PUENTE COMMUNITY RESOURCE LIST [COVID-19]
The following is a community resource document with information on medical resources, free meals for families and children, and information on USCIS appointments and detention facilities. Our team is working on updating this daily to incorporate all organizations, institutions, and communities offering support for ALL people regardless of conviction or legal status.
Not in need of resources, but able to give time or money and looking to help others? Check out a guide to volunteering, donating and providing mutual aid here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MORTGAGES, AUTO LOANS AND CREDIT CARDS
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Community health centers accept most insurance plans and also offer services on a Sliding Fee Scale, based on your income, if you are uninsured. Find one near you using the map here: https://www.aachc.org/communityhealthcenters/map/
TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY
- Drink lots of water
- Avoid being in direct contact with each other
- Get sunshine. It is still ok to go for a walk or do individual exercise.
- Do not go to the ER or doctor if you have a cold or flu. You are more at risk for coming into contact with other germs or viruses.
WHEN TO GO TO THE ER
- When you are having trouble breathing
- When you have a fever that cannot be controlled (by Tylonol)
BANNER HEALTH DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 TESTING
- Info listed is sourced from AZCentral.com
- “3 Sites in Phoenix, 1 in Tucson
- Patients do not need a doctor's order, but they will need to speak by phone with a Banner clinician before being scheduled for a testing appointment.
- Phoenix-based nonprofit Banner Health isn't publicly sharing the addresses of the sites: Patients need to call ahead. People who arrive at a testing site without an appointment won't be tested, officials said.
- The phone number to call is 844-549-1851 to speak with a clinical team member to determine if testing is appropriate.
- Line is staffed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon-Thurs and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.”
CHILDCARE
If you’re being required to work, you can register with the state of Arizona to get priority access to childcare as well as financial support with paying for childcare. Use this form.
You can also call 1-800-308-9000 Monday-Friday 8am-6pm & Saturday 8am-Noon for helping finding childcare and paying for it.
Finally, you can use this map to find childcare near you.
Note that this site and form do not appear to be available in Spanish - unclear if the hotline is bilingual
Other options:
- Valley of the Sun YMCA is providing emergency childcare through April 3. Locations in Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale/Peoria, Northwest Valley, Scottsdale, Southwest Valley. Call (602) 404-9622.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley is open to current members as well as the families of healthcare workers, first responders etc. Info here: http://bgcmp.org/updates/
FREE FOOD FOR ANYONE
You can find food banks near you, along with hours and contact information, through the Arizona Food Bank Network. This information is also available on the One Arizona community resource map.
FREE MEALS FOR KIDS
- Most school districts are offering free meals for kids. You can find one near you using the map here. This info is also available on the One Arizona community resource map.
HELP FOR SENIORS
- Seniors who need help with groceries, meals, household tasks, etc should call the 24 hour hotline from the Area Agency on Aging: 602-264-HELP (4357) (help available in English or Spanish)
OTHER RESOURCES
- Harvest Compassion Centers are open (4744 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85032, Mon/Wed/Sat 9 to 11:30am and 4002 N. 67th Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85033, Tues/Fri/Sat 9 to 11:30am) - free groceries, hygiene and baby items
- U-Haul is offering one month of free self storage to college students
- http://findhelp.org/ Enter your zip code and find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs that help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ArizonaTogether.org This website brings together resources for individuals, businesses and volunteer opportunities.
People can also donate to the AZ Coronavirus Relief fund to support organizations combating #COVID19 - 211 Info graphic by Univision in Spanish
SMALL BUSINESS LOANS
- Chicanos Por La Causa is offering free webinars on how to apply for Small Business Disaster Recovery Loans, along with other info for small business owners. Get times/dates for the webinars and sign up here: https://www.prestamosloans.org/events/ (these appear to be in English only for now)
- Local First Arizona has information on other places to get small business loans, as well as other resources: https://www.localfirstaz.com/covidresources
- Bank of America clients can request to defer payments on small business loans. More info here and in Spanish here
EMPLOYMENT
- Long list of companies with immediate openings: https://arizonaatwork.com/sites/default/files/Immediate%20Hiring%20Need-3-24-2020%281%29.pdf
- Get a free career coach: https://covid19.pipelineaz.com/
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES
- ACESDV’s Sexual and Domestic Violence Services Helpline is still open & operating the regular hours of 8:30a – 5:00p, M – F. Spanish & English. Call 602-279-2980
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- DCS Child Abuse Hotline: 1-888-767-2445
- Restoring Ancestral Winds: Strong Hearts Native Hotline: 1-844-7Native
- To see full Instagram post, click here
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
- National Suicide Prevention Lifelfe: 1-800-273-8255
- National Substance Abuse Hotline: 1-800-622-4257
GET YOUR $1200 CHECK
The federal government has authorized a $1200 payment to each eligible adult, along with $500 payments for children under 16. If you filed a tax return last year and gave the IRS direct deposit information (for instance so that they could give you your refund), or if you get Social Security payments by direct deposit, then they will deposit the $1200 directly into your bank account.
If the IRS doesn’t have your direct deposit info yet, they will open a website soon for you to give them your info. If you don’t have a bank account, you’ll get a check in the mail, but it could take six to eight weeks.
Payments will only go to people with Social Security cards, so green card holders, DACA recipients and immigrants with temporary protected status can get checks, but immigrants on tourist visas and those who are undocumented cannot. If you’re a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number but on your tax return you’ve got a spouse or a kid and they’re undocumented, then nobody in that household is going to get a check.
RENT AND EVICTION
Evictions have been suspended in Arizona: if you are experiencing medical or financial hardship related to coronavirus, you cannot be removed from your home for failing to pay rent for at least the next two months.
Rent is still due, so if you don’t pay, your bills will accumulate. You can apply for rental assistance here. You need a computer to complete the application, and may need to scan and fax documents. Staples is offering free faxing and scanning services to help. You can also call a community action agency for help. You can find their phone numbers here.
APPLYING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
If you were laid off, had your hours cut, or had to leave work because you were quarantined, or can’t work because you are in a population that is vulnerable to coronavirus, you are eligible for unemployment benefits.
You do not need to be looking for work or wait a week (although Arizona is still updating its computer systems to reflect that fact).
You should get state benefits (up to $240 a week) PLUS $600 a week in federal benefits (although there’s a delay in getting the federal benefits processed).
Only immigrants who can show that they’re authorized to work in the US can file for unemployment, including green card (Legal Permanent Residents) and temporary visa holders. DACA recipients are not eligible.
Freelancers, self-employed people and gig workers are supposed to be eligible, but Arizona’s Department of Economic Security is still figuring out how exactly how that’s supposed to work. You can go ahead and register now, though.
Apply online www.azui.com anytime between 12:00 a.m. on Sunday through 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Individuals without Internet access should call 1 (877) 600- 2722 (English or Spanish)
After you apply, you will get some paperwork in the mail and have to send it back, then file a claim weekly to keep receiving benefits.
PUBLIC SERVICES
APS - If you need assistance with your bill, please reach out to their newly-created Customer Support Fund - call (602) 371-7171, weekdays 7 am to 7 pm. APS will not disrupt power.
SRP - will not turn customers' power off for non-payment during the COVID-19 pandemic. They will also waive all late payment fees. This applies to both residential and commercial customers.
City of Phoenix Water - will not turn off your water and will reconnect anyone suspended for nonpayment
City of Mesa Water - will not turn off your water
Southwest Gas will not turn off your gas
Verizon has stopped disconnecting people
T-Mobile has stopped disconnecting people and all customers will have unlimited data
AT&T has stopped disconnecting people
Cox has stopped disconnecting people, is waiving late fees and is working on opening 1,600 Wifi hotspots. New customers can get internet for $20 a month - more info here
The IRS and the state of Arizona have extended the filing deadline for state and federal taxes until July 15 - but you should still file ASAP to get a refund
STUDENT LOANS
The US government has automatically suspended payments and waiving interest on federal student loans for six months. You do not need to request the suspension - it should happen automatically. Almost all federal loans qualify (there are some exceptions, mostly loans made before 2010 under the Federal Family Education Loans program).
Some private student loan companies are offering to postpone payments for a fee. Contact your loan servicer.
MORTGAGES, AUTO LOANS AND CREDIT CARDS
Bank of America customers can request to defer payments on mortgages, auto loans and credit cards, with payments added to the end of the loan, with no impact on your credit score. More info here
Wells Fargo is offering an immediate three-month payment suspension for any mortgage or home-equity customer who requests it.
Ally Bank is allowing existing customers to defer mortgage payments for up to 120 days. No late fees will be charged, but interest will accrue.
Many other banks are offering some form of assistance, allowing delayed payments, etc. In many cases, they are not reporting missed payments to credit reporting companies, so delaying or deferring your payment won’t affect your credit score. But you have to inform them ahead of time. If you can’t pay your loan or mortgage, call your bank or lender ASAP.
If you’ve called your bank and you are still at risk of foreclosure, the Save Our Home AZ (“SOHAZ”) can help. To see if you might be eligible for assistance, use this self assessment tool, or call 1-877-448-1211.
USCIS & DETENTION CENTERS
USCIS INFORMATION: Beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020, USCIS asylum offices will not be open for walk-in assistance or for non-interview inquiry appointments until further notice. Asylum offices will only be open to individuals appearing for previously scheduled interview appointments. USCIS is asking for individuals who may have come into contact with COVID -19 to reschedule their appointments. USCIS will help you reschedule your appointment without penalty.
Note that coronavirus testing and treatment will not be taken into account as part of USCIS’ “public charge” rule.
DETENTION CENTER VISITATIONS
Eloy Detention Center [Core Civic] has stopped accepting visitiations due to the COVID -19 Virus. At this time it is still unknown as to when Core Civic will resume their regular visitation schedule.
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
As of Friday, March 13 Arizona Department of Corrections has stopped allowing visitations to all ADOC facilities. Puente is monitoring the status of ADOC and the visitation program. At this time phone calls and commissary orders are still being accepted but can be suspended at any time.
www.puenteaz.org ◍ info@puenteaz.org ◍ (602) 252-1283