The SKCP Blog
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.
LIHEAP RECOVERY CRISIS PROGRAM NOW OPEN
South Kensington Community Partners
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.
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.
Apply before May 26th to request your ballot to vote by mail!!!
South Kensington Community Partners
If you haven't requested your ballot to vote by mail, don't delay - be sure to apply before the May 26th deadline. Have questions or concerns about voting by mail? Check out Committee of Seventy FAQ. Polling locations will be open on June 2nd, but due to COVID-19, many polling locations have been moved and consolidated. Check your polling place here, expect lines, and vote safely.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
South Kensington Community Partners
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:
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.)
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
Help Spread the Word About Voting By Mail: Download Free #VoteByMailPHL Artist Posters!
South Kensington Community Partners
PHILLY: Election Day has moved to June 2, and did you know that anyone in PA can now Vote By Mail? Help us spread the word, download posters for free here!
Streets Dept is very excited to partner with Jen Devor and a few Philadelphia nonprofit organizations today to launch the #VoteByMailPHL poster project to educate Philadelphians on how to exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic. The #VoteByMailPHL poster project will serve as one more tool for getting critical voting information out to Philadelphians before the June 2, 2020 primaries. Created by Jen Devor and curator Conrad Benner (aka me), this multilingual project is working with three of my favorite Philly artists to create the posters: Martha Rich, Marian Bailey, and Manuela Guillén!
Understanding art in our public space as a powerful tool for communication, the project works to encourage Philadelphians to display local artist-created posters in their window that informs their neighbors about voting by mail!
Read more here.
MASSIVE CHANGES FOR VOTERS IN 2020 ELECTIONS
South Kensington Community Partners
Philly slashes polling places, 4 in 5 will not open for the June primary. Mail-in voting is the best way to go, election officials say. [ Max Marin, BillyPenn]
Your pooling place has changed but now you can vote by mail. Click here to locate your new pooling place.
To learn how to register and vote, go to: www.votespa.com/readytovote
Eligible voters must know:
The voter registration deadline is Monday, May 18. Apply online.
Consolidated polling place lists must be final and public by May 18. Locations should be posted to VotesPA.com and to county election websites.
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, May 26. Any registered Pennsylvanian voter can vote by mail, but applications must be returned to the county election office by 5 pm on May 26. Learn more.
Absentee and mail-in ballots are due to county election officials by 8 pm on Election Day. Postmarks are not honored. **This deadline is currently being litigated and could change.**
PA vote by mail guidance video at this link in English but subtitled in Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish and Vietnamese.
YouTube All Voting Is Local videos. Final draft of VBM app and ballot guidance in Arabic here.
DEADLINE SATURDAY MAY 16TH, at 5pm
South Kensington Community Partners
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
South Kensington Community Partners
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.
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.
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) 319-804711th Street Family Health Services
850 N. 11th St. (11th and Parrish), call (215) 769-1100Health Center #6
301 W. Girard Ave call (215) 685-3800PHMC Health Connection
1900 N 9th St. #104, call (215) 765-6690
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.
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.
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.
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
South Kensington Community Partners
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
PHDC & IMPACT LOAN FUND ANNOUNCE PILOT TO HELP SMALL LANDLORDS
South Kensington Community Partners
PHDC announces its Small Landlord Rental Improvement Fund (RIF) pilot program in partnership with Impact Loan Fund. RIF assists landlords with fewer than 10 rental apartments. The purpose of RIF is to improve and repair units and stabilize the supply of affordable rental housing in the City.
RIF can make loans from $10,000 to under $25,000 for landlords to improve their rental units to address health and safety-related repairs. Participating landlords must maintain affordable rents for the term of the loan, meet fair housing guidelines, and have a rental license.
The first phase of this pilot program will take place in the following zip codes:
19120, 19122, 19124, 19125, 19133, 19134, 19137, and 19140.
More details click here Click and how to complete the Intake Application.
Requirements for resuming construction activity in Philadelphia
South Kensington Community Partners
As you know, today Mayor Jim Kenney announced an Executive Order that authorizes construction activity, previously shut down by emergency order, to resume on May 1st. Significant restrictions must be in place on construction sites to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
Under the Executive Order, construction work cannot proceed within any occupied dwelling unit or within shared common areas of a multi-family residential building. No underpinning, demolition of attached structures, or other work that requires the support of an existing party wall may take place.
More information is available from a blog post on the homepage of the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) website. The post will be kept updated and FAQs will be added to L&I’s site.
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 p.m Monday through Friday and will also be open extended hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m this weekend, May 8 and 9.
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.
STAY SAFE! VOTE FROM HOME
South Kensington Community Partners
PA Voter Registration
Deadline May 18
Make sure you register to vote
Click here for information How can I vote from home?
Important Dates
MAY 18: Deadline to Register to Vote
MAY 26: Last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
JUNE 2: ELECTION DAY and Last day for County Boards of Elections to receive voted mail-in and civilian absentee ballots.
Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2020 primary election in Philly
A cheat sheet for being informed when you vote, by BillyPenn.
Street Tree Applications available now
South Kensington Community Partners
In compliance with distancing guidelines, Old/South Kensington Tree Tenders Spring Community Tree Planting has been postponed until sometime in the Fall. Other maintenance and care activities have likewise been put on pause.
We will let you know more and try to keep you inspired as information becomes available. Until then we are planning for the future, and Taking Applications for ADDITIONAL TREES to be planted in the Fall. Get in touch with your questions, ideas or If you would like to see trees on your block contact us by May 17th, at greening@southkensingtoncommunity.org
or by calling 215-370-0099
Check out this article on the Coolest, Oldest, and Most Storied Philadelphia Trees.
What are the coolest, oldest, most storied, or just your favorite trees in our neighborhood? It could be a street tree, a park tree, or in your yard.
Send a picture and some details and thoughts to greening@southkensingtoncommunity.org
COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program
South Kensington Community Partners
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!
COVID-19 INFORMATION
South Kensington Community Partners
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 .
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
