COVID-19 Resources for Individuals, Families, and Businesses
Below is a compilation of resources intended to help anyone that is looking for assistance due to the uncertain and difficult circumstances the COVID-19 pandemic has put us in.
Resources
Gaining Access to Food
For Students and Children: If your Milwaukee Public School students needs a meal during school closures, there are 20 distribution areas where students can pick up meals. Find locations here.
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee is also providing meals to children, 18 years old and younger.
Find answers here to questions on how the pandemic will impact USDA Child Nutrition programs.
For Adults and Children: The Hunger Task Force has compiled a map of sites that provide food to adults and children throughout Milwaukee. Find locations here.
Assistance During Unemployment
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has stated that if you lost your job because your company closed as a result of the pandemic, you are eligible to receive unemployment insurance if you meet certain criteria. And as of March 17th, Governor Evers issued an emergency order and waived the work search requirement for unemployment benefits.
You can apply for unemployment benefits here.
Servicios de Beneficios del Seguro de Desempleo de Wisconsin
The Department of Labor has provided information for employees and employers on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which expands paid sick leave and paid family leave:
Housing
Tips for Milwaukee Tenants
Tips for Tenants Across Wiscosin
Tips for Milwaukee Landlords-Milwaukee County's Department of Health and Human Services (Housing Division)
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Coronavirus Resources
MacConon Brown Homeless Sanctuary
Revitalize Milwaukee Free Home Repairs
National Housing Conference Resources
Utility Assistance
Public Service Commission Chairwoman Rebecca Valcq has suspended all utility disconnections. Customers can also request deferred payment plans and companies can
offer budget plans to help customers manage their bills If you have questions about your utility service, click here.
New COVID-19 Energy Assistance Guidelines
Education
If your student requires an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and you have questions about their education requirements during the pandemic, click here.
Student Loans
If you are struggling to pay your student loans during the pandemic, you could be placed in administrative forbearance, which would temporarily allow you stop making loan payments without facing penalties.
Emergency Assistance for Small Businesses
If you are a small business owner and have questions about how to receive assistance during the pandemic, click here.
Wisconsin's Economic Development Corporation announced grants to small businesses that have been impacted by the public health crisis. Find more information here.
Find out here if your business is considered an essential or non-essential service under Governor Evers' Safer at Home order.
Information for Small Business Owners Regarding the Third Coronavirus Relief Package
Apply for an Economic Injury Loan through the Small Business Administration here.
Child Care
Governor Evers has issued an order that restricts capacity of childcare centers to no more than 50 children or 10 staff members.
Find resources here if you are a health care worker in need of child care
Transportation
COVID-19 Information from Wisconsin's Department of Transportation
Information on the Milwaukee County Transit System's Reduced Services
The Hop Streetcar Schedule (Beginning March 26th)
Seniors
To help ensure seniors can safely buy groceries, all Pick ‘n Save, and Metro Market stores will hold hours for only the elderly to shop. The hours will be from 6-8 am, seven days a week.
Milwaukee seniors (older than age 60) who meet certain income criteria can receive a free box of healthy food from the Hunger Task Force.
The Milwaukee County on Aging is providing home-delivered meals and food available for pick up.
If you or someone you know is an older adult living in isolation, they can call Jewish Family Services to talk about dealing with isolation and the issues that arise from it.
Finances
Wisconsin Bank Resources
Several banks are providing assistance for customers facing financial troubles, please check with your banking institution to know which resources are available to you and for the most updated information.
Associated Bank
US BankChase Bank
Wells Fargo
TD Bank
Quicken Loans
Bank of America
FDIC Economic Impact Payment Information
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Deadline Extension for Tax Filing and Federal Income Payment
Economic Impact Payments: What you Need to Know
If you receive Social Security, your economic impact payment will automatically be deposited. Read more here.
Social Security and SSI beneficiaries who have dependent children under 17 and did not file taxes in 2018 or 2019 should click here and fill out their information instead of wait for their payment to be automatically deposited.
Veterans
The Veterans Benefits Center is no longer allowing face-to-face appointments. Visit MyWisVets.com to determine if you are eligible for certain benefits.
The Milwaukee Veterans Affairs Medical Center will now only fill prescriptions for hospital discharges and emergency requests.
COVID-19 Updates from Wisconsin's Department of Veterans Affairs
Other Resources
Use GoodRx if you need help paying for prescription drugs.
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