Getting back on our feet.
Thousands of workers in Alamance County are struggling to make ends meet due to furloughs, dislocations and gig cancellations from COVID-19. We've assembled some information to help our workforce bounce back stronger than ever.
Residential Rental and Utility Assistance
HOPE Program - United Way of NC
Governor Cooper and United Way of NC announced this week the HOPE (Housing Opportunity and Prevention of Evictions) Program. This statewide program offers renters in all 100 counties who have fallen behind on rent and/or utility payments due to the impact of COVID-19 the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to help with up to six months of rent and/or utility bills. Renters in North Carolina can apply for the program online www.nc211.org/hope , or if they do not have internet or need assistance with the application, they can simply dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to speak with an NC 211 Intake Specialist who will help complete the application.
Important Note: The NC 211 Intake Specialists for HOPE are available between the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. The only 24 hours access for applying for HOPE is through the on-line application. Community Partner organizations all across the state will work with applicants to complete the process and determine award eligibility and amount.
United Way of Alamance County has launched the #Help4Alamance fund to support families throughout our county and the agencies that serve them who are most impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The fund was publicly announced and launched on March 16, 2020 and we received a pledge to match up to $25,000.
Calling 2-1-1 remains the first line of defense for any family feeling the pinch of no income from COVID-19. If you or a family member have been impacted and your need support, call 211!
Calling 2-1-1 remains the first line of defense for any family feeling the pinch of no income from COVID-19. If you or a family member have been impacted and your need support, call 211!
Federal Coronavirus Aid Package - Employee Resources
Congress has passed a $2 Trillion Federal Coronavirus Aid Package that orders significant financial, tax and social tools be expanded and offered to businesses and employees throughout the country. Here are some of the highlights of the stimulus package for individuals:
- Direct payments of $1,200 to most individuals making up to $75,000, or $2,400 for couples making up to $150,000. Each dependent child increases the amount by an additional $500.
- Expanded unemployment benefits that boost the maximum benefit by $600 per week and provide laid-off workers their full pay for four months. Eligibility is extended to independent contractors and the self-employed.
- Significant enhancements to tax credits, flexibility for tapping tax-free retirement accounts, and charitable contributions
- $350 billion fund for short-term payroll protection and working capital to small and medium-sized businesses to keep people working
- $150 billion for state and local governments for Community Development Block Grant and other programs
Please review the following web summaries of the CARES Act:
National Law Review Summary
NPR CARES Act Summary
Slide Deck: Federal Coronavirus Legislation Breakdown from NC Fiscal Research Division
COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Claims
Under Governor Cooper's Executive Order #118, individuals who, as a direct result of COVID-19, are separated from employment, have had their hours of employment reduced, or are prevented from working due to a medical condition caused by COVID-19 or due to communicable disease control measures may apply for unemployment assistance immediately. Please review the How-to document in this section and review the links below to apply for unemployment assistance. COVID-19 Unempolyment Insurance FAQ Link to Apply for NC Unemployment Benefits |
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NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund
If you work in the hospitality industry and you’re struggling, apply now for relief funds. The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association's nonprofit 501(c)(3) foundation serves hospitality workers and is accepting applications for relief grants for NC-based workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Questions? Visit www.ncrestaurantreleif.com or email foundation@ncrla.org.
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
In order to qualify for grant assistance from the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program, the recipient must satisfy all of the following requirements:
- Be a Bartender or the spouse or child of a Bartender.
- Experience a catastrophic event or emergency hardship that is:
- Identifiable and described in detail in the application;
- Damaging to the person or property (e.g., loss of life, health, or property);
- Sudden and precipitous rather than gradual or progressive;
- Unexpected, unanticipated, unforeseen, unintended, or unplanned; and
- Unusual and not normally occurring in the ordinary course of day-to-day living.
- Lack the necessities of life, including financial, physical, mental, or emotional well being as a result of the catastrophic event or emergency hardship.
- Provide tangible documentation of the catastrophic event or emergency hardship
US Department of Labor
The US Department of Labor's Wage & Hour division provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act: Questions and Answers
COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act: Questions and Answers
WHD Response to COVID-19
Immediate Employment Opportunities
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina has posted a listing of several job opportunities that are available for immediate hiring consideration. If you need to get back to work right away, take a look at these opportunities:
Need a Job Right Now? Here's who's hiring in North Carolina
#AlamanceStrong
#AlamanceStrong is brought to you by a consortium of your community's economic developers, business organizations and local governments. We know that our businesses and people are as resilient as they come - and have been for 200+ years.
But we also recognize the threat this crisis poses to our jobs and long-term livelihoods in Alamance County. Our group feels that a clear, unified and supportive voice is needed now and going forward to help business owners recover from this pandemic. We are here for you.
Together we are #AlamanceStrong.
