This page contains a list of local resources and important information available during the COVID-19 outbreak. We will update this page as new information becomes available.
Esta página contiene una lista de recursos locales e información importante disponible durante el brote de COVID-19.
Last Update: 5/18/2020
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- Food
- Housing/Utilities
- Medical
- Technology
- Transportation
- Unemployment
- Other Bills
- Information about COVID-19
Food
Governor Jay Inslee issued a “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order on March 23rd prohibiting all activities that are not considered essential for two weeks. Regarding food resources and nutrition services, he said: ” We want to remind people that the food supply operations — including hunger relief and nutritional support services — are essential services that will remain open and operational through this crisis; this order does not ban people getting access to food.”
Local Food Banks are highlighted here, for a detailed list please reference the PDF at the bottom of this page.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Family Emergency Assistance Program – Governor Inslee has directed the state Department of Social and Health Services to expand eligibility for the Family Emergency Assistance Program to include families without children.
- Puyallup School District: 5 day supply of breakfasts and lunch available to all students 0-18. Pick Up is on Mondays between 11-noon.
- Puyallup Food Bank is still open, operating with modifications to observe Social Distancing.
- Nourish Pierce County has several Food Banks still operating, you can see locations here
- St. Francis House will be offering “dinner in a bag” between 4-5PM weekdays. Address: 322 7th St SE, Puyallup, WA 98372
- Salvation Army- Puyallup Valley Corps: Hot Meals in To-Go boxes will be available between 12- 1PM on Weekdays. Address: 4009 9th Street S.W., Puyallup
- Tacoma Rescue Mission: Breakfast is served daily 7:00-8:00 am, dinner is served daily from 5:00-6:00 pm, located at 425 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98402. Call 253-383-4493. They also have clothing and shelter resources. See their website at trm.org
- Pierce County Food Distribution Sites: See all sites here
- The Food Bank located on the campus of Holy Disciples is open Mondays and Fridays from 10AM-1:30PM and on Wednesdays 2:00-6pm. Address: 10425 187th Street E. Puyallup, WA 9837. No Prior Paperwork Needed.
- Angel One Foundation has their normal food pick up from 3:00-5:00 pm at Meridian Habitat Park on Fridays. Because of social distancing, they are requiring that people pick up the food from a vehicle.
Housing/Utilities
- Jay Inslee announced a 30 day moratorium on evictions of residential tenants as of March 18th. https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces-relief-for-businesses-workers-renters-and-more-in-response-to-covid-19-outbreak-c09c13a02690
- Share and Care House: This program is intended to provide rental assistance to help households maintain existing housing due to circumstances related to COVID-19 (e.g. loss/reduction of employment, quarantine, etc.). Households must be at or below 50% AMI and must live in Pierce County, outside the boarders of the City of Tacoma (the City will be launching a similar program for residents inside city limits). This program will launch on April 1. Interested participants can contact Share & Care House directly at either 253-841-8886 ext. 800 or COVID-RA@shareandcarehouse.org.
- Puget Sound Energy:
- PSE will not be disconnecting customers during this time.
- PSE received approval from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission for a waiver that allows PSE to waive late fees.
- PSE will work with our customers on options such as payment plans and choosing a new bill due date.
- PSE launched a new energy assistance portal to improve access to funds available to low income customers.
Medical
- MultiCare is currently offering free e-visits to anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms through our Virtual Care, where our providers will also help you navigate to the next appropriate step, if testing for COVID-19 is warranted. Use promo code “COVID19” at the payment page to unlock the free e-visit after completing our protocol.
- CHI Franciscan is providing free e-visits for people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Visit https://franciscanvirtualcare.org/landing.htm and enter discount code COVID19 to waive $35 fee.
- A special enrollment period is available through April 8th for Washington Apple Health, you can see if you qualify here.
- In case of a dental emergency, visit https://www.smilegeneration.com/ Do NOT go to an Emergency Room, visit to find nearest location.
- Community Health Care is offering free COVID-19 tests for people in different high risk populations.
- FamilyWize has a discount card you can use to reduce the cost of prescription medication.
- Care Net is still offering baby supplies and parent support.
Technology
- Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit www.internetessentials.com for more information.
- En Español: es.internetessentials.com, 1-855-solo-995
- Also available is a low cost computer for $150+tax (https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19)
- Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. (https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more)
- T-Mobile: We’re increasing the data allowance for free to schools and students using our EmpowerED digital learning program to ensure each participant has access to at least 20GB of data per month through May 13, 2020 and all T-Mobile customers as of March 13, 2020 who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming).
- Verizon: Verizon will waive late fees and overage charges for 60 days from March 16 to May 13 for customers who let us know they are unable to pay as a result of economic hardship due to the pandemic, and we will not terminate service to those customers.
- AT&T: Will not terminate the service of any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer because of their inability to pay their bill due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Will waive any late payment fees that any wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customer may incur because of economic hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Transportation
- Sound Transit (ST Express bus, Link light rail, Sounder train) Fare suspension: Starting on Saturday, March 21 Sound Transit will suspend fare requirements on buses and trains until further notice https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/service-alerts/temporary-fare-suspension-service-reductions-0
Unemployment
- The Washington State Employment Security Department has programs designed to help individuals and employers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. They have an easy-to-read comparison guide listing some of the most common scenarios that may occur and benefits that may apply. More information for workers and businesses here: esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19.
- Bankrate put together 13 Steps to Take If You’ve Lost Your Job
Other Bills
- The deadline to file taxes has been extended to July 15, 2020. Read more on the IRS website here.
- Student Loans Relief: Read more from the Department of Education.
- Answers to Coronavirus-related Legal Concerns: https://covid19.wearelegalshield.com/legal
Information About COVID-19
If you are looking for specific information regarding COVID-19, please visit:
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
- Washington State Department of Health
- Centers for Disease Control
- Puyallup School District‘s COVID-19 Response
