As the COVID-19 impacts workers across our state, we are compiling emergency resources to help you and your family in this time of crisis. The resources listed below come from a variety of sources, including King County and the Washington State Labor Council. More resources are also available on our International Union's website. If you are aware of resources not listed here, please send us an email or write it in the comments below. Please stay healthy and safe!

• Public Health Information
• Social Distancing
• Unemployment Benefits Workers Comp, Fraud
• COVID-19 Prevention - Labor & Industry Guidelines
• Financial Resources for Consumers
• Trouble Paying Rent or Mortgage
• Student Loan Deferments
• Paying Utilities
• Food Assistance
• Insurance Issues/Dental Assistance
• Childcare for essential workers
• Union Families In Need
• Mental health assistance
• Understanding the federal government's response (Families First/CARES Act)
• Resources for first responders/public safety/corrections
• Resources for immigrant workers - en español
• Who's Hiring? Find a Teamster Job 

PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION

The Washington State Department of Health has everything you need to know about the respiratory illness COVID-19, how it’s spread, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you think you might have contracted it. The Dept. of Health’s Coronavirus Hotline is 1-800-525-0127, press #. Learn more here.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, WORKERS' COMP, AND FRAUD

Anyone who has lost their job due to coronavirus or has had to take time off to self-quarantine or care for a sick relative (and does not get paid sick time from work) should apply for UNEMPLOYMENT insurance. Info on that here.

If you apply for unemployment benefits and your claim is rejected, please contact the Unemployment Law Project at 206-441-9178 x0 for assistance.

Anyone whose job has brought them into direct contact with someone with coronavirus (for instance, a first responder or a health care worker) and has become ill or are required to quarantine can file for WORKERS’ COMP. File for that here.

If you have questions or need assistance filing for unemployment insurance, please call 800-318-6022 or schedule a time to speak with a claims agent who can help you.

If you or a friend or family member are out of work, Washington State's Employment Security Department provides support services as well.

If you think you've been a victim of unemployment fraud, be sure to report it with ESD immediately.

COVID-19 PREVENTION - LABOR & INDUSTRIES GUIDELINES

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has established guidelines for your employer to follow in the workplace to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn more here. If you employer is not doing enough to keep you safe, contact your Union Representative.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR CONSUMERS

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has developed a list of financial resources for Washington consumers impacted by the Coronavirus. 

TROUBLE PAYING RENT OR MORTGAGE

If you don’t have enough money to pay, contact your lender or landlord immediately. Help includes:

• Washington Homeownership Hotline (877-894-HOME)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggestions
• Rental assistance & counseling (800-569-4287)
• List of Housing Counseling Agencies
• For Seattle renters, the Mayor has issued a 30-day moratorium on evictions – through mid-April

For a limited time, United Way of King County is offering assistance with April rent payments. Apply here.

STUDENT LOAN DEFERMENTS

If you need help with your student loans, you may be able to temporarily suspend your payments by applying for a deferment or forbearance from the US Department of Education.

PAYING UTILITIES

If you need help paying your utility bills, contact your service provider immediately.

• Puget Sound Energy will not disconnect customers, will waive late fees, and offers payments plans.
• For Seattle residents, Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities will not shut off service during the emergency. They also offer deferred payment plans and discount programs.
• The Utilities and Transportation Commission offers energy assistance programs.
• The federal government also has assistance programs to help with telephone and heating bills.
• Comcast is offering free WiFi hot spots, unlimited data, and no disconnects or late fees.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

If you’re looking for help feeding yourself or your family, visit the Food Lifeline website to find a partner food bank, food pantry, or hot meal program in your neighborhood. This food is free and available to you, even if you don’t qualify for SNAP or EBT.

INSURANCE ISSUES/DENTAL ASSISTANCE

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner has resources and information available for consumers who have insurance related questions.

• Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner - COVID-19 Resources Information from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
• Uninsured? — Take advantage of the Washington Health Care Authority’s special open enrollment period on the Health Benefit Exchange, running through April 8. Sign up at Washington HealthplanFinder. Meanwhile, Apple Health (Medicaid) enrollment is year-round.
• Sunrise Dental is offering FREE palliative care for union members who have lost their jobs. Find contact info here. 

CHILDCARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS

The COVID 19 pandemic is highlighting just how essential child care is as we respond to this unprecedented public health crisis. For childcare response and referral, call 1-800-446-1114. Be sure to ask for a Union provider.

• King County childcare resources
• Pierce County childcare resources
• Childcare Aware Resource Flyer
• Información en español
• Somali
• Vietnamese

UNION FAMILIES IN NEED

We are urging all organizations and individuals interested in helping union families suffering economic hardship amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington state to make contributions to the Foundation for Working Families, a nonprofit formed by the WSLC and its affiliated unions to assist union families in times of hardship or disaster. Click here to make a contribution online or mail a check to the Foundation for Working Families, 321 16th Ave S., Seattle, WA, 98144. The FFWF is a 501(c)(3) organization — federal tax ID 91-1702271 — and all donations are tax-deductible charitable contributions.

Families can apply for FFWF assistance by downloading its Hardship Assistance Form. Assistance is not restricted to union members, but they are given priority. For more information about the FFWF, email Karen White or call her at 360-570-5169.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE

In these uneasy times, if you find yourself in a stressful or physically threatening situation, or need to talk to someone, please consider using these 24/7 hotlines. 

1. If you are a public safety employee, emergency services personnel or their family member, make a Safe Call Now to (206) 459-3020.
   It is a confidential, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service nationwide.
2. In a life crisis, reach out to counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1(800) 273-8355.
3. Staying at home may put vulnerable individuals at risk. If you or your loved one doesn't feel safe at home, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1(800) 799-7433, or text "LOVEIS" to 22522.
4. If you are seeking help coping with drug or alcohol addiction, call the National Drug Helpline at 1(844) 289-0879.
5. Connect with a crisis counselor at Crisis Text Line by texting "HOME" to 741741.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE

FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA): FFCRA provides paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave to some workers, funds nutritional assistance, and establishes free testing for COVID-19. For more information about workers' right to paid leave under the Act, please visit the Department of Labor's website.

CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT (CARES): The second major federal relief package for the COVID-19 pandemic, the $2 trillion CARES Act includes direct payments to American taxpayers, extended and increased unemployment benefits, a new unemployment assistance program for self-employed workers, small business relief, and more. See more info about the Act here.

RESOURCES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS/PUBLIC SAFETY/CORRECTIONS

Our International Union has put together resources for first responders and Teamsters working in public safety professions.

• Resources for Teamsters working in law enforcement
• Resources for Teamsters working in corrections
• Find more discounts and benefits for first responders here

RESOURCES FOR IMMIGRANT WORKERS

The City of Seattle has put together a useful FAQ for immigrant workers who have questions about the COVID-19 crisis. You can access that page here. Para información en español oprima aquí. 

WHO'S HIRING? FIND A TEAMSTER JOB