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COVID-19: Resources for businesses; workers, job seekers, and youth; partners

*Please note that this list will be updated often. Last edit: May 27, 2021, 10:35 a.m. EST

GENERAL INFORMATION AND UPDATES ON COVID-19:

Vaccination Information

Click Here for Vaccination Information from the Allegheny County Health Department

Click Here for Statewide Vaccination Information

INFORMATION FOR BUSINESSES

Businesses have services available, as the Coronavirus impacts operations.

  • The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

  • The US Department of Labor has announced $100 million in emergency funding to address the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce. Partner4Work and its local and state partners have mobilized to access these funds as quickly as possible. DOL has other resources available to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus. Visit DOL's resource page.
  • The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) maintains a number of resources, including a definition of essential vs non-essential businesses, a work-sharing program, etc.. Visit DCED's Business Resources page for more information.
  • The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) announced the creation of the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal, which will mobilize manufacturers that are producing COVID-19-related products and supplies or can pivot to producing COVID-19-related supplies. 
  • Businesses with surge hiring needs can find workers ASAP through the new PA CareerLink COVID19 Job Portal. Employers should fill out this form to post an immediate job opening. 
  • The PA Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) has implemented a shared-work plan which will allow businesses to retain workers, allowing for a full ramp-up when full operations can resume, while preventing the financial hardship to workers caused by a layoff or shutdown. Visit this page for more information. 
  • Steel Valley Authority's Strategic Early Warning Network (SEWN) is Pennsylvania's layoff aversion agency. It is trained to assist businesses in a crisis. Visit SVA's Coronavirus resource page.
  • The US Small Business Association is providing a list of resources to help support employees, employers, and their families. 
  • The Allegheny Conference on Community Development has established a resource page with information regarding waivers, closures, resources for the community, and more. Visit the Pittsburgh Region Response page.
  • The Urban Redevelopment Authority has halted loan payments and announced emergency extended credit. Learn more at URA.
  • Governor Wolf Requests Disaster Declaration for Small Businesses and Non-Profits to Obtain Loans - Read more here.
  • Google has put together a list of helpful resources, tips, and recommendations to support business owners.
  • Pennsylvania has allocated CARES Act funding for rental assistance ($150 million) and mortgage assistance ($25 million). Applications for this assistance are now available through the PA Housing Finance Agency, available here.

If you are considering work stoppages, layoffs, or having challenges in hiring, contact Partner4Work at (412) 552-7090 or info@partner4work.org for assistance.

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INFORMATION FOR WORKERS, JOB SEEKERS, AND YOUTH

UNEMPLOYMENT AND INCOME ASSISTANCE : 

  • Unemployment - Certain workers may be eligible for unemployment compensation if their employer temporarily closes, you have been sent home to quarantine, etc. due to COVID-19.
    • Individuals should visit https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx for more information, apply for benefits, or chat with a representative.
    • The fastest way to apply is online: https://www.paclaims.pa.gov/UCEN/
    • Please be patient -- due to high demand, the UC system may experience intermittent slowness. The UC team is working hard to process claims.
    • Independent contractors, gig workers, and self-employed individuals in PA can file initial unemployment claims as made available through the CARES Act. Applicable individuals should visit the UC PUA page for more information.
  • Workers Comp - If you’re exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace, you might be eligible to receive worker's compensation. Learn more here.
  • Modest Needs is offering donations to hourly workers who won't get paid during the COVID-19 outbreak here.
  • Hebrew Free Loan Association offers loans to address lost wages, childcare costs, medical costs. 
  • Information for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) for cash assistance here; SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for food security here.
  • Gig Workers Collective - National & State resources can be found here.
  • For questions regarding Childcare services, please refer to this resource from the PA Department of Human Services.

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OTHER ASSISTANCE:

    • Information on special enrollment in the Marketplace (Obamacare) can be found here.
    • The URA anticipates that beginning Monday, March 23, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh will be operating a URA Housing Opportunity Fund-sponsored program that will help households who are struggling with rent payments due to COVID-19-related losses in work and wages. City of Pittsburgh residents can call the Urban League at (412) 227-4164.
    • The PA Housing Alliance updates a list of housing resources that includes mortgage loss mitigation and financial bridge loans, among other information.
    • Pittsburgh Financial Empowerment Centers have established resources to assist with food security, mortgage/rent assistance, utilities, and more. Visit the FEC's resources guide.
    • Port Authority will reimburse weekly or monthly passes for those who have to stay home because of job shutdowns or for those who work from home. Individuals should call the Port Authority at (412) 442-2000.
    • University of Pittsburgh students, faculty, and staff are volunteering to provide technology support to members of the public and community-based organizations. Find access to this resource here.
    • The Benefits Data Trust hotline number (844-876-5996) is available for anyone struggling with nutrition, medical, health insurance, medicare, childcare, prescription, or real estate issues. 
    • Pennsylvania has now received approval from the USDA to provide Pandemic EBT (P-EBT), a new benefit to help families whose children are missing school meals. Find more information about the program here

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JOB ASSISTANCE AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Individuals looking for immediate hiring opportunities, local labor market information, and online career services should visit Pennsylvania CareerLink

Numerous companies have immediate hiring needs including Giant Eagle, U.S. Steel, Phillips Respironics, Amazon, CVS, Familylinks, and more. All PA companies with surge job openings can be found on PACareerlink's new COVID-19 Job Portal. 

Individuals needing assistance in completing online job applications or responding to job openings should contact PA CareerLink Pittsburgh/Allegheny County for virtual employment services. Click the button below to search openings or call Downtown (412) 552-7100 or Forest Hills at (412) 436-2225 offices for help.

PENNSYLVANIA CAREERLINK 

A collaborative of providers, non-profits, and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services recently developed an application portal for people looking to help fill gaps when staff at essential human services organizations are unavailable due to exposure to COVID-19 or other emergencies during the crisis.

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INFORMATION FOR PARTNERS

  • PA CareerLink Pittsburgh/Allegheny County services are available remotely, and the team is working to develop online resources to support workers, job seekers, and partners. Please visit their Pittsburgh/Allegheny County page for more information. Partner4Work has issued guidance on electronic signatures and eligibility verification for Title I and TANF Youth services. 
  • The Pittsburgh Foundation, with other United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and other civic government entities, developed an Emergency Action Fund. It will serve as a hub for accepting donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses and distributing those funds to nonprofits on the front lines of COVID-19 response. Learn more about the fund here. See the Grant Guidelines here.
  • The National Council of Nonprofits has developed How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19.
  • The Partner4Work staff has compiled a list of valuable training resources for workforce development providers. This list will be updated on a weekly basis. Please find the current list here.

  • COVID-19 is expected to have a significant impact on nonprofit organizations. Those interested in joining the Independent Sector Policy Action Center and urging Congress for emergency aid to nonprofits by expanding charitable giving and providing organizations with grants, loans, and tax credits can take action here.

  • The CDC has released new guidelines for reopening programs and businesses. Youth program guidance can be found here (camps/programs) and here (school), and adult program and general workplace guidance can be found here

    Partner4Work will continue to gather up-to-date information regarding policy changes, emergency assistance, and other resources for our valued partners.

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About Partner4Work

Nationally recognized for innovation, Partner4Work delivers workforce solutions for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to ensure the current and future needs of businesses and job seekers are met. As stewards of more than $25 million in public and private workforce funds, Partner4Work oversees and funds workforce programs for adults, dislocated workers, and youth; educates the community through robust labor market analytics; and implements innovative solutions to the region's systemic workforce challenges. Partner4Work bridges the gap between people looking for work and companies in need of talent. More information is available at www.partner4work.org.