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Category: Resource Wire

Jobs and Community Resources – 10/26/22

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~NEW THIS WEEK~

FREE HALLOWEEN & FALL HARVEST EVENTS 

WHEN: Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 29, 2022

WHERE: Locations across Seattle.

WHAT: Seattle Parks & Recreation is hosting a series of free festive events and activities this week at locations across the city, including trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, costume competitions, and dance parties.

MORE INFO: Check out Fall Harvest Fun! Free & low-cost activities across Seattle on the Parkways blog.

HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY 

WHAT: Across Washington state, the demand for housing continues to grow. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is partnering with the Washington State Department of Commerce to study the current gaps, needs, and barriers to housing in Washington State.

The PSRC conducting the Washington Housing Opinion survey to help us plan for all aspects of housing – priorities, types, locations, and costs – in order to meet housing needs in local communities and across the state.

There are two ways to complete the Future of Housing survey by November 6:

The survey is available in simplified Chinese, English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. Participants 18 years and older who complete the survey can share their name and email address for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

QUESTIONS? Email research@prrbiz.com.

~UPCOMING/CURRENT COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES~

JOB FAIRS & HIRING EVENTS

WHAT: A variety of employers are holding hiring events this week, with some making on-the-spot offers with no experience required.

Allied Universal – Lumen Field 

When: Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 10am-7pm 

Where: Lumen Field, 800 Occidental Ave South, Seattle, WA 98134 – Enter through NW VIP Gate 

Positions: Event staff ($20/hr) 

More info: Event Staff – Major Venues! Seattle, Washington  

Hudson 

When: Thursday, October 27, 2022 10am-1pm 

Where: Sea-Tac Airport University Classroom – From ticketing level, locate the Starbucks behind the Frontier/Sun Country and Alaska Airlines ticketing counters.  Go down the hallway on the left of the Starbucks counters and take the elevator to Floor 2 exiting to the right to the Airport University classroom and the event. 

Positions: Retail sales associates ($18.50/hr), specialty sales associates ($18.50/hr), full-time warehouse associates ($19.50/hr), MAC beauty artists ($19/hr) 

More info: Download the Hudson flyer for October 27. 

AMEX Centurion Lounge 

When: Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 10am-1pm 

Where: Sea-Tac Airport University Classroom – See directions above. 

Positions: Utility ($20/hr), prep cook ($21/hr), wait staff ($20/hr), line cook ($20/hr) 

More info: Download the Centurion Lounge flyer for November 1. 

UW Building Services 

When: Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 10am-1pm 

Where: Northlake Building (NLB), 814 Northeast Northlake Place, Seattle, WA 98105 

Positions: Custodian, maintenance custodian, carpet cleaner 

More info: Call 206.685.1500. 

 MORE INFO: Go to WorkSource Workshops & Hiring Events and Port Jobs Hiring Events.

FREE MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS 

WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 11am-3pm

WHERE: Uplift NW, 2515 Western Ave, Seattle 

WHAT: King County’s Mobile Medical Program provides walk-in care for people who are living homeless (or were recently homeless) only. Please try to arrive at least one hour before the scheduled end time for the clinic. On rare occasions the clinic will close earlier than the scheduled time. Call the Mobile Van nursing lines if you would like to confirm the clinic end time for a particular day.

Please note: Sites and available services are subject to change due to Mobile Medical’s involvement in the COVID-19 response. Please check King County’s Mobile Medical Care webpage for the latest information, including upcoming dates in September.

Upcoming Seattle dates:

Upcoming South King County dates:

MORE INFO: Go to King County Mobile Medical Care or call 206.330.6775 for the Seattle Medical Van or 206.549.5562 for the South King County Medical Van.

LEARN HOW TO BREAK A LEASE

WHEN: Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 3-4:45pm

WHERE: Zoom

WHAT: Do you need to break your lease to escape a dangerous situation? In this webinar, we’ll go over three scenarios where you may be able to break a lease without liability. These scenarios are:

  • You’ve experienced stalking, unlawful harassment, domestic violence, or sexual assault.
  • You’ve been assaulted by another tenant, and the other tenant was arrested.
  • Your landlord hasn’t responded to a serious repair issue in a reasonable amount of time.

We’ll also discuss what to expect when breaking a lease in other circumstances.

A visiting attorney from the Tenant Law Center will also be on hand to help with answering questions.

If you are currently living in King County and being threatened with eviction, contact the Housing Justice Project for legal assistance at 206.267.7069 or hjpstaff@kcba.org.

TO REGISTER: Go to Rent Smart: Breaking a Lease on the King County Library System website.

QUESTIONS? Contact Julia Gibson at jgibson@kcls.org.

FREE & LOW-COST VETERINARY CARE

WHEN: Friday, October 28, 2022, 11am-2pm

WHERE: The Village on Casino Road, 14 East Casino Rd, Everett, WA 

WHAT: Seattle Veterinary Outreach provides veterinary care for free to people experiencing homelessness and at a reduced cost for people living on low incomes. The organization is also currently partnering with Public Health – Seattle King County to provide free COVID vaccinations and booster shots to anyone regardless of income.

Veterinary care is provided on a first-come, first-served service. Pet owners are encouraged to arrive between 10-10:30am to secure a place in line.

This service is reserved for those experiencing homelessness or living with a low income, which is verified at clinics. Pet owners should bring their SNAP, EBT, WIC, SSI, or TANF cards. Alternatively, a letter confirming that the pet owner is living in subsidized housing or receiving housing vouchers is also acceptable.

Additional upcoming dates:

MORE INFO: Visit the Seattle Veterinary Outreach Clinic Calendar.

DEADLINE REMINDER: PAID JOB TRAINING & HOUSING SUPPORT 

WHEN: Registration deadline Wednesday, October 26. Training starts Tuesday, November 1.

WHAT: This FREE, two-week Career Enrichment Program provides a career pathway and opportunities to find housing through Rapid Re-Housing. A $700 stipend is available for those who complete the full program. 

Eligibility requirements: 

  • Low-income with emphasis on those experiencing homelessness and/or BFET/SNAP participants 
  • ESL Level 5 or above
  • 18 years or older 
  • Eligible to work in the US and have resided in the country for the last five consecutive years. 
  • Safe driving record and ability to pass a background check 

MORE INFO: Download the Seattle Jobs Initiative October 2022 flyer or contact Jhileah Jackson at 206.791.7720 or jjackson@seattlejobsinit.com. 

TANF TRAINING FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS 

WHEN: Thursday, October 27, 2022, 1:30-3:30pm

WHERE: Online. Register for link. 

WHAT: The Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness and Solid Ground Benefits Legal Assistance attorneys invite you to join us for a Public Benefits Are Key! session about the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) & WorkFirst programs.

Geared toward case managers working with people experiencing homelessness – both new case managers as well as experienced providers who have questions and would like additional support navigating TANF and WorkFirst benefits – this practical, hands-on training offers tangible action steps and additional resources to ensure that people experiencing homelessness aren’t at a disadvantage when applying or qualifying for TANF and WorkFirst.

This in-depth training will cover:

  • eligibility, income, and resource limits
  • WorkFirst best practices for helping clients apply for these benefits
  • strategies you can use to assist people experiencing homelessness successfully navigate the application process
  • how to troubleshoot issues for people who already have TANF or WorkFirst benefits
  • what you can do as a case manager to help your client with this process
  • when to contact an attorney

The session includes a 30-minute “Ask a Lawyer” segment where BLA Public Benefits attorneys can answer your specific questions. Participants can also email questions in advance to benefitslegalhelp@solid-ground.org (please put “Ask a Lawyer” in the subject line).

While this session is geared toward direct service providers, anyone from your agency is welcome to attend.

Additional upcoming Public Benefits Are Key! sessions:

TO REGISTER: Go to Public Benefits Are Key! Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) & WorkFirst programs.

QUESTIONS? Contact Jody Rauch at jody@homelessinfo.org. 

FREE MARITIME PROGRAM FOR BIPOC YOUTH 

WHEN: Saturdays, October 29 – December 17, 12-4pm

WHAT: Get Into It!: Maritime 2022 is an 8-week program that will take young people ages 12-15 on unique interactive field trips that introduce them to career pathways within the maritime industry. Program days will involve facility/site tours, activities that allow youth to engage with equipment that industry professionals actually use, Q & A sessions with career professionals, and community-building games/activities! This program also prioritizes introducing youth to BIPOC, Womxn, & Non-binary professionals whenever possible. Field trips include things like a variety of boat tours/excursions, using an underwater camera called ROV, and using a ship-driving simulator. Food will be provided, and transportation stipends are available.

TO APPLY: Complete the Get Into It!: Maritime 2022 Parent/Guardian Application and Youth Application.

MORE INFO: Download the Get Into It!: Maritime 2022 flyer or contact Savannah Smith (she/her) at savannah.seapotential@gmail.com.

HELP WITH CHILD CARE COSTS 

WHAT: Families living on low incomes in King County may be able to get help paying for child care through the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy. Applications are now being accepted and support is expected to begin in November.

Your family may be eligible if you: 

TO APPLY: Complete the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy Eligibility Form.

MORE INFO: Text or call 206.208.6865 or email support@bskchildcare.org.

COVID-19 PAYMENTS FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS 

WHEN: Deadline for applications is November 14, 2022

WHAT: Washington residents who were ineligible for federal stimulus funds or unemployment payments because of their immigration status may be eligible for a payment of at least $1,000 through the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund.

  • You can apply if you’re over 18, you live in Washington State, you are not eligible for federal stimulus funds or unemployment insurance due to your immigration status, and you’ve experienced difficult times because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • It’s safe to apply. No information goes to the government, and the public charge rule should not apply.
  • You can apply in Spanish, English, Chinese, Korean, or Tagalog, or call to get help in more languages.

MORE INFO: Download the Immigrant Relief Fund flyer, go to immigrantreliefwa.org, or call 844.620.1999 for help in multiple languages.

TO APPLY: Start by answering these Eligibility Questions. Multiple community organizations are available to help people who need assistance with the application process. Go to Get Help for more info.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR RENTERS 

WHERE: Online

WHAT: Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors have produced a new video that covers many of the topics in their series of online webinars, including:

  • What to do if you get an eviction or ERPP notice
  • How to prepare for mediation
  • How repayment plans work
  • What you should know about rent increases and late fees

The 20-minute video can be watched at any time on the Solid Ground website, which includes additional videos and information about upcoming Tenant Webinars.

MORE INFO: Go to Solid Ground Tenant Webinar Videos.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT  

WHAT: Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year – things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

Four ways to get help: 

  1. Visit www.Medicare.gov/plan to compare to learn about and compare coverage options and shop for health and drug plans.
  2. Look at your most recent “Medicare & You” handbook to see a listing of plans in your area. Review any information you get from your current plan, including the “Annual Notice of Change” letter.
  3. Call 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227). TTY users can call 1.877.486.2048. If you need help in a language other than English or Spanish, let the customer service representative know the language.
  4. Call your local State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program. Our SHIBA volunteers can offer free, personalized health insurance counseling. Call King County’s local SHIBA intake line to sign up to speak to a SHIBA volunteer to go over any changes you’d like to make during Medicare Open Enrollment and a SHIBA volunteer will get back to you within 2-3 business days.

MORE INFO: Contact the SHIBA King County Local Intake Line at 206.753.4806 or shiba@solid-ground.org. You can also reach the Office of the Insurance Commissioner at 1.800.562.6900.

DISCOUNTED BEFORE/AFTER-SCHOOL CHILD CARE 

WHEN: September 2022 to June 2023

WHERE: Various locations across Seattle 

WHAT: Seattle Parks and Recreation offers programs that provide kids ages 5-12 with activities in areas such as arts and culture, environmental stewardship, health and fitness, academic support, and more. Scholarships based on household size and income can reduce the cost of the programs by 50% to 90%.

TO APPLY: Go to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Before/After School Care web page.

RENT SMART/¡INQUILINOS INTELIGENTES!

WHEN: All English sessions held twice monthly on Wednesdays, 2-4pm. Spanish sessions held monthly on Thursday, 5:30-6:45pm.

WHERE: Zoom

WHAT: Virtual Renters’ Rights Workshop Series 

Rent Smart Webinars in English 

¡Inquilinos Inteligentes! Talleres Virtuales en Español

NEED MORE HELP? / ¿NECESITA MÁS AYUDA?

  • King County residents being threatened with eviction can contact the Housing Justice Project for legal assistance at 253.234.4204 or hjpstaff@kcba.org.
  • Si actualmente vive en el Condado de King y está siendo amenazado con el desalojo, comuníquese con el Proyecto de Justicia de Vivienda para obtener asistencia legal 253.234.4204 o hjpstaff@kcba.org.
  • Washington State residents can visit Solid Ground’s For Tenants website for self-help information, or call Solid Ground’s message-only Tenant Services Message Hotline, currently open Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30am – 1:30pm (hours and days are subject to change): 206.694.6767 | TTY: 7.1.1
  • Los Residentes del Estado de Washington pueden visitar el sitio web Para Inquilinos de Solid Ground para obtener información de autoayuda, o llamar a la línea directa de mensajes de Servicios para Inquilinos de Solid Ground cual es abierta los lunes, martes, y jueves de 10:30 a.m. a 1:30 p.m. (las horas y los días están sujetos a cambios): 206.694.6767 | TTY: 7.1.1

Rent Smart is offered in partnership with Solid Ground’s Tenant Services and the King County Library System (KCLS). / ¡Inquilinos Inteligentes! se ofrece en asociación con los Servicios para Inquilinos de Solid Ground y La Sistema Biblioteca del Condado de King (KCLS).

~JOBS WITH SOLID GROUND~

DRIVE FOR GOOD! WEEKLY JOB FAIR FOR SOLID GROUND DRIVERS 

WHEN: Every Thursday, 8am-5pm 

WHERE: Solid Ground Transportation, 8100 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 

WHAT: Be a part of making life easier for those living with disabilities in our communities. Join our team of drivers who provide ACCESS bus services to people who can’t use Metro’s fixed-route system, helping people get to critically needed health and human services resources, and connecting people with their communities.  

Solid Ground Transportation offers: 

  • $18.94 per hour with $2,000 Hiring Bonus
  • Flexible Schedule
  • Part-time & Full-time options
  • No CDL requirement
  • Paid Training
  • Opportunities for long-term career growth beyond driving!
  • Full Benefits (Paid Leave, Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401k Matching, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Account, and Life Insurance)

TO APPLY NOW: Go to the Solid Ground Bus Operator job description and application.

QUESTIONS? Call 206.694.6817 or email jobs@solid-ground.org. 

SOLID GROUND JOB BOARD

WHAT: Join the Solid Ground team and help us fight poverty and dismantle systems of oppression! We are currently seeking candidates for these positions:

QUESTIONS? Learn more about Solid Ground and see other open positions on the Solid Ground Careers page.

~ONGOING JOB OPPORTUNITIES~

JOB HELP FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM 

WHAT: TRAC Associates provides funding for training, help with job searches and resume writing, work-related supplies, peer and group counseling, expungement services, and transportation. Services are available to residents of King County who have been recently released, recently charged, or pre-released from the criminal legal system.

MORE INFO: Contact Anu Waku at anu@tracassoc.com or 206.498.3522 or download the TRAC Associates flyer.

HOUSING & EMPLOYMENT HELP 

WHAT: Are you currently homeless? Unemployed? African Community Housing & Development offers employment opportunities, interview prep, job training, housing assistance, and more!

MORE INFO: Contact Shirwa Aden 425.436.8134 or shirwa@achdo.org

PAID JOB TRAINING FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES & MANUFACTURING 

WHEN: Tours and info every Monday at 9am

WHERE: Orion Industries, 1590 A Street NE Auburn, WA 98002

WHAT: Orion Training & Employment offers skills training and assessment in our aerospace business, janitorial, office skills and customer service programs. We support individuals to achieve their goals through our job placement and job retention services. Participants receive:

  • Paid training
  • Hands-on mentorship
  • Self-esteem building
  • One-on-one support from counselors & job developers

MORE INFO: Download the Orion aerospace flyer or Orion janitorial flyer.

QUESTIONS? Contact cindy.arnold@orionworks.org or 253.661.7805.

~ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES~

HELP WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE 

WHAT: The Prescription Drug Assistance Foundation (PDAF) helps Washington State residents whose prescription drug coverage is inadequate, even if they have private insurance, Medicaid, or a plan on the healthcare exchange. PDAF’s mission is to make medications available to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured Washingtonians at no or reduced cost.

MORE INFO: Contact Rod Shutt at 206.518.0839 or rods@prescriptiondrugassistance.org.

FREE BIKES & HELMETS

WHAT: Bike Work’s Bikes-For-All program provides free rebuilt bicycles and helmets to youth, adults, and families living in Southeast Seattle who are facing barriers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and fulfilled on a first come, first serve basis. Income limits apply.

MORE INFO: Go to the Bikes-For-All page.

FREE LYFT RIDES IN KING COUNTY

WHAT: Crisis Connections is now offering FREE Lyft rides for medical, job, housing, food, legal, and other purposes through the Ride United program. To qualify, rides must originate within King County but outside of Seattle. Ride United covers fares up to $22 each way, for a total of $44 round trip.

Requirements:

  • Rides must be for non-emergency medical, job, housing, food, and other transportation needs
  • Rides must originate in King County but outside Seattle
  • Rider must able to get to and from the designated pick-up location
  • Rider must live in an area where Lyft is available
  • Rider must be 18+ years old or accompanied by a guardian
  • Everyone in the vehicle MUST wear face coverings, leave the front passenger seat empty, and keep windows down when possible.

MORE INFO: Visit the Crisis Connections Ride United page.

TO SIGN UP: Call 2.1.1.

FREE FRUITS & VEGATABLES FOR SNAP USERS

WHERE: More than 200 Safeway stores in Washington state

WHAT: For a limited time, customers with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can get a coupon for $10 off fresh fruits and vegetables when they spend $10 or more in SNAP benefits on fresh or frozen produce at Safeway stores. Safeway has also announced that all its stores now welcome SNAP EBT payments, and shoppers can arrange for home delivery or pick up at the store with DriveUp & Go.

MORE INFO: Learn more about SNAP Produce Match on the Washington state Department of Health website.

FREE FLU SHOTS FOR VETS

WHAT: It’s now easier than ever for veterans to get their influenza vaccine. In addition to VA medical facilities across the country, flu shots are now available at no cost for eligible Veterans at more than 70,000 in-network community providers nationwide.  You may also be able to get your COVID-19 vaccine during the same visit.

Check out this video, Veteran Community Care Flu Shots, to find out more.

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:

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:

  • 1 person = $3,483
  • 2 people = $3,983
  • 3 people = $4,479
  • 4 people = $4,975
  • 5 people = $5,375
  • 6 people = $5,775
  • 7 people = $6,170
  • 8 people = $6,570

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)

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.

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.

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:

**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. 

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