PHILLY COUNTS Update!!

Together we are sharing important information and helping people across Philadelphia get vaccinated. Want to help us keep the momentum up? Join us for our next volunteer opportunity.

Canvassing Opportunities:

• June 26, Hunting Park 10-2 pm

• June 27, Eastwick 1-5 pm

• July 2, Upper Kensington 3-7 pm

• July 3, Hunting Park 10-2 pm

MASK & VACCINATION INFORMATION

• As of Friday, June 11, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) announced the last two Safer at Home mandates have been lifted. However, businesses may require you to wear your masks indoors.

• Teenagers aged 12-15 are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. For more information check the city’s website

• There are vaccines available for homebound older adults and people with disabilities now

• Get COVID-19 updates sent to your phone. Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive free text alerts with info and updates from @PHLPublicHealth.

• Residents with questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus can use the 24/7 helpline to talk to a medical professional. Call 800-722-7112

Vaccine & Taxes @ CEIBA

Health & Taxes @ CEIBA 174 Diamond St

Free: COVID-19 Vaccine & Tax Prep Every Wednesday in June - 2PM - 4PM

No Appointment Necessary
No Se Necesita Cita
215-426-8723 <> 215-634-7245

SKCP staff connects you to resources

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the office is closed to public visits until further notice, SKCP staff will be working remotely.

SKCP staff are specially trained to connect folks with resources related to housing, health insurance, utilities, food assistance, and other increasingly critical support, and will continue to be responsive to:

• email info@southkensingtoncommunity.org

• phone calls (215-427-3463), please be sure to leave a detailed message with your name and phone number, so we can provide you with as much service as possible in these trying times.

SIGN UP FOR THE NEIGHBOR SUPPORT TEAM

SKCP COVID 19: MORE WAYS TO HELP

PUA: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Update

For PUA claimants still experiencing issues filing for backdated weekly certifications, we are working to ensure you will be able to file for those weeks. If you have not informed us about backdating issues regarding your claim, please reach out to us at ucPUA@pa.gov with your full name and Claimant ID number.
If you have already notified us, know that we are trying to get to your questions as quickly as possible. Please do not send multiple emails as this may delay resolution of your inquiry.

In the meantime, make sure you continue to file your weekly certifications every week (Sunday through Saturday) to receive your PUA payments moving forward for those weeks.

We have created PUA System FAQs and will continue to add to them.

More details click here.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Download here the complete details.

Philadelphia has launched a new website that allows residents to search for food and meal sites around the city

• Food sites in the neighborhood

• Student meal sites in the neighborhood

• Senior meal sites in the neighborhood

Coalition Against Hunger

• SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coronavirus Testing sites for anyone with symptoms.

• Testing sites in the neighborhood:

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Click here to access the map

This tool can help you find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia.
(See our FAQ for more information about who should get tested.)

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If you are reporting on a project in the neighborhood, have questions or concerns send to: rco@southkensingtoncommunity.org

Philly 311 Hours
Philly311’s contact center remains open from 8 a.m. to 8 pm Monday through Friday and will also be open extended hours of 9 a.m. to 5 pm this weekend, May 8 and 9.
Residents can place a service request by calling 3-1-1ordialing (215) 686-8686 or through submitting service requests online.
Language translation services are available

DEADLINE SATURDAY MAY 16TH, at 5pm

Have you lost income because of COVID-19? Are you having trouble paying your rent? The City of Philadelphia might be able to help.
Funding is limited. Not every applicant will receive assistance. To apply and more details are available at PHLRentAssist.org. Renters who do not have access to the internet or a smart phone will be able to get program and application information by calling 3-1-1.

To be eligible:
• You must rent an apartment or house in Philadelphia
• You must have a valid and current written lease signed by your landlord
• You must have lost income because of COVID-19
You do NOT have to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to be eligible.

You are NOT eligible if:
• You live in public housing
• You receive other government rental assistance
(Section 8, Housing Choice Vouchers, etc.)
• You have unpaid rent from before April
• You are in the process of being evicted.

Click here for details and FAQ

if you have a problem with the application click here for help.

COVID-19 NEWS & INFORMATION

Philadelphia has launched a new website that allows residents to search for food and meal sites around the city

Find free food and meals during Covid-19 (in several languages) clicking here.
+Food sites in the neighborhood:
West Kensington Ministry, 2140 N Hancock St (Philabundance)

• Residents can get one box per household

• Eligibility: Any resident is eligible. No ID or proof of income is required

• Pickup details:
  Monday 10AM - 12PM non-perishable items only
  Thursday 10AM - 12PM fresh produce only

+Student meal sites in the neighborhood:
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School, 1901 N. Front St. (Philadelphia School District schools)

• Eligibility: All children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.

• Pickup details: Thursday 9AM - 12PM, 10 meals per child

John F. Street Community Center, 1100 Poplar St. (Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) community centers)

• Eligibility: All children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.

• Pickup details:
  Monday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
  Tuesday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
  Wednesday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
  Thursday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
  Friday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch

William H. Hunter School, 2400 N. Front St. (Philadelphia School District schools)
EligibilityAll children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.
Pickup details
Thursday9AM - 12PM10 meals per child

+Senior meal sites in the neighborhood:
Lutheran Settlement House, 1340 Frankford Ave. (PCA-supported sites call 215-426-8610)

• Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.

Northern Living Center, 827 N Franklin St. (PCA-supported sites, 215-978-1300)

• Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.

CHCS Norris Square Center, 2121 N. Howard St (PCA-supported sites 215-423-7241)

• Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.

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Coalition Against Hunger

SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Coronavirus Testing sites for anyone with symptoms.
Open to all ages: Where anyone with symptoms can get tested for coronavirus in Philadelphia. You can call for an appointment at 32 locations across the city.. [BillyPenn Staff].
Click here for more details and use the interactive map.
Testing sites in the neighborhood:
Call your doctor before visiting if you may have COVID-19. Source: CDC

• American Family Care (AFC) Urgent Care
  180 W. Girard Ave. (below Acme at 2nd & Girard), call (267) 319-8047

• 11th Street Family Health Services
  850 N. 11th St. (11th and Parrish), call (215) 769-1100

• Health Center #6
  301 W. Girard Ave call (215) 685-3800

• PHMC Health Connection
  1900 N 9th St. #104, call (215) 765-6690

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Resources for Immigrants During COVID-19:
A new blog post that highlights information and resources for immigrant and refugee communities is available on the City’s COVID-19 website, where you can find additional translated information. It also includes information about other services offered by our community partners. The resource is available in many languages. And, to make sure that it remains relevant, we will make sure to keep it updated.
You can also visit the main COVID-19 website or call 311 if you have more questions about city services. Interpretation services are available when calling 311.

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Philly COVID-19 FAQ
This site is an effort to provide easy access to accurate information and reporting that addresses the questions Philadelphians have about the coronavirus pandemic’s effects on life and work in the city. It is populated with reporting from local newsrooms across the city, and includes frequently asked questions, answers to which have been sourced from verified government sites or institutions.
We are not able to address medical or urgent questions, or those unique to your personal situation.
If you have questions of a medical nature, please call 1-800-722-7112.
If you’d like to submit a question please visit our submissions page or text COVIDphl19 to 73224.
The contents of this FAQ can be easily and cleanly embedded into your organization/company website with a simple line of code. If you’d like to make this information available to your website visitors, please contact julie@resolvephilly.org
More here.

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TRANSIT SERVICE UPDATE
Regular Schedules RESUME - Sunday, May 17/Monday, May 18, 2020
Service returns on all Bus*, Trolley, Market Frankford, Broad Street and Norristown High Speed Line Routes following the timetables in effect before the COVID-19 crisis began. FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CLICK HERE.

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 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
PUA provides up to 39 weeks of benefits to qualifying individuals who are otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of applicable state law, except that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 related reasons, as defined in the CARES Act. Benefit payments under PUA are retroactive, for weeks of unemployment, partial employment, or inability to work due to COVID-19 reasons starting on or after January 27, 2020. The CARES Act specifies that PUA benefits cannot be paid for weeks of unemployment ending after December 31, 2020.

Click here to file PUA claim and click here for PUA Claimant Guide

Philadelphia Water Department Extends COVID-19 Shutoff Freeze Through June 1

Customers unable to pay will not lose water services through June 1, 2020. This is a 16-day extension of the original postponement period, which prevented delinquent accounts from being shut off through May 15. All late fees are also being waived.
Customers who cannot pay their bill should apply for help using the application found here: Apply for Water Bill Help.

Even if you haven't qualified for help in the past, the City’s Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) provides discounted water bills based on income. Customers can also apply for a Special Hardship discount. Special Hardship qualification is decided on a case-by-case basis and may help customers who cannot pay a water bill due to loss of employment, hospitalization, and other situations.

Note: Customers should be aware of longer processing times for customer assistance applications due to limited resources for Water Revenue Bureau staff working remotely.

Get the Latest Updates at the PWD COVID-19 Website

COVID-19 INFORMATION

How Are Philadelphia Area Residents Coping With COVID-19? Take the Survey
In these difficult times, when everyone's lives are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, you can do something important for your family, friends, neighbors and community. Please take time to participate in our survey of the impacts of COVID-19. We need reliable information on the impact on work and health (physical and mental health) to effectively assess the needs of communities and support them better. Your responses will be kept confidential and anonymous.
Please clink on the link the complete the survey in English or Spanish .

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COVID-19 RESOURCES

Complete list of resources with links to the websites of the mentioned resources is available on this pdf.
On the downloaded pdf, you can click on each icon and get the corresponding website, like:

• Workforce Updates, PA CareerLink

• For Renters, Philly Tenant

• Families & Youth, Office of Children & Families

• United Way Resource Directory, United Way

• Food, Department of Public Health

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CHOP has set up a 24/7 hotline for questions and concerns about COVID-19,
call 800-722-7112.

The hotline is for anyone's use (not just cases involving children).
Get the latest information about how CHOP is responding to COVID-19.

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PA Unemployment Application Now Available for Self-employed/gig workers.

Click here for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) FAQs

COVID-19 INFORMATION: New Program Rules!

Click here for more details

Repair, Restore, Renew Program

Philadelphia Neighborhood Home Preservation Loan Program, launched in March 2019 to provide access to low-interest home repair loans for our city’s low- and moderate-income homeowners.

How is RRR responding during COVID-19?
Our community partners are working tirelessly, even in the midst of COVID-19, and are still taking applications and closing loans. At PHDC we are looking for ways to safely and responsibly conduct business, while adhering to local, state, and federal guidelines.
All homeowners want to keep their properties healthy, safe, and accessible. Please visit https://phdcphila.org/residents/home-repair/restore-repair-renew/ to see if you are eligible, and then contact PCCA or Clarifi to apply for a RRR home repair loan. They are working with clients remotely, and ready to assist you.

PCCA: 215-567-7803 or awilliams@philapcca.org
Clarifi: 215-866-5200 or rrr@clarifi.org

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.

NEED A HAND, NEIGHBOR? & Stop the Spread!

Post the flyer

"Need a hand, neighbor?"
on your front door or window

Download the flyer, English here or Spanish here.

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Many Philadelphians
are not staying home.

Print this flyer to post on your door, window, car or distribute in your neighborhood to encourage them to stay home.

FOOD RESOURCES

FOOD

• An initiative to ​boost Hispanic restaurants during the ​Coronavirus Crisis ​by marketing their availability for delivery and "take-out".
  The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC), in partnership with Finanta, Community First Fund, Widener University SBDC, and Aclamo, has created an initiative to help Hispanic-owned restaurants market their availability for takeout and delivery services called Dine Latino Take-Out Weekend, to be held April 3-5th. The open call for restaurants to sign up starts now via GPHCC’s dedicated website.

• SNAP HOTLINE: SNAP hotline and other resource for those who need and those who want to donate. Residents of Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia counties can call 215-430-0556, Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. More here.

• Where to find free, nutritious food during COVID-19. An up-to-date list of sites is available here, This map includes food sites The public is encouraged to verify sites by calling 311

• Food distributors now sell restaurant quality meat and produce directly to consumers. More here from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

• Philabundance: Get Involved
  The faces of hunger are varied and plentiful - so are the number of ways you can help. Click here for details to volunteer.

PDPH Advisory - COVID-19 Update and Guidance

March 19, 2020

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has just released a Health Advisory regarding a status update for COVID-19 in Philadelphia as well as guidance on isolation and quarantine. It is available from https://hip.phila.gov, and as a PDF document. To read this attachment, you will need the Adobe Reader software, which can be downloaded at no cost from http://tinyurl.com/6ip.
If you have any questions or problems, please contact the Philadelphia Department of Public Health at publichealthpreparedness@phila.gov.
To report a disease or condition to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, call 215-685-6748 during business hours (8:30AM to 5:00PM Monday-Friday). If the disease or condition requires immediate notification and it is after normal business hours, call 215-686-4514 and ask to speak with the contact for the Division of Disease Control.

Summary Points:

• Community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is being recognized in Philadelphia.

• Duration of isolation for infected persons may be provisionally reduced to 7 days, as per details in this advisory.

• Guidance to healthcare workers for self-monitoring and isolation/quarantine is provided.

Click here to view the document.

A message from South Kensington Community Partners

UPDATE ON COVID-19
South Kensington Community Partners is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our region. The safety and wellbeing of our neighbors and staff is of the upmost importance to our organization.

Operational Updates:

• Until further notice, the SKCP office will remain open to the public. We ask that any visitors refrain from shaking hands, hugging, or any other physical contact with SKCP staff. Additionally, we request that visitors practice good hygiene by regularly and thoroughly washing their hands and coughing or sneezing into their elbows.

• We ask that any community members in need of assistance who are experiencing cold or flu symptoms remain at home and call (215-427-3463) or email (info@southkensingtoncommunity.org) the office instead. If necessary, video conferencing arrangements can be made.

• As of today, the Census Action Day scheduled for March 21th, the Census Informational Meeting for March 23 and the Community Zoning Meeting Scheduled for March 25 will proceed as planned. Attendance at both events is anticipated to be below the 250 person threshold at which the City of Philadelphia has recommended cancellation. If you will require remote attendance accommodations due to illness or health vulnerability, please call or email the SKCP office as soon as possible.

• Any members of the public seeking to use SKCP's on-site computer will be asked to thoroughly wash their hand before and after use.

Seeking Medical Assistance:

• If you have cold or flu symptoms and are in need of medical assistance, call ahead to your medical care provider. They will provide guidance on how best to avoid potentially spreading the virus in crowded waiting rooms.

• If you are severely ill and need medical attention right away, call 911.

• A list of urgent care and health centers is available here. Again, please call ahead if you are experiencing symptoms.

• If you work in the City of Philadelphia, you are entitled to take sick leave. Many residents are entitled to paid sick leave. For more information, see this article.

Resources:

• What to Expect from COVID-19

• What you can do

• Updates on the City of Philadelphia's response

• Planning guidance for businesses and nonprofit organizations

• All City of Philadelphia COVID-19 resources

Additional Information:

• Worried about coronavirus? If your loved one is over 60.

• Coronavirus Scam Alert: Watch Out For These Risky COVID-19 Websites And Emails

• To get coronavirus coverage in your inbox every evening, sign up for The Philadelphia Inquirer Coronavirus Updates newsletter here.