Pennsylvania to resume work-search rule for jobless benefits

Marc Levy, AP News

Pennsylvania will resume work search requirements in July for hundreds of thousands of people receiving unemployment compensation, a top Wolf administration official said Monday. The requirement will affect all unemployment programs, including unemployment compensation and its extension, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, the department said. The work-search requirement means people receiving unemployment benefits must apply for two jobs and complete one work-search activity from an approved list of seven options each week, such as attending a job fair, take a pre-employment test or post a resume or search for jobs in the state’s PA CareerLink system.

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Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

More details here.

2020 Real Estate Tax due date policy

To offer relief to Philadelphia homeowners during the COVID-19 coronavirus emergency, the City of Philadelphia has moved the 2020 Real Estate Tax due date to June 15, 2020.

Similarly, the Department has extended the deadline to apply for an installment payment plan for 2020 Real Estate Tax. All senior citizens over the age of 65, and eligible low income homeowners can apply for this installment plan by June 15, 2020.

For more information about applying for a Real Estate Tax installment plan, please visit:

http://www.phila.gov/real-estate-relief

LIHEAP RECOVERY CRISIS PROGRAM NOW OPEN

Low-income customers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and have a past-due bill may be eligible for up to $800 through LIHEAP’s (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Recovery Crisis Program.
Visit pgworks.com/crisis for details.

The LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Program is open to renters and homeowners through August 31, 2020, or until funds run out, and do not have to be repaid.

APPLY ONLINE

If a PGW customer received a LIHEAP grant this past winter (fall 2019 - winter 2020) they can call 215-560-1583 to apply over the phone and verbally request the new crisis assistance.

Customers can also print and mail application to:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
1348 W. Sedgley Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19132-2498
Download an Application – English / Spanish

Service termination notices are not required for customers to be eligible for the additional LIHEAP grants, which are administered by DHS and made possible by the U.S. CARES Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The grants are available to both renters and homeowners and do not have to be repaid. Apply now while funds are available.

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Today (Friday 8th) the City of Philadelphia announced its COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program aims to help people who have lost income because of COVID-19 pay their rent. Please note that funding is limited. Not everyone who applies can be served.
The City will begin accepting applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 10 a.m. The deadline to apply is Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 5 p.m.
Applications are available through PHLRentAssist.org. Residents without internet access or a smart phone can get program and application information by calling 311.
To be eligible, renters must:

• Rent an apartment or house in Philadelphia

• Have a valid and current written lease signed by landlord

• Have lost income because of COVID-19

• Meet income guidelines

Renters do not have to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to be eligible.
Renters are NOT eligible if they live in public housing or receive other government rental assistance (Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers, etc.)
Help us publicize this important program!

• Share PHLRentAssist.org with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, contacts, and anyone else you can think of

• Download our fliers and distribute them far and wide

• Have a suggestion about who we could reach out to? Send it to us at info@phdc.phila.org, or just share our website, press release, and/or blog.

On behalf of our Philadelphia neighbors in need – thank you!