Philadelphia has a new law to prevent "We Buy Houses" scams!

Provide homeowners with a Homeowners Bill of Rights in advance, which you can find at tinyurl.com/HomeSaleRights

For more info, visit www.clsphila.org/home-scams

Community Legal Service renters survey

The results will help Community Legal Services (CLS)
better represent and advocate for renters.
Fill the survey at https://buff.ly/3zQri1O

Utility Shutoff Information

• Need Help Paying Your Electric Bill?
  PECO's Customer Assistance Program can help!

• Need Help Paying Your Gas Bill?
  PGW's Customer Responsibility Program can help!

• What is a Neighborhood Energy Center?
  Neighborhood Energy Centers serve as “one-stop-shops” for all energy services and provide a comprehensive approach to energy problems for low to moderate-income consumers

• Need Help Paying Your Water Bill?
  Apply for the Water Department's Tiered Assistance Program!

• DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR HEAT?
  THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) CAN HELP: online or Call the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095 to request an application.

• Are You Struggling to Afford Internet Access?
  Comcast Internet Essentials
  Other Internet Options - Pre-Paid Internet Service
  PHL ConnectEd
  Find free public WIFI at: https://tinyurl.com/wifiphilly

Download the Energy Information Packet [pdf] for answers to What, Who, How and links + tips.

For more information on applying to assistance programs, visit www.clsphila.org/services/utility-bills/

Need Health Insurance?

If you are not working because you are on leave, on layoff, or have lost your job, you should look at the following options for health care for yourself and your family. You should secure coverage within 60 DAYS of when you lose coverage through your employer, or you will lose the opportunity to get affordable benefits through the "Marketplace" until the end of the year.

You can get help making this complicated decision!
Call the Pennsylvania Health Access Network at 877-570-3642 for counseling.

Click here for more details.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Get COVID-19 updates sent to your phone:
  -Text COVIDPHL to 888-777

• City Provides Update on COVID-19, click here.

• PA Provides Updates on Covid-19, click here.

• Philadelphia Department of Public Health announced activation of the Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline.
  The Helpline can be reached by calling 1-800-722-7112

COVID-19 UPDATES

311 Extended Hours

• Philly311’s contact center remains open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m Monday through Friday and will also be open extended hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m the following two weekends on April 18 and 19 and April 25 and 26.

• Residents can place a service request by calling 3-1-1 or dialing (215) 686-8686 or through submitting service requests online. Language translation services are available.

Flushing Wipes Could Cost You, Damage Infrastructure [PWD] More details here.

• Due to a flood of sanitary wipes at the city’s three Water Pollution Control Plants and 19 pumping stations, we are calling on residents to stop flushing anything other than toilet paper along with bathroom waste.

WEAR A MASK!

• Who should be tested, where you can get a test, click here [phila.gov] [pdf]
  Nearby test site: American Family Care (AFC) Urgent Care, 180 W. Girard Ave. (below Acme at 2nd & Girard)

• Going to a Pennsylvania business that remains open during the pandemic? Health Secretary Signs Order Providing Worker Safety Measures to Combat COVID-19

• CDC - Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19. The CDC provides three ways to make masks, including a sewn mask, a no-sew design from a T-shirt, and a design with a bandana here. Use the Inquirer's simple template to make a face mask at home.

NEARBY FOOD DISTRIBUITON for SENIORS, STUDENTS & FAMILIES

The city added two new sites to the locations providing meals for children on Mondays and Thursdays. More here.

• In the neighborhood: West Kensington Ministry, Kensington CAPA and John F. Street Center.

Free meals for seniors during COVID-19. Details here.

• In the neighborhood: CHCS Norris Square Center, Lutheran Settlement House, Northern Living Center.

FAMILY HEALTH & LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Resources for Babies.

• The Department of Public Health, along with the Office of Children and Families, announced nine community sites where caregivers of infants can find free baby supplies—including diapers. A list of the sites available here.

• Philadelphia Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program provides eligible caregivers with an EBT card they can use to purchase food, diapers and formula. To enroll in Philadelphia WIC residents can apply online, email phillywic@northwic.org, or call 215-978-6100.

• Breastfeeding support is available virtually through Pacify–a free, mobile app that gives on-demand access to professional lactation (breastfeeding) experts. Moms should use the enrollment code ‘Philly.’

PCCY’s HealthWatch Helpline Is Available To Help. Does your child need insurance now! Call 215-563-5848x17

• PCCY Helps Families Get Health Insurance in Every Language.
  How To Get Health Insurance For Your Child and You. More details here.

Philadelphia Legal Assistance [PLA resources]

• Philadelphia Legal Assistance Has Launched a Free UC Application Service Hotline! The number is 215-999-6910.

Community Legal Services [CLS]: Resources for COVID-19.

• You can get help over the phone for all cases we handle by calling 215-981-3700

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Information and resources for workers impacted by COVID-19,
click here [phila.gov].

Get your benefits: How to navigate PA’s overloaded unemployment system. [BillyPenn]

• It could be a month before gig workers receive any funds.
  More details here,

How to Select Your "Reason for Separation" in Unemployment Compensation Applications During the Coronavirus Crisis. [PLA]

• Unemployment Compensation and COVID-19. Details here.