HELP PAYING ENERGY BILLS IN KING COUNTY 

WHAT: Your family’s monthly income may qualify you for free or low-cost energy services. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program administered by Byrd Barr Place that helps low-income households to meet their immediate home energy needs.

LIHEAP assistance is now available year-round. You may now be eligible to receive assistance once every 12 months.

• Customers in Seattle: Call 800.756.5437 (Public Health — Seattle & King County CHAP Line) for assistance.
• Customers in South King County: Call Multi-Service Center at 253.517.2263.
• Customers in North King County (north of NE 145th St) and East King County: Call Hopelink at 425.658.2592.

DISCOUNTS ON UTILITY BILLS 

WHAT: The Utility Discount Program (UDP) helps you get current and stay current on utility payments by offering a discount of up to 60% on your Seattle City Light bill and a 50% discount on your Seattle Public Utilities bill. This program is available for residential City Light and Seattle Public Utilities customers only.

You may be eligible: 

• If you have a City of Seattle light bill
• If you are the homeowner or renter (If your landlord pays all utilities, qualifying low-income tenants may still be eligible for utility financial help)
• If you meet certain requirements for household size, gross monthly income, and gross yearly income.

Go to King County’s Energy Assistance webpage for details on eligibility.

To apply, gather and complete the following documents:

• Signed and dated City of Seattle application.
• Gross income documentation from all sources for all household members age 18 or older for the last month prior to the date of your signature on your completed application.
• Monthly housing expenses including:
  • Lease/Rental agreement and current rent payment receipt – required; or
  • Mortgage (payment coupon) or tax statement – required
• Copy of state driver(s) license or state identification card for everyone in household 18 years and over.
• Financial aid award(s); grants and loans verification:
• Check stubs from work-study employment

Send your completed application to:

• Mail: Access & Outreach, Public Health – Seattle & King County, 401 5th Avenue #1000, 
  Seattle, WA 98104 
• Fax: 206.296.0881
• Email: chap@kingcounty.gov

QUESTIONS? Contact the Access and Outreach Team or call the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at 1.800.756.5437.

HELP PAYING FOR MEDICARE 

WHAT: You could save $148 or more under two savings programs for eligible Medicare subscribers. Eligibility is based on income and personal resources, including savings.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) may cover: 

• Part A and B premiums
• Medicare co-pay costs
• Medicare deductibles

Extra Help for Part D (prescription drugs) may cover: 

• Premiums
• Some co-pay costs
• Deductibles
• Donut hole/coverage gap

Want to find out if you’re eligible for Medicare Savings Program and/or Extra Help? Contact Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) at 206.753.4806, 1.800.562.6900, or shiba@solid-ground.org. SHIBA can also help you:

• Find Medicare options that meet your personal needs.
• Learn about your Medicare rights and options.
• Compare Medicare plans and prices.
• Report health care fraud and abuse.

SHIBA offers free, unbiased Medicare education and assistance through the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

MORE INFO: To learn more about SHIBA, go to www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba. To learn more about MSP and Extra Help, go to Medicare Savings Programs | Medicare, Find your level of Extra Help (Part D) | Medicare. Applying is easy. You can have either standard Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Contact SHIBA to get help on applying.

CHILD CARE AWARE OF WASHINGTON FAMILY CENTER

WHAT: The Child Care Aware of Washington Family Center is a statewide call center assisting families in finding licensed child care providers, navigating child care financial assistance options, finding alternative forms of care, and connecting families to COVID-related resources in their community. We also assist families to navigate the state subsidy system, including connecting families experiencing homelessness with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Working Connections Homeless Grace Period (HGP), which may authorize 12 months of child care subsidy without a copay.

What this means for families:

• Experiencing homelessness and income verification are the only eligibility criteria to obtain child care subsidy.
• DCYF will authorize the family for full-time care.
• Families will have 12 months to participate in employment activities to reauthorize for Working Connections after the grace period ends.
• No copay will be required during the grace period.

MORE INFO/HELP: We are able to assist families over the phone in multiple languages! Call 1.800.446.1114 for assistance Monday-Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm or email familycenter@childcare.org.

COMCAST INTERNET ESSENTIALS

WHAT: Comcast’s Internet Essentials program is the largest, most comprehensive, and most successful broadband adoption program in the nation. It provides low-cost internet ($9.95/month) to low-income families and individuals within the Comcast service area. New customers who apply before Dec. 31, 2021, receive their first two months of Internet Essentials for free.

Eligibility: To qualify, applicants simply need to show they participate in one of more than a dozen different government assistance programs, including:

• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Comcast also accepts applications from households that:

• have a student eligible for the National School Lunch Program
• live in public housing
• receive HUD Housing Assistance (including Section 8 vouchers)
• participate in the Veterans Pension Program, as well as low-income seniors in select pilot markets

MORE INFO/TO APPLY: Visit the Internet Essentials website for eligibility information and an application – or call 1.855.846.8376.

FAMILY MATTERS CLINIC FOR LGBTQ+ FAMILIES

WHEN/WHERE: Ongoing; meeting times and locations are set when families are matched with attorneys

WHAT: QLaw Foundation supports all of the ways that our community makes families. We serve parents who are low income, QTPOC, formerly incarcerated, trans/nonbinary, poly, immigrant/refugee, and/or living with disabilities. We have no limitations based on citizenship or income level.

The Family Matters clinic for LGBTQ+ families in King County is a full-representation clinic for:

• people who are parenting, but who don’t have legal recognition of their role
• families recognized under Washington law who want an adoption or parentage order just to be safe
• families parenting kids from their partner’s prior relationship
• parents not married to the kids’ other parent who want to make sure their relationship with the children is protected in a worst-case scenario
• families with three or four (or more!) people parenting children who want to make sure each parent has legal recognition

REGISTER NOW!

MORE INFO: Contact info@qlawfoundation.org or 206.483.2725.

FINANCIAL AID VIA WA STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COUNCIL

WHAT: The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is committed to increasing educational opportunities and attainment in Washington State. Apply for financial aid for the 2021-22 school year to get education or training to expand your options during uncertain times. Given the ongoing economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19, education after high school is more important than ever. Filing a financial aid application gives people more options for the future.

APPLY NOW! Fill out 2021/2022 WAFSA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) and/or a 2021/2022 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online form as soon as possible. Don’t wait to find out if you’ve been admitted!

CONTACT: Katie Tallman, Senior Communications Consultant, at 360.753.7859 or katiet@wsac.wa.gov.

JOB SEEKERS’ VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS – MULTILINGUAL

WHAT: WorkSource hosts free virtual workshops for job seekers in multiple languages on topics such as Financial capabilities, Interviewing Techniques, Job-Search Strategies, Perfecting Applications, Résumé and Cover Letters, Skills and Abilities Analysis, Strategies for Success, and more.

MORE INFO: See all upcoming free workshops for job seekers in King County on the WorkSource workshop calendar.

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS

WHAT: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) has funds to provide financial assistance to eligible veterans at risk of experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 outbreak. Veterans must meet the following criteria and be able to provide verification to qualify for assistance.

Eligibility criteria:

• Income: 50% AMI max (see chart below)
• Military Service: 1 day active duty, any discharge except Dishonorable (Reserves/National Guard ineligible, unless federally activated)
• Housing Loss: Documented risk of housing loss within 30 days (does not need to be COVID-19-related)

Current AMI income monthly limits by family size:

QUESTIONS/CONTACT: Please reach out any of the following agencies for assistance.

• SSVF (a program of SOUND): 206.545.2344
• Catholic Community Services (CCS): 206.858.1148 or 253.850.2507
• YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish: 425.264.1426

KING COUNTY HOMELESSNESS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

WHAT: TRAC Associates is a leader in providing employment services for job seekers and employers since 1983. We assist job seekers with the changing needs of employers and the labor market through programs designed to assist people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and disadvantageous/disabling conditions – and we’re adapting our meeting protocols and spaces to keep both our clients and staff safe and healthy.

Employment barriers we assist with include: Obtaining Driver’s Licenses, IDs and Birth Certificates; Transportation; Phone and Email; Job Searches and Applications; Interview and Work Clothes; Hygiene Items; Haircuts; Classes and Trainings; Résumés and Cover Letters; Interviewing Skills; Workplace Issues; Life Skills; Advocacy; Financial Coaching; Connecting to Housing Case Management; Finding any other resource you need to be successful!

TRAC programs for job seekers include:

• Supported Employment – Vulnerable Populations, Substance Use Disordoer (SUD) and Mental Health (MH), folks in Recovery – Foundational Community Support / Medicaid
• TRAC to Work – Homeless Employment Program – United Way JobsConnect
• BFET – Basic Food, Employment, and Training – for people receiving food benefits
• ORIA – Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance
• WIOA – Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act – for unemployed adults, dislocated workers, seniors, and caregivers
• Ticket To Work – SSI / SSDI recipients
• CLEVER – Career Ladder for Educated and Vocationally Experienced Refugees
• Healthcare Workforce for the Future
• Community Jobs – for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients

MORE INFO: Contact Carrie Lewis, TRAC Associates Employment Specialist, at carrie@tracassoc.com or 206.466.7432.

ORCA LIFT SUBSIDIZED ANNUAL PASS

WHAT: Freedom and possibilities through transit! King County Metro and Sound Transit have partnered to create a new, subsidized annual pass program, allowing qualified riders to travel on select transit in our region with subsidized fares.

Eligibility – Customers who reside in King, Pierce, or Snohomish County and are enrolled in one of the six state benefit programs:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/State Family Assistance (SFA)
• Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
• Aged, Blind, or Disabled Cash Assistance (ABD)
• Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Housing & Essential Needs (HEN)

APPLY NOW! For more information or to see if you qualify, visit Washington Connection or call 877.501.2233. Expansions are expected in 2022 to serve more customers that have household incomes at or below 80% of the federal poverty level.

SAFELINK WIRELESS SMARTPHONES & DATA PLANS

WHAT: Coordinated Care of Washington, Inc. is proud to be working with SafeLink Wireless/ LifeLine program at no cost to eligible customers receiving unemployment benefits. Customers may qualify for SafeLink service by submitting a notice of unemployment benefit payments that at a minimum includes: 1) Name, 2) Household’s current income information, 3) Dated within the last 3 months.

With SafeLink Health Solutions®, eligible customers will get:

• A free smartphone, 3GB of data, and 350 monthly minutes*
• Unlimited text messages with health tips and reminders
• Calls to Coordinated Care Member Services will not count toward your 350 minutes
• Note you must make at least one phone call or send a text message each month in order to keep your LifeLine benefits.
• Already have your own phone? Choose the keep your own smartphone** program and receive a sim card at no cost.

APPLY/MORE INFO: Enroll in the Coordinated Care Phone Program or call SafeLink at 1.877.631.2550.

*Unused minutes and data will not carry over from month-to-month. A month equals 30 days.

**To keep your own smartphone, you must have a compatible Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) phone (which includes T-Mobile and AT&T compatible phones). Your phone must also be unlocked. Several other carriers also use GSM networks. To confirm yours is included, call your carrier.

TECH JOB SKILLS TRAINING IN SEATTLE-KING CO.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROGRAMS (free )

• Ada Developers Academy – Nonprofit coding bootcamp offering women and gender diverse people ages 18+ training in Software/Web/Mobile App Development. Length/Frequency: 11 months (6-month class/5-month internship), full-time M-F
• Apprenti – WTIA nonprofit offers diverse, underrepresented populations ages 18+ training and apprenticeships in: Web/Software Development, Network Security, Windows or Linux Systems Administration, and IT Tech Support or Cloud Tech Support. Length/Frequency: 10 months (4-month class/6-month paid apprenticeship), full-time M-F
• Digital Skills for All – Nonprofit initiative offering multiple programs to provide underserved youth ages 16-24 with the computer science skills they need to succeed in entry-level technology job opportunities. Length/Frequency: 12-18 months, depending on program
• Generation USA Training Accelerator – In partnership with South Seattle College, offering residents ages 18+ in King County job training in two tech career pathways: IT Help Desk Technician and Junior Web Developer. Length/Frequency: 11-12 weeks, Full-time M-F
• Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle InfoTech program – Nonprofit offers long-term unemployed adults ages 18+ job training to become certified in Cloud Computing via the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. Length/Frequency: 6 weeks, Full-Time M-F
• Year Up Puget Sound – Nonprofit offering low-income, young adults ages 18-26 job training and internships in three different tech career pathways: Software Development and Testing/QA, IT/Network Support, and Business Operations and Project Management Support. Length/Frequency: 12 months (6-month class and 6-month internship), Full-Time M-F

TECHNICAL & COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAMS (reduced/free tuition might be available for qualifying individuals through the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges’ Workforce Transitions Support programs)

• Bellevue College – Institute for Business and Information Technology
• Green River College – Information Technology Programs
• Highline College – Computer Science Programs
• North Seattle College – IT Programs
• Renton Technical College – IT Programs
• Seattle Central College – IT and Web Programs
• South Seattle College/Year Up – Business Operations and Project Management Support Program

MORE INFO/QUESTIONS? Visit the Communities of Opportunity (COO) website or contact Dan Bernard, Communities of Opportunity Employment Manager, at dan.bernard@kingcounty.gov.

9.8.8 FOR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES 

WHAT: You can now call, text, or chat 9.8.8 to be connected to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  

Services are available in Spanish, along with interpretation services in over 250 languages. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 7.1.1 then 1.800.273.8255. 

You can dial 9.8.8 if you are having: 

• Thoughts of suicide 
• Mental health crises 
• Substance use crises 
• Any other kind of emotional distress 
• Concerns about a loved one who may need crisis support

9.8.8 doesn’t replace any crisis call centers in Washington state – it’s an addition to the state’s network of crisis center providers. The current NSPL number, 1.800.273.TALK (8255), remains active along with 9.8.8. 

MORE INFO: Download the 9.8.8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline flyer. 

WA STATE RECOVERY HELP LINE: 1.866.789.1511

WHAT: The Washington Recovery Help Line is a free, confidential 24-hour, statewide helpline for substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental health. Visit www.waRecoveryHelpLine.org for resources (a service of Crisis Connections and the WA State DSHS). We offer: 1) Free and confidential support, 2) Connection to local treatment providers, 3) Medication for opioid use referrals, 4) DSHS benefits application assistance.

• 866.789.1511 (1.206.461.3219 TTY)
• waRecoveryHelpLine.org
• Help for teens: 866.TEENLINK (1.866.833.6546)

CONTACT/MORE INFO: Email us at recovery@crisisconnections.org. Crisis Connections (9725 3rd Ave NE, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98115)

WA STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI) ELIGIBILITY

WHAT: WA State Employment Security has new information to help you find out if you’re eligible for unemployment benefits. Here are the steps:

1) Find out what you’re eligible for.

• Visit Employment Security’s Unemployment Benefits webpage.

• Download the Eligibility Checker.

2) Eligible for regular UI? Apply as soon as possible! Before you apply:

• Download the Unemployment Benefits Application Checklist
• Gather all the info you’ll need for your application.
• Make sure you read and understand all the materials.
• Can’t get regular UI? You might be eligible for expanded benefits under the federal CARES Act (see below).

3) Set up your Secure Access Washington (SAW) account.

• Watch Creating a SAW Account for Unemployment Insurance: This 9-minute video tutorial may save you a lot of time – especially if there’s a chance you may already have a SAW account. That can cause issues that are tricky to fix down the road.

‘YOUR NEXT JOB’ SERVICE

WHAT: Your Next Job is a service at The Seattle Public Library that can help job seekers: 1) Get started with unemployment, 2) Search​ for jobs, 3) Apply for jobs, and 4) Learn new job skills. Through one-on-one appointments via phone, text, or online conferencing, we can help job seekers to be successful on career and educational pathways, including job seekers with little or no digital literacy skills and those with limited English proficiency in Mandarin and Russian (and hope to add additional in-language services in July).

We can help people with:

• computer basics, such as using email
• creating a SAW (Secure Access Washington) account to start an unemployment claim
• navigating online resources

Please note, we cannot help troubleshoot devices, fill out unemployment applications, or answer questions about existing claims.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: To make a Your Next Job appointment for yourself or someone you are assisting, please call 206.386.4636, email ask@spl.org, or complete the intake form on our website. We can answer questions by phone in the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, Cantonese, French, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Oromo, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Thai, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese.

MORE RESOURCES:

• For access to job resources, visit The Seattle Public Library Job Resources webpage.
• For assistance with unemployment claims, contact the Employment Securities Department.
• For assistance finding shelter, food resources, or other help with basic needs, contact our Community Resource Specialist.

**Your Next Job is offered in partnership with King County Library System and Seattle Jobs Initiative.**

JOB TRAINING FOR UNEMPLOYED VETERANS

WHEN: Deadline to apply is December 11, 2022, or whenever funding runs out. 

WHAT: If you’re a veteran and have lost your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, VA may have a solution for you. The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) offers education and training for a variety of high-demand jobs so you can get back to work.  

Qualifying veterans can receive up to 12 months of tuition and fees along with a monthly housing allowance. To be eligible for VRRAP, you must be between 22 and 66 years of age, unemployed due to COVID-19, able to work, and not eligible for education or unemployment benefits. 

TO APPLY: Go to Apply for the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program.