Finance
Unemployed in Pa. Now Eligible for $300 Weekly Federal Relief Pay
Unemployed in Pa. Now Eligible for $300 Weekly Federal Relief Pay
Income and Wages
coronavirus
Scores of Cars Line the Linc for Drive-Thru Backpack Giveaway
Though it looked different than in years past, not even the COVID-19 pandemic could stop the School District of Philadelphia’s annual free backpack giveaway. | From: NBC10/Telemundo62 (Read more.)
Community and Family
The fight to bridge Philly’s COVID-19 digital divide has a hotline to connect families to the Internet
On Aug. 6, Philadelphia launched PHLConnectED, an massive collaboration between the city and some of its biggest private partners to connect those families to the internet ahead of the school year and also offer them digital skills training and tech support. | From: AL DÍA (Read more.)
coronavirus
Indecisive Pennsylvania panel retains a ban on utilities shutting off nonpaying customers
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Thursday postponed a decision on allowing utilities to resume shutoffs of nonpaying customers until Sept. 17, marking the third time the stalemated panel has been unable to agree about lifting a coronavirus moratorium on service terminations. | From: The Philadelphia Inquirer (Read more.)
coronavirus
PA unemployment update: Who gets the extra $300 and how long will it last?
More than 600k Pennsylvanians are currently collecting unemployment. That’s nearly one out of every 20 residents. Some could be eligible for a weekly $300 boost now that FEMA has released an additional $44 billion in funding, with $1.5 billion of it going to Pa. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
coronavirus
Pa. court says you can’t deny cosmetology license based on ‘moral character’
After years of debate and a growing consensus that the law was outdated, Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court has decided the state Board of Cosmetology will no longer be able to deny applicants licenses based on what it perceives to be a lack of “good moral character. | From: WHYY (Read more.)
coronavirus
Philly pauses water shutoffs through September
The Philadelphia Water Department will pause water shutoffs through Sept. 30 and continue to offer residents facing coronavirus-related hardships discounted water rates. | From: WHYY (Read more.)
Income and Wages
Locked out of the economy: Unemployed workers face mounting fiscal, emotional stress
Locked out of the economy: Unemployed workers face mounting fiscal, emotional stress
coronavirus
This Could Be the End of Restaurants as We Know Them. Maybe That’s Not Such a Bad Thing.
This year is proving to be a watershed moment for an industry long riddled with racism, sexism, and worker exploitation. Why — and how — the dining scene must evolve. | From: Philadelphia Magazine (Read more.)
Civic and Community Engagement
Volunteer “PB&J brigade” feeds hungry Philadelphians during COVID-19
The volunteer peanut butter and jelly brigade is helping to feed thousands of people throughout the region during the pandemic. | From: The Philadelphia Citizen (Read more.)