Hershey Early Childhood Center recently issued the following announcement.
Resources For Families Facing Coronavirus Challenges
School closures, of course, are just one part of the larger overall effects of the current coronavirus pandemic to our community. In order to guide district families that may need some additional assistance as a result of COVID-19’s impacts, the DTSD Student Services staff and the Pennsylvania Association of School Social Work Personnel have compiled a useful list of resources.
Resources
- Housing: If you have seen a reduction in pay due to COVID-19 and are struggling to make your rent, mortgage, credit card, or loan payments, contact your lender right away. Explain your situation and ask about hardship programs that may be available. Regulatory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers impacted by the coronavirus.
- Internet – reach out to an internet provider to explore discounts and low income resources. Many providers are offering waivers or lower costs. If you are already connected with an internet provider, and will struggle to pay for your internet bill, contact them and explain your difficulty paying during covid-19 and ask what they can offer.
- Comcast Internet Essentials: New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service, which is available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month plus tax. Apply by April 30, 2020. https://internetessentials.com/
- Verizon: From March 25th through April 30th, Verizon consumers with metered data plans will get 15GB added, which can be used for hotspot, smartphone, or another device. Meanwhile, Verizon unlimited customers will get 15GB of 4G LTE hotspot data added to their plan. Verizon also offers a Lifeline plan for low-income families. https://www.verizon.com/support/consumer/account/manage-account/lifeline-discount
- Cocoa Packs: Food assistance, cocoapacksenroll@gmail.com
- PA Coronavirus Health Website
- https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
- Health Care/Medical Assistance-1-866-550-4355 (may not be available at this time)
- County Assistance Office’s across the state are closed, but the link provides access info to residents. https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/DHS_details.aspx?newsid=498
- Unemployment Benefits https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/covid19.aspx
- SNAP Benefits/Food Stamps https://www.compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome
- Help Line- 1-800-692-7462
- Utility Assistance
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)https://liheappm.acf.hhs.gov/navigator 1-866-452-6152
- 2-1-1 United Way-Call: 2-1-1 http://www.pa211.org/
- Pennsylvania Utility Law Project: 717-236-9486 pulp@palegalaid.net
- Provides information, assistance, and advice on low income residential utility and energy matters.
Original source: https://www.hershey.k12.pa.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=75&ModuleInstanceID=5700&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=18195&PageID=569
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