COVID-19 Update: New Resources Available for Businesses, Nonprofits and Residents
Posted on: April 3, 2020 - 3:12pm
The Federal government passed a stimulus package, known as the CARES Act, a relief package that will provide you with resources. Some of the items included in this relief package include:
- Stimulus Checks: $1,200 payments to individual taxpayers making up to $75,000 a year, and $2,400 payments to married couples filing jointly making under $150,000 a year. Reduced checks will be available for higher incomes.
- Expanded Unemployment Insurance: Eligibility has been expanded to 39 weeks and benefits extended to those who are self-employed, gig workers and freelancers. Benefits will also increase by an additional $600 per week for up to four months.
- Mortgage Relief: Homeowners with federal-backed mortgages can apply for forbearance for six months through their lender.
- Paid Sick Leave: Both full-time and part-time employees are eligible for 80 hours of paid sick leave, and those caring for a sick loved one are eligible for two-thirds pay.
- Paid Family Leave: Up to 12 weeks of family leave is available for those who need to stay home because of school closures due to COVID-19.
- Student Loans: Federal student loan payments are automatically suspended for six months and no interest will accrue
Below are ways Prince George’s County will also support our county during these unprecedented times:
- The Department of Social Services’ buildings are closed to the public, but @PGCDSS is still here to help you.
- All childcare centers are being closed in the State, except for those providing childcare for essential workers such as doctors, nurses, police officers, and others. If you are an essential worker that needs child care, visit: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/
- You can visit EmployPG.com/COVID19 to answers concerns listed below and other questions regarding unemployment:
- When and how to apply for unemployment insurance
- If you are filing for unemployment and need help finding a job
- If the business you work for temporarily shuts down due to COVID-19
- If your employer reduces your hours due to COVID-19
- If your employer shuts down due to COVID-19
Information on Unemployment
For residents who may be facing unemployment due to being laid off, Employ Prince George’s is launching the Prince George’s County COVID-19 Hourly Employee Assistance Fund. The fund is available for laid-off hourly workers who earned less than $19 an hour, giving Prince George’s County residents access to an Employ Prince George’s cash card of up to $200. Several retailers, grocers, and restaurants in Prince George’s County will offer discounts to those making purchases with these Employ Prince George’s cash cards. Employ Prince George’s will begin taking applications the week of April 6th online here.
For Updated Information on How to Apply for Unemployment or Questions about COVID-19 Unemployment Contact:
Maryland:
DC:
Virginia:
COVD-19 Screening
There is a COVID-19 screening site at the FedExField. This location is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, by appointment only. Our residents who do not have access to a primary care physician can begin the process of making an appointment at no-cost through the Prince George’s County’s Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline by calling 301-883-6627. Those who have a prescription to be tested from their primary care doctor must also call our hotline to receive an appointment date and time to go to the site for testing.
Update on PGCPS system
Dr. Goldson announced plans for distance learning. Starting April 14th, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will be teaching students remotely under a distance learning platform. PGCPS has conducted a technology needs-assessment survey and is currently distributing Chromebooks to students in need to assist them with this phase of learning. To learn more about distance learning plans and Chromebook distribution, please click here. Know that under Maryland’s new stay-at-home order, picking up meals, digital devices, and instructional materials necessary for distance learning is permitted.
The County programs listed below are still available to our residents:
The Office of the Sheriff is reminding citizens that neither the Sheriff nor other law enforcement agencies will call residents about outstanding legal matters, including requesting payment to resolve any legal matter. The Sheriff advises citizens to be on alert for scammers who may be taking advantage of the fact that families are at home more than usual due to COVID-19.
The Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) has added many new virtual programs, including a weekly Community Conversation with CEO Roberta Phillips (Thursdays at 4 PM), Virtual Read-Alouds (weekdays at 10 or 11am), STEM at Home activities (Fridays at 12 PM), Storytelling with ASL (Saturdays at 10:30 AM), and Yoga for Kids (Saturdays at 11 AM). View the full virtual event lineup here.
New temporary resources are added daily (English & Spanish) and home access is now available for Ancestry and Foundation Directory Online Essential. Those who do not have library cards may register for a virtual library card that provides access to eBooks, audiobooks, streaming music and movies, and online resources (including Kanopy and Hoopla). Prince Georgians are reminded to complete the Online Library Survey by Friday, April 10, 2020.
Our Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) has modified its delivery of services as it abides by the social distancing directive, however the agency continues to assist customers through increased online services. Every effort is being made to be as responsive as possible to those who require services. For more information, visit the DPIE website.
Finally, the Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission has halted in-person appointments. Their efforts to fight discrimination and to ensure Prince George’s County is a welcoming place for all who live, work, and play here continue. If you have a complaint of discrimination and would like to schedule an intake appointment to discuss your complaint, please call 240-695-7220. All intake appointments will be conducted by phone or via video conference until further notice. For more information about the Human Relations Commission, please visit their website.