Community Economic Resources
Community ResourcesCommunity resources and funding assistance
Access all of the resources you need to support yourself, your family, and your community are critical during these challenging times. Public benefits, resources and services are designed to respond to the needs of the community. When you access benefits and services, don’t worry that you’re taking resources away from someone else in need.
Wildfire Support and Resources
We honor the many people working hard to save communities and offer resources to help victims and evacuees. If you can, please consider contributing to one of these social support services.
Check out our list of resources about staying safe, and supporting each other in this latest crisis.
The wildfires we have experienced have been devastating. To bring resources to one, easy to navigate location, we have begun compiling links to various sites, checklists and articles.
COVID Economic Support
A large list of resources by category for the Portland area
This list is being updated by Congressman Earl Blumenauer and his team in Portland, Oregon.
If you need food
If you need help paying for food, SNAP can help. You can apply online and do not need to go into a DHS office. During this public health event, flexibility has been increased and there are new ways to purchase food. Many community resources are also available to help. See Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon’s COVID-19 webpage to find out more, including updates about SNAP benefits, nutrition services offered through K-12 school districts, and Oregon Food Bank’s Find Food Page. If you have questions about SNAP or your application, you can contact cp@pcc.edu[opens in new window] to find out if a DHS SNAP Navigator might be able to assist.
If your employment has been impacted
See Oregon Employment Department’s COVID-19 webpage to find out about the increased flexibility and expansion of who can qualify for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits due a job loss, temporary layoff, or loss in work hours. Individuals may qualify when an employer stops operation for a short period of time, during a quarantine, or when caring for a sick family member. To file a claim, visit the Oregon Employment Department website and click “File Your New Claim” or call 877-345-3484. OED has also put together a resource list for employers, workers, and job seekers [pdf].
If you have contracted COVID-19 while at work, contact the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services for information on filing a workers’ compensation claim related to coronavirus. They can also be contacted at 800-452-0288 or workcomp.questions@oregon.gov.
If you need childcare
The Employment-Related Day Care program (ERDC) helps eligible low-income families pay for child care while they are working. Copays have been reduced to $0, and income eligibility has expanded. To apply, you can use the same online application to apply for ERDC as you do for SNAP and TANF. 211Info also can help, providing information on how to apply and find childcare.
If you need work
WorkSource has services available for job seekers. See the COVID-19 updates to find out about virtual services and resources available. There is also a shortage of Oregon child care providers. The state of Oregon is rapidly screening home child care providers. To apply, call 211; your name and phone number will be recorded, and you will be contacted with information about paperwork and training.
If you need an emergency grant
If you need an emergency grant as a PCC student funds may be available through the PCC Foundation’s Overcoming Barrier Grant.
Oregon Economic Development Association – Assisting Businesses with Coronavirus Impact
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
If you need help finding resources or services
211info can help you find community resources, including social and health services. Hours are 7 days per week, 8am-11pm.
- CALL 211 or 1-866-698-6155
- TEXT your zip code to 898211 (TXT211)
- EMAIL help@211info.org
If you need health insurance or care
See the Oregon Health Authority webpage to find out more information on how to apply for the Oregon Health Plan, find private plans sold on HealthCare.gov, or find healthcare providers. These options can help when you lose coverage, do not get health insurance through an employer, or qualify for additional coverage. There are special options for COFA islanders, members of tribes, and small businesses.
Many different agencies and organizations are responding to the economic crisis we are all facing, due to the pandemic. We hope that these resources will help during this difficult time.
If your power and water service might be shut off
During the outbreak, power and water services will not be shut off, regardless of ability to pay. Oregon’s largest utilities companies, Pacific Power, Portland General Electric (PGE) and Northwest Natural, announced on March 12 that they will be temporarily extending services without late fees to support Oregonians due to the outbreak of COVID-19. For help paying utility bills, contact 211Info to find community-based organizations and/or resources that can help.
If you might be evicted
Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler announced Tuesday, March 17 that they have signed emergency orders that ban eviction of tenants who can’t pay rent due to COVID-19-related challenges. You can also reach the Renters Rights Hotline at 503-288-0130 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 1 – 5pm, and on Tuesdays, 6 – 8pm. The hotline is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and usually returns calls within one or two days.
If you need help with housing and shelter
You can access a complete list of Oregon Shelters on the Homeless Shelter Directory website. Many are emergency shelters, along with general homeless shelters and some transitional housing opportunities. Please note that many of these shelters now have waiting lists. Please call before going to them. If you need help with rental assistance or other services to help with housing insecurity, contact 211 to find out what services are available.
If you need an internet connection or technology
Learn more about your internet service provider and mobile carrier options. If you have a technology need as a PCC student, given the move to virtual instruction, funds may be available to purchase technology through the PCC Foundation’s Overcoming Barrier Grant. Additionally, let us know about your remote technology needs to get in contact with staff who can support with access to a computer, wi-fi, or other remote resources.
If you are on SNAP and want extra support
If you are on SNAP and interested in support to reach your college and career goals, along with financial assistance to help with tuition, fees, books, and transportation, find out more about STEP. With the move to remote instruction and the added challenges resulting from COVID-19, we have increased capacity to assist students who are pursuing transfer pathways, general studies, and more. Students who need extra support to stay enrolled in courses, want help navigating resources, need assistance finding new employment, or are grappling with loss of work should email cp@pcc.edu[opens in new window] or call 971-722-6218 to hear about options.
MRG Foundation COVID Community Response Fund
MRG Foundation is releasing $300,000 and gathering other financial resources to provide flexible resources to groups in our region led by and working with the communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the social and economic consequences of this outbreak. They are not asking for applications or reports. They will direct one-time operating dollars to current MRG grantees and partners— and groups around the state that have deep roots in and strong organizing experience within our communities.
Eligibility: Organizations that address systemic inequities and whose work focuses on both organizing most-impacted communities at this time, and anticipating the long-term effects of the outbreak.
Learn more: https://www.mrgfoundation.org/
Oregon Community Recovery Fund
Oregon Community Foundation is accepting applications for financial support. The criteria is being created and may be updated periodically. They are inviting applicants to apply whether they meet the current priorities or not, to help them better understand the need.
Eligibility: organizations across Oregon and in Clark County
Learn more: https://oregoncf.org/grants-
Worksystems Layoff Aversion Funds
Worksystems is making $200,000 in funds available to help avert imminent layoffs or furloughs as a result of the COVID-19 economic crisis, or to bring back workers who have been laid off or furloughed as a result of the COVID-19 economic crisis. Layoffs or furloughs must have happened after March 15, 2020 or be otherwise imminent. Maximum of $10,000 per application, one application per organization. Eligibility: 501(c)3 nonprofits with services available in Washington County and/or Multnomah County.
Learn more and request funds: https://www.worksystems.org/
U.S. Small Business Association Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan (potentially grant)
Money the federal government is putting into our economy through small businesses to help us ensure people get paid salaries and for contract work. The loans will be administered through the U.S. Small Business Association. Eligibility. To be eligible for the PPP you must be a small business, sole proprietor, or non-profit that has fewer than 500 employees. You must have been in business prior to February 15, 2020. And you generally need to (or expect to) experience negative effects from COVID-19 on your organization or business.
Learn more: https://www.sba.gov/funding-
U.S. Small Business Association Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
This U.S. Small Business Association program will seek to match the turn-around times seen after Hurricane Katrina: approval within 3 days and funding within 1 month for loans up to $2 Million dollars. Repayment plans based on organizational need.
Eligibility: Small businesses or private non-profit organizations must have sustained economic injury and be located in a disaster declared county or contiguous county.
For more information or to apply: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/
Portland Small Business Relief Fund
The Portland Small Business Relief Fund will provide grants and no interest loans to support Portland small businesses experiencing hardships related to COVID-19. Prosper Portland hopes to offer $1 million of available funding to impacted community businesses through these emergency relief grants to provide immediate relief by helping business owners retain their businesses and their employees as a bridge of support before additional state and federal resources become available in the coming months. Note the application is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and simplified Chinese.
Learn more and apply: https://prosperportland.us/
COVID-19 Response other opportunities
How to find food assistance in Oregon during COVID-19
Partners for a Hunger-free Oregon has created a list that they are updating as often as possible here: https://oregonhunger.org/
Gresham small business emergency grant program
Non-Profit Fundraising: Live Webinars and On Demand Recordings
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