is frontline FOC staff, and we hope it will be useful as an explainer to help answer questions, manage expectations, and navigate resources with FOC clients.
Please note, this document represents LISC’s best attempt to understand and summarize the myriad of resources and guidance out there, based on publicly-available information as of 4/13/2020. We expect that things will continue to evolve, and we’ll attempt to update the slides periodically as new information emerges.
Navigating Financial Impacts of COVID-19 - PDF
This list of external resources prepared by LISC this is a quick cheat sheet of resources of tools and resources relevant to supporting Financial Opportunity Center® program officers, staff, and clients. This includes information on Unemployment Insurance, housing, medical insurance, and more.
IRS webpage for the economic impact payments
This IRS site now links directly to the FDIC webpage that can help unbanked consumers find banks that will open accounts for them online, in some cases, even with a $0 balance. They can then return to the IRS site and enter their account number to receive their payment quickly and safely. We hope that this will help make it easier for more people to get into the mainstream banking system when the importance of being banked is becoming more acute.
13 Steps to take if you've lost your job due to COVID-19
A helpful list of action steps created by Bankrate Smart Money for those who have been financial effected by the Coronavirus.
Surviving Debt: Expert Advice For Getting Out of Financial Trouble -"While coronavirus (COVID-19) is primarily creating a health emergency, it is also causing financial havoc for the most vulnerable American families. The National Consumer Law Center remains focused on advocating for consumers and their financial welfare, and helping you do the same. By offering free resources and discounts on new subscriptions, the Publications team hopes to help facilitate your advocacy on behalf of consumers."
Unemployment Insurance
Compilation of state workforce agency COVID-19 guidance - (including unemployment insurance guidance) from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.
Self-employed/ Entrepreneurs / Small Business
Summary of COVID-19 Relief Resources for Small Business- This deck was created by FIWB team in an attempt to provide a summary of resources available as of April 15, 2020.
Tax Preparation
Alternative Tax Preparation Options from Prosperity Now - Compilation of resources, including guidance for Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA), Virtual Intake, COVID-19 messaging templates, webinars and presentations.
The Food and Nutrition Services
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) works to end hunger through the administration of 15 federal nutrition assistance programs, including WIC, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and school meals.
Food Planning During the Coronavirus Pandemic- During a pandemic, you may be taking extra precautions to keep you and your family safe and prepared, including making sure you have everything you need at home. This guide contains information on food planning, including what to buy, how much to buy, and preparation tips: | For solutions to feeding children impacted by COVID-19, email feedingkids@usda.gov.
SNAP State Directory of Resources - To apply for benefits, or get information about SNAP, contact your local SNAP office by selecting your state on the map and using the contact information. Each state has its own application form. If your state’s form is not on the web, you'll need to contact your local SNAP office to request one. FNS headquarters does not process applications.
SNAP State by State COVID-19 Waivers- USDA intends to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve program participants across the 15 nutrition programs. We have already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants. Select from the the list to see all of the COVID-19 waivers issued for your state from SNAP.
SNAP Emergency Allotments to Current SNAP Household- State by state emergency allotments.
State Guidance on Coronavirus Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)- Communication to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) State Agencies. As a result of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, children who would receive free or reduced price meals, if not for school closures, are eligible to receive assistance under this provision. USDA is providing guidance to state agencies on plan requirements in order to receive approval. (Guidance for States on Pandemic EBT)
Food Pantry
Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200+ food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies. Find Your Local Food Bank by Zip Code or State
Internet Connection
Affordable Connectivity Program - The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. If your household is eligible, you can receive:
- Up to a $30/month discount on your internet service
- Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
LISC/ Accenture Online Learning resource
Looking for online or distance-learning resources? LISC FOCs have access to the Accenture Learning Exchange (free of cost), which offers over 100 career and financial education courses, some of which can be used for self-directed participant learning and accessed by either smartphone or computer! For more information about the platform watch our most recent webinar series.
Ready to start?
Submit an interest form to jguzman@lisc.org
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a non-profit that provides an online platform for remote learning. They have hundreds of educational courses for grades k-12.
Join as a “teacher” | Guide & Video on how to set up your classroom for remote learning using Khan Academy
KET Education
KET (Kentucky Educational Television) has developed a set of online ABE courses contextualized to several industries, with courses available at $20 each for individual/independent learners or $12/seat for learning institutions. This is great for Bridges ABE contextualized materials.
FOC Operations
E-signature solutions - A number of services provide businesses the ability to have clients sign documents electronically docusign, Hellosign, eversign, signmee, signnow, sign request. All have a free trial. Click here to see cost comparisons.
Fillable FFT forms - A number of forms commonly filled out by clients such as the intake form and budget or balance sheet are available as fillable PDF files or excel files. Click here or navigate to our Salesforce page to access these forms.
Resources for Specific Populations
Undocumented - A google spreadsheet with listings of nationwide resources as well as state by state resources.
Reentry- The Council of State Governments - Justice Center has put together a collection of resources for practioners that work with the reentry population as well as information for clients
Disability- Workforce GPS has created a compilation of resources for people with disabilities and employment