coronavirus – Page 31 – Broke in Philly

Using cash during the coronavirus pandemic is OK. In fact, for many, it’s important.

October 23, 2020

Many people have stopped using cold, hard — and dirty — cash in favor of debit, credit, or contactless forms of payment. Transferred from one person to the next, money is susceptible to picking up a whole host of germs. And naturally, when the coronavirus hit, this left people questioning if cash was safe. But do we really need to be concerned about getting coronavirus from cash? Probably not. | From: The Inquirer (Read more.)

Gov. Wolf Plans to Waive Liquor License Fees to Help Restaurants and Bars Amid Pandemic

October 22, 2020

Wolf announced Thursday that he’s working with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to waive standard licensing fees through 2021 starting on January 1, 2021. Under the plan, more than 16,000 Pennsylvania restaurants and bars, clubs, catering clubs and hotels would see $20 million in relief. | From: NBC10/Telemundo62 (Read more.)

PA unemployment: With hotline overloaded and stimulus on hold, chatbot could help

October 13, 2020

With the state’s phone hotline notoriously hard to get through, the Department of Labor and Industry is bulking up a new chatbot feature. Right now, the website can handle just 500 simultaneous chats, but that’ll ramp up to 50k by the end of the year. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)

Cash aid for renters? Philly revisits plan using lessons from COVID relief

October 13, 2020

Philadelphia is looking to expand a $1.7 million pandemic relief fund for workers into a longer-term cash assistance program for struggling renters in the city. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)

Struggling families’ diaper need is growing as pandemic grinds on

October 9, 2020

While it’s common knowledge that low-income families must apply for food stamps, stand in line at food pantries, and generally fight and fret to stay clothed, housed, and insured during the time of COVID-19, many Americans don’t realize how big a problem the lack of diapers poses. | From: The Inquirer (Read more.)

An additional $20 million is available for Philly small businesses

October 9, 2020

Officials said Thursday that an additional $20 million in grants will soon be available to small businesses in Philadelphia through the federal CARES Act. | From: Metro Philly (Read more.)

Utilities can now cut off non-paying customers, Pa. agency says, but there are safeguards for the poor

October 8, 2020

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Thursday voted 3-1 to again permit service terminations, but put safeguards into place for families and small businesses that are struggling financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PUC’s action resolves a dispute that had stalemated the commission for months over how to end the moratorium. | From: Philadelphia Inquirer (Read more.)

Gov. Wolf extends deadline for CARES Act mortgage and rent relief in PA

October 7, 2020

Pennsylvania renters and homeowners struggling because of the pandemic just got an extra month to apply for relief. The deadline for a state program funded by the CARES Act has been extended to Nov. 4, thanks to an emergency order issued Monday by Governor Tom Wolf. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)

Asian American nonprofits slighted in Philly COVID relief grants – On top of Philly news

October 2, 2020

Asian American nonprofits get low share of Philly’s COVID relief grants, so mutual aid orgs step in

Philadelphia Courts halt evictions through Oct. 7

September 30, 2020

Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan ordered that all residential evictions cease in the city through Oct. 7, extending a prior order set to expire Sept. 23, and giving renters temporary protection from lockouts. | From: PlanPhilly (Read more.)