covid-19 resources

Free Grab and Go Meals for Children under 18
Many schools are serving free grab and go meals during the COVID-19 outbreak. Children and teens ages 18 and younger can receive free meals at participating locations throughout the state. You can get meals from any site, click here to find one close to you.

SNAP Online Purchases Now Available in Arizona
Arizonans currently receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are now able to use benefits for online food purchases with currently-authorized SNAP online retailers, Walmart and Amazon. Click here to learn more.

Senior Meal Programs
Arizona will receive $5.3 million to support both meal delivery programs and programs serving senior centers. The grant funding from the Department of Health and Human Services is part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program
Arizona will receive $9.8 million in federal funds for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). TEFAP is a federally funded program that provides emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost to low-income individuals, including seniors. Click here for more information about TEFAP, distribution sites and eligibility.

SNAP benefits
DES submitted a request to USDA FNS to implement program changes expanding SNAP benefits and increase access to households. To date, the federal agency has authorized the following changes:

• Waiving interview requirements when determining eligibility, unless more information is needed from the applicant;
• Temporarily suspending work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents participating in SNAP;
• Increasing SNAP benefits to the maximum allotment for two months due to pandemic-related economic conditions;
• Extending certification periods by 6 months for recipients due to renew benefits in March, April and May;
• Allowing participants to purchase hot and prepared food sold in grocery stores;
• And allowing for verbal attestation in place of a signature on SNAP applications when necessary.

Arizona’s Contingency and Safety Net Fund
The Arizona State Legislature passed a budget that included a $50 million Contingency and Safety Net Fund to be spent during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Governor Ducey announced an initial $6.7 million in funding to support the following:

• $5 million will go toward assisting homeless shelters in the prevention and slowing of the spread of COVID-19.
• $1 million in immediate food bank assistance to be distributed by the Department of Economic Security to enhance existing food bank infrastructure.
• $500,000 to expand Arizona’s “Double-Up” Food Bucks program, allowing SNAP recipients to get a $1 match from the State for every $1 they spend on Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables.
• $250,000 for the Arizona Produce Purchasing Program, known as the “Farm To Food Bank” program

Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Congress passed H.R. 6201 and was signed by President Trump on March 18. Information regarding the implementation is still pending. Key nutrition assistance provisions included:

• $500 million additional funding for WIC
• $400 million for additional funding for Commodity Assistance Program for TEFAP
• Allows schools and non-school sponsors to provide meals that children can take off-site
• Children that receive free or reduced-price meals in schools are eligible for Pandemic-SNAP (P-SNAP)

The C.A.R.E.S. Act
Congress passed H.R. 748 and was signed by President Trump on March 27. Information regarding the implementation is still pending. Key provisions included:

• $15.5 billion in additional funding for SNAP
• $450 million in TEFAP funding for local agencies selected by states, such as food banks and to community action agencies to help provide low-income Americans, including seniors, with emergency food assistance at no cost
• $100 million in FDPIR funding to provide USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations, and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations and in Oklahoma

Arizona utilities response to COVID-19
Utility companies throughout the state are temporarily suspending disconnections. Wildfire partners with agencies throughout the state who continue to provide utility assistance.

City of Phoenix COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Relief
City of Phoenix has assistance available for rent/mortgage, water bills, and electricity bills. City of Phoenix residents are eligible, including if the primary applicant has refugee or asylee qualified status. Click here to learn more.

Tempe Community Action Agency offers utility assistance to Tempe and Fountain Hills residents
Help is available for Tempe and Fountain Hills residents to pay Southwest Gas, SRP, and APS bills. Click here to learn more.

Arizona Electric Utility Relief Package
Governor Ducey announced a cooperative agreement with the state’s largest electric utilities to continue to provide reliable electricity to homes, hospitals, and businesses while making sure that Arizona residents facing financial difficulties will have choice, assistance, and reliable access to electricity.

The C.A.R.E.S. Act
Congress passed H.R. 748 and was signed by President Trump on March 27. Information regarding the implementation is still pending. Key provisions included:

• • $900 million in funding for LIHEAP to help lower-income households heat and cool their homes
  • $1 billion in funding for CSBG to help communities address increasing unemployment and economic disruption, including providing housing and utility assistance, health services, and emergency support services

TANF
If you need Cash Assistance during the COVID-19 Crisis, you may be eligible for the Cash Assistance Program. Information is available in both Spanish and English.

The C.A.R.E.S. Act
Congress passed H.R. 748 and was signed by President Trump on March 27. Included are recovery rebates, also known as stimulus payment checks. The amount received will depend on your adjusted gross income from your 2019 tax return. If you haven’t filed taxes yet, the amount will be based on your 2018 tax return. Click here to learn more.

Federal and State Tax Deadlines Changed
The deadline to file and pay federal income taxes are extended to July 15, 2020. The Arizona Department of Revenue announced it would also move the deadline for filing and paying state income taxes to July 15, 2020.

MyFreeTaxes.com Offers Free Filing for Simple Tax Returns
United Way has partnered with industry leader H&R Block to help people easily and accurately file both their federal and state returns through MyFreeTaxes®. This online tool is completely free for anyone of any income who needs to file a simple return.

Stimulus Payments Outreach Resources
Did you know that millions of eligible people could miss out on their Economic Impact Payments (EIP) – commonly called “stimulus checks” – because they have to file an online form with the IRS to get it? While most people get their payments automatically after filing a tax return (or based on participation in certain federally administered programs), this group of “non-filers” must take action to get their money (worth $1,200 for adults and $500 for qualifying children). Eligible individuals have until November 21st to file for their EIP this year, so there’s a lot of work to do to get the word out. Click here to access resources.

Treasury, IRS launch new tool to help non-filers register for Economic Impact Payments
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for those who don’t normally file a tax return. Visit the IRS webpage to learn more.

Track Your Economic Impact Payment
The IRS launched a tool that allows taxpayers to input their direct deposit information to speed—and track—their payments. The IRS reminds taxpayers the information is updated once daily, usually overnight, so they only need to enter information once a day. Click here to track your payment.

FDIC Provides Options for Receiving IRS Economic Impact Payments
The FDIC is committed to supporting Americans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. You will receive an economic impact payment electronically if you qualify and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has your bank account information from a recent tax filing. If you do not have an account, many banks offer ways to open one remotely – online or through a mobile app – without going to a bank branch. As long as you have a computer or a smartphone with access to the Internet, it is easy to get started. Click here to learn more.

CDC Issues Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) banned residential evictions starting September 4 through December 31, 2020. The Governor’s Executive Order 2020-49 expired October 31, 2020.  For tenants who want to stay in their homes and extend the delay until December 31, 2020, they must provide their landlord a Declaration under the CDC Order if they have not done so already.  Click here to learn more about the process and eligiblity requirements.

Tip Sheets from Community Legal Services on the CDC Eviction Moratorium
Community Legal Services develop tip sheets for tenants navigating the new CDC Eviction Moratorim. Learn more by clicking the links below:

• Urgent Notice For All Arizona Tenants Regarding the Delay of Eviction Enforcement Under the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-49
• Important New For Arizona Tenants Who Are Receiving the Delay of Enforcement Under the Governor’s Order (expired October 31, 2020)
• CDC’s Declaration to Temporarily Halt Evictions to Prevention Further Spread of COVID-19 available in English and Spanish.
• City of Phoenix Tenants Eviction Assistance Project (TEAP) flyer

Continue reading if you need assistance staying in your home.

Mortgage Help For Homeowners Impacted By The Coronavirus
There are hardship programs in place to help homeowners who have been directly or indirectly affected by the coronavirus and are struggling to make their mortgage payments, including the Save Our Home AZ – Foreclosure Assistance program. Learn more by visiting the Arizona Department of Housing website.

Rental Eviction Prevention Assistance
The Arizona Department of Housing received $5 million for the Rental Eviction Prevention Assistance Program to help families and individuals who are facing loss of income due to COVID-19 with monthly rent assistance.

DES Housing Resources
DES Housing Resources includes a comprehensive list of assistance available throughout Arizona. Visit their website to learn more.

Maricopa County COVID Crisis Rental Assistance
Maricopa County households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic may be eligible for COVID Crisis Rental Assistance (CCRA) through the Human Services Department’s Community Services Division. Households can receive up to three (3) rental assistance payments for past due or owed rent for the months of March 2020 – December 2020. As long as there is funding available, this service will operate through mid-December 2020 and will make retroactive payments to March 2020 for eligible applicant households. Click here to learn more.

Pima County Establishes Hotline to Help With Rental Assistance During COVID-19
The Pima County Community Action Agency has a new hotline to serve those seeking aid from the COVID-19 Rental Eviction Assistance Program funded through the Arizona Department of Housing. The hotline number is (520) 724-2505, but people are asked to go online first for eligibility information and an application.

Agencies in Maricopa, Navajo, Pinal, and Yavapai Counties Offering Rental Assistance
Click here to view a list of agencies providing rental assistance through Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) CARES Act funding. No assistance through this funding is available in Gila or Apache Counties. WHEAT is the administrative agency for EFSP in these counties, as well as the Arizona State Set-Aside. Agencies may also contact WHEAT directly for information – email is best – EFSP@HungerHurts.org. This program offers:

• EFSP is for 1 month’s base rent, only, no late fees or other fees included;
• Can combine rental assistance for other fees with other funding sources;
• Rental assistance for a different month, provided by another funding source, does NOT preclude the use of EFSP funds for rental assistance;
• No income limitations or requirements;
• Client may only use EFSP for rental assistance one-time per phase;
• Agencies delivering this service may have other requirements of the Landlords, such as a W-9 to be provided;
• Spending period is through May 31, 2021 or until funds are spent.

United Way of Pinal County Rental Assistance Application
Visit the United Way of Pinal County’s website to complete the rental assistance application.

City of Phoenix COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Relief
City of Phoenix has assistance available for rent/mortgage, water bills, and electricity bills. City of Phoenix residents are eligible, including if the primary applicant has refugee or asylee qualified status. Click here to learn more.

City of Glendale Crisis Assistance Programs
The Glendale Community Action Program administers financial assistance programs for people that are experiencing a temporary crisis resulting in a loss of income or increased expenses making it difficult to meet basic needs. Click here to learn more about their rent/mortgage assistance program.

Tempe Community Action Agency – Keeping Families in Their Homes During a Crisis
TCAA’s Community Action Program offers emergency funds and short-term case management services to individuals and families who are facing an immediate crisis which impacts their housing, utilities, health, and safety. View their flyer here or visit their website for more information.

The C.A.R.E.S. Act
Congress passed H.R. 748 and was signed by President Trump on March 27. Information regarding the implementation is still pending. Key provisions included:

• • $1.25 billion for public housing authorities to ensure that current tenants remain safely and stably housed and to address increased operational costs
  • $4 billion in funding to state and local governments to support additional homeless assistance, as well as eviction and homelessness prevention activities

Continue reading if you need assistance for your small business.

Arizona Small Business Rent and Mortgage Relief Grant Program
The Governor’s Office is partnering with Local First Arizona Foundation to launch this grant program and distribute $10 million to small businesses specifically mandated to pause operations due to the pandemic. Qualified businesses only include gyms, fitness centers and studios, bars, water parks and others named in Executive Order: 2020-43. Visit Local First Arizona Foundation’s website to learn more about the application process.

How to Start a New UI Application
If you recently lost your job through no fault of your own, you may qualify to receive Unemployment Insurance Benefits payments. Visit the DES website to learn more.

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. Visit the Arizona’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Portal.

ACF announces the Arizona Undocumented Workers Relief Fund
The Arizona Undocumented Workers Relief Fund has been established by more than 20 community groups and leaders to raise funds for undocumented working families who support our economy, industries, and communities every day, but who are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits or most of the federal disaster relief funds. Click here to learn more.

Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Arizona
If you lost your job, were furloughed or your earnings were reduced, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. This resource provides general information about changes to unemployment insurance benefits. Information is available both in English and Spanish.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Congress passed H.R. 6201 and was signed by President Trump on March 18. Key assistance provisions included $1 billion for emergency grants to states for activities related to processing and paying unemployment insurance benefits, under certain conditions.

Community Legal Services
Dedicated to providing legal assistance, advice or representation, self-help materials and legal education so people can know their rights. They serve La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Yuma counties. Visit their website to learn more.

DNA People’s Legal Services
A nonprofit law firm with offices in Northern Arizona that provides free civil legal services to low-income people who otherwise could not afford to hire an attorney. Visit their website to learn more.

Southern Arizona Legal Aid
Provides quality legal services to people who would not otherwise have equal access to justice, in ways which affirm their individual and collective dignity, integrity, and power. They serve Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties. Visit their website to learn more.

COVID-19: Important Legal Information & Updates
The Arizona Bar Foundation provides legal information regarding housing, benefits, family law and more as it relates to COVID-19.

Virtual Notary Services
In partnership with Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, Governor Doug Ducey today issued an Executive Order allowing Arizonans to get documents notarized remotely, while ensuring secure and effective verification processes.The Secretary of State’s Office will begin accepting applications for online notarizations Friday, April 10. Click here to learn more.

AHCCCS Renewal Letters
During the COVID-19 National Public Health Emergency AHCCCS did not require members to renew their coverage and did not disenroll members. AHCCCS is preparing for the end of the public health emergency by sending members Medical Assistance Renewal letters. Instructions in the letter direct AHCCCS members to complete their renewal by a specific due date, actions needed to renew coverage, and the proof required to continue coverage. Members that do not complete the process will no longer receive benefits when the COVID-19 National Public Health Emergency ends. Click here to learn more.

Changes to AHCCCS in response to COVID-19
There have been many changes to Arizona’s AHCCCS Medical Assistance program in response to COVID-19. A resourse in both Spanish and English provides more information, and will be updated as new information becomes available. Some of the important changes include:

• Persons will not lose medical benefits during the pandemic;
• Testing for COVID-19 and treatment are covered services;
• Persons will not have to pay premiums or co-pays for AHCCCS medical assistance during the pandemic.

Apply for AHCCCS Medical Assistance/KidsCare
On March 17, 2020, AHCCCS submitted a request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain Medicaid and KidsCare requirements in order to ensure ongoing access to care over the course of the COVID-19 outbreak. As of March 23, AHCCCS has received federal approval to implement programmatic changes to help ensure access to health care for vulnerable Arizonans. Click here to learn more.

HealthCare.Gov Special Enrollment Period
A Special Enrollment Period allows you to sign up for health insurance outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including losing health coverage. Visit www.healthcare.gov to see if you can still get or change 2020 health coverage.

Governor Ducey Expands Telemedicine Coverage For Arizonans
Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order requiring health care insurance companies to expand telemedicine coverage for all service that would normally be covered in an in-person visit. It will remain in effect until the termination of the declared public health emergency.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Congress passed H.R. 6201 and was signed by President Trump on March 18. Key health coverage provisions ensures that all individuals, including those with private insurance, Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, VA, FEHBP, and TRICARE, as well as the uninsured, will have access to tests at no cost.

Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act (Proposition 206)
Arizona voters passed an initiative in 2017 that gives the Industrial Commission of Arizona authority to enforce and implement the Act’s minimum wage and earned paid sick time requirements.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Congress passed H.R. 6201 and was signed by President Trump on March 18. Key assistance provisions included emergency paid leave benefits for individuals that must take 14 or more days of leave from their work due to a qualifying COVID-19-related reason.

Request PPE from your local health department
Partners looking for PPE can start by making resource requests to their local county health department. Click here to find your local contact.

Medical Clinic offers free COVID-19 testing
St. Vincent de Paul launched rapid COVID-19 testing, together with CVS Health, at the nonprofit’s Virginia G. Piper Medical & Dental Clinic for the uninsured. Licensed health care providers from MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic of CVS Health, and CVS Pharmacy colleagues are staffing the testing operation. Click here to learn more.

Bilingual Information on Free COVID-19 Testing in the Phoenix Metro Area
This resources list provides testing location information throughout the Phoenix Metro Area in Spanish and English. Click here to find a location near you.

Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications
Lifeline is the FCC’s program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service, broadband Internet access service, or voice-broadband bundled service purchased from participating providers. To help keep Americans connected during the coronavirus pandemic, the FCC has temporarily waived usage requirements, recertification and reverification de-enrollment procedures, and general de-enrollment procedures, and has extended those waivers until August 31, 2020. Click here to learn more.

Coconino County and United Way of Northern Arizona’s COVID-19 Social Safety-Net Services Coalition Resource Guide
This resource guide covers Food Services, Housing Services, Emergency Cash Assistance, and more available in Coconino County. Click here to learn more.

One AZ COVID-19 Community Support & Resources Map
ONE Arizona created this map for ALL people regardless of legal status. This map has information regarding free meals for individuals and families, delivery services for seniors, medical resources, resources for people with disabilities and other tools to help you and your loved ones through this difficult time. Use this map to find resources in your area. Zoom in on your area, then click on the colored icons to learn more about each resource, including hours, what’s offered and who qualifies.

River Cities United Way
Click here to view COVID-19 resources available in Mohave County.

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Community Resources
Visit the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona website to learn more about resources available in your community.

Arizona’s emergency response to the COVID-19 outbreak
Visit the Arizona Department of Health Services website for more information on the COVID-19 response. Click on the links below to learn more:

• COVID-19 Data Dashboard
• What Everyone Needs To Do
• How to stay safe while waiting for your COVID-19 test results
• How long to stay home when you are sick with COVID-19
• COVID-19: Close Contacts

Guidance & Resources for Managing Coronavirus Risks
The Community Action Partnership in collaboration with CAPLAW, NCAF, and NASCSP complied resources for local CAA’s to learn how we can respond effectively to the changing environment.

COVID-19 Consumer Warnings and Safety Tips
The FCC has developed a COVID-19 scams page that includes tips to assist consumers with protecting themselves and their loved ones. The guide includes scam audio and a sample text hoax that was circulating.

Fear Fuels COVID-19 Contact Tracing Scams
The FCC issued a warning about the contract tracing scams as the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Local health officials in many states are using contact tracing to track cases and prevent larger outbreaks. Be aware, legitimate contact tracers will not ask for:

• Insurance information
• Bank account information
• Credit card numbers
• or payment

If a caller asks for any of the above, hang up. Contact tracers will also never reveal the identity of the person who tested positive. They will also be able to provide current local testing locations.

Center for Economic Integrity Resource List
The Center for Economic Integrity has created a list of resources for consumers, advocates, and nonprofits. Visit their website to learn more.