Solid Ground has helped our community overcome crises for over 45 years – and we’re here now to help people and our community during the pandemic. Check this webpage for resources and updates, or call our main phone line at 206.694.6700.
Topics on this page:*
*While this page is updated weekly, please be aware that COVID-19 information is rapidly and continuously shifting, and some resources listed may not be the most current available.
Food Resources
Food Bank Maps:
- Find Your Local Food Bank – The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year through food pantries and meal programs throughout the United States and leads the nation to engage in the fight against hunger.
- Seattle Food Committee’s Food Bank Directory & Food Bank Map – Links to 29 Seattle food banks, with information about current hours and services during the pandemic
- Seattle-Area COVID-19 Emergency Food Resources Map – maintained by City of Seattle Human Services
Food Lifeline
- Home Delivery – United Way of King County and Food Lifeline are offering free home delivery of emergency food boxes across Seattle, North King County, and East King County during COVID-19. We are actively working to expand to South King County. To request a food box, fill out the online form, or call Toll-Free at 833.540.0800, Mondays to Fridays from 11am-4pm.
- “Free Food This Week” webpage
- COVID-19 webpage
Food Safety COVID-19 Resources
A comprehensive listing of best practices resources to help manage COVID-19 risk for people at home and for food environments such as restaurants, grocery stores, food banks, gardens, and farms (based on guidance and best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), World Health Organization (WHO) and the best available science). All items are peer reviewed by an expert panel, and many are translated into Spanish and/or Mandarin. Topics include: ⇒Food Safety Basics ⇒Dining Out ⇒Grocery Shopping ⇒Takeout ⇒Grocery Store Safety/Shopping & Handling Groceries ⇒Cleaning & Disinfecting Reusable Bags ⇒Bulk Meat Sales Safety ⇒Cloth Face Coverings and much more.
Free Grab-and-Go Meals (Puget Sound area) – A King 5 News listing of places to find free grab-and-go meals for kids at Puget Sound schools during the coronavirus shutdown.
Free Meals Sites During School Closures (WA State) – United Way’s statewide listings for free meals.
Hopelink Food Banks & Mobile Markets: Food for anyone who needs it, not just Hopelink customers.
- Food Banks – Every Tuesday 12-4pm, Wednesday 3-7pm and Thursday 10am-2pm, ALL five of Hopelink’sfood banks are giving away food to anyone.
- Mobile Markets – Hopelink’s Mobile Market distributes food around the King County community. Everything is free!
Neighbors Feeding Neighbors Food Resources in Seattle – A list of food resources for those in the greater Seattle area, separated by location, updated regularly as new resources become available for those affected by the COVID-19.
Quarantined, I need help! King County Washington Facebook group – A group for people struggling with access to food and those interesting in volunteering. See topics to connect with people willing to bring your prepaid orders or apply online to request help.
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Health & Medical Resources
King County COVID-19 Call Center
The Call Center is open to answer questions daily, 8am-7pm, PT. The best source of information for you and your family during this evolving situation is Public Health — Seattle & King County.
Who to call:
- If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you’re a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact the Novel Coronavirus Call Center: 206.477.3977.
- For general questions about COVID-19 or Washington State’s response, please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800.525.0127.
- If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, call your healthcare provider. Isolate yourself and wear a mask before leaving your home. Do not go to the emergency room; emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9.1.1.
MORE INFO: Visit www.kingcounty.gov/COVID and alert.seattle.gov for the most up-to-date information, and sign up for @AlertSeattle, the City of Seattle’s emergency notification system, to receive customized alerts via text, email, voicemail, Facebook, or Twitter (message and data rates may apply).
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Basic COVID-19 Health Information
- Seattle & King County Department of Public Health is the best source of up-to-date COVID-19 information for our region.
- Coronavirus Online Assessment Tool (developed by Providence and Microsoft)
- CDC’s Get the Facts About Coronavirus website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Face Masks & Cloth Coverings Tips – As of May 18, 2020, King County residents are directed to wear face coverings in most public settings.
- When am I required to wear a face mask or cloth face covering? (Washington State Coronavirus Response)
- Steps to Take if You are Sick or think you may be infected with coronavirus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance)
- What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 (Washington State Department of Health)
Behavioral Health Information
- How to Support a Loved One Going Through a Tough Time During COVID-19 (Mental Health First Aid)
- Loneliness — the workplace anxiety of the ‘New Normal’ – An informative article from Fingerprint for Success (F4S) on managing anxiety, isolation, and remote loneliness during today’s COVID-19 pandemic.
- Mental Health & COVID-19 – Information from the Mayo Clinic
- Washington Listens Fact Sheet – Washington State’s Crisis Counseling Program (CCP), Washington Listens provides non-clinical psychoeducation-based support to people experiencing elevated stress due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing
- Information on Getting Tested (Washington State Department of Health)
- Free COVID-19 Testing is available from Public Health – Seattle & King County for people with symptoms of COVID-19 who are at highest risk for severe illness from the disease and don’t have regular access to healthcare. Symptomatic healthcare providers, workers in congregate care settings, and people working in critical infrastructure occupations will also be served.
–Downtown Public Health Center (2124 – 4th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98121) – No appointment needed; walk-up and drive-up hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4pm - Free OPEN Access COVID-19 Testing Locations (PDF – last updated 6/4/2020) – The following locations provide free COVID-19 testing regardless of immigration or insurance status. They are open to anyone who cannot access a COVID-19 test through their regular healthcare provider. Most sites are nonprofit Community Health Centers; language interpretation services are available at most locations at no cost.
- Free Seattle Drive-through COVID-19 Testing Sites (through a partnership with King County & UW Medicine) -Registration is required online (see below) or over the phone at 206.684.2489. Hours for both sites: Monday-Saturday, 9:30am-4pm
Aurora Testing Site
12040 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA 98133
SODO Testing Site
3820 6th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98108
Any staff or resident of a shelter with any of the following symptoms are eligible for testing:
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of these symptoms:
- Fever (100.4°F or higher)
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.
BACK TO TOPFor People Experiencing Homelessness
- COVID Testing Sites for People Experiencing Homelessness (as of 4/2/2020)
- Healthcare for the Homeless Network (HCHN): Up-to-date information on King County’s COVID-19 Response for people experiencing homelessness.
- covidhomelessnessresponse@kingcounty.gov: Subscribe to the mailing list
Information on Isolation & Quarantine Facilities
For those who cannot self-isolate or quarantine in their own home, and for those who do not have a home, King County is creating isolation and quarantine sites at multiple locations. Isolation and quarantine is a proven public health practice for reducing the spread of disease. Examples of people who may need this assistance include those who do not have a separate bedroom in their home away from a family member who is elderly or medically fragile, students in congregate dormitory settings, or people experiencing homelessness. Individuals can only be placed into these sites after a health professional with Public Health – Seattle & King County has determined that they need isolation or quarantine.
Call Center & Mobile Assessment Team – Notify the King County Call Center at 800.525.0127 if there is concern about COVID-like-illness circulating in a shelter or other congregate housing facility. A disease investigator will follow up to gather more information, and Public Health will deploy a Mobile Assessment Team to do testing at the facility if advised.
Bathrooms Open at Seattle Public Libraries – The restrooms at the following Library locations are currently open 10AM-6PM, Monday through Sunday:
- Ballard Branch (5614 22nd Ave NW)
- Beacon Hill Branch (2821 Beacon Ave S)
- University Branch (5009 Roosevelt Way NE)
- Capitol Hill Branch (425 Harvard Ave E)
- Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave)
No other services will be offered in those buildings when the restrooms are open. Locations will be staffed with security personnel, custodial workers, and library staff. To help prevent further spread of COVID-19, Library branches will employ social distancing protocols, ask patrons to complete a brief COVID-19 health screener prior to entering the building, and will limit the number of individuals permitted in the building for restroom use at a time. The restrooms will be regularly cleaned in accordance with guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Mobile Shower Stations – Seattle has set up several mobile shower stations to help residents experiencing homelessness stay hygienic during the coronavirus pandemic. All locations include restrooms, and some offer access to showers and laundry services. Some are open to the general public, while some are funded only for those experiencing homelessness – and other locations are designed for specific groups of people such as women or children. The first trailer was deployed at King Street Station in mid-May.
Here are the current trailer locations:
- King Street Station Jackson Plaza (303 S Jackson St)
- Seattle Center International Fountain (305 Harrison St)
- University Heights Center (5301 University Way NE)
For an interactive map showing the locations of all city-funded hygiene services, visit visit Seattle.gov’s Addressing Homelessness webpage, and scroll down to the City-Funded Hygiene Services Available During COVID-19 Crisis section.
For more info: Call the Seattle Free Shower Hotline, 206.386.1030.
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Housing & Utilities Resources
- Byrd Barr Place Rental Assistance – Byrd Barr Place helps renters avoid eviction with temporary rental assistance and connections to housing resources.
- City of Bellevue Rental Assistance – To apply for funding, leave a message between 12:01am-11:59pm on Wednesdays only on this dedicated hotline 206.694.6780. Counselors will call you back to screen for eligibility. Bellevue residents may can still call 2-1-1 to be screened for rental assistance and get information on other rental assistance resources in the community. (Please note: We review messages in random order to be as fair as possible for people whose schedules only allow them to leave messages at certain times. Depending on the call volume, we may not be able to get back to everyone; please allow one week after your initial call before you leave another message, and thank you for your patience!)
- City of Seattle Utility Discount Program – Eligibility and application information for discounted utilities for Seattle residents.
- Coordinated Entry for All Providers by WA State County
- Eviction & Late Fee Moratoriums (Federal & WA State) – A graph of information on Federal and State evictions and late fee moratoriums.
- Rental & Flexible Financial Assistance (updated 6/1/20) – A list of programs supported by King County General Funds of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy offering rental assistance and flexible financial assistance for our most vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Compiled by King County Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS) Adult Services Division (ASD) staff.)
- WA State Eviction Moratorium extended through 8/1/20 – In order to keep people safely home, Washington State and local lawmakers have instated increased protections for renters during this crisis, including extending Governor Jay Inslee’s statewide moratorium on residential evictions through August, 2020. Here’s what this means for renters. (Full text of Governor Jay Inslee’s proclamation extending and amending bans on rent hikes and evictions.)
- Searchable list of all Multifamily Properties Subject to Federal Eviction Moratoriums – National Low Income Housing Coalition
- Help & Assistance for WA State Homeowners – Mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention information for Washington state homeowners.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Assistance – PSE has funds available to help customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those who recently became unemployed, partially unemployed, or cannot work. These carryover funds from PSE’s Low Income Program are available to residential customers in Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties who meet the household size and income criteria.
TO APPLY:
- Create and/or sign into your my PSE account either on www.pse.com or via the my PSE mobile app for smartphones or other mobile devices, then go to the Energy Portal’s CACAP portal link.
- Submit a complete and accurate application at www.pse.com, including: 1) Proof or a self-declaration of unemployment or underemployment and 2) Photo ID with date of birth of the customer. (All supporting documents can be either scanned or photographed to create a JPEG picture file which can be uploaded to the portal.)
QUESTIONS? Contact Brandon Leyritz, King County Outreach Lead, at 425.417.5925 or visit www.pse.com/covidhelp.
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Jobs & Unemployment Resources
- CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act: The CARES Act provides a much-needed boost to the nation’s unemployment benefits and extends eligibility to recognize many workers and situations that previously didn’t qualify. See
–Stimulus Checks – CARES Fact Sheet
–Unemployment – CARES Fact Sheet
- Critical Job Opportunities – Essential businesses are currently recruiting and hiring for multiple entry-level job openings in King County, WA.
- More WorkSource Job Opportunities – WorkSource offices statewide are closed for in-person services due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but customers can get help from WorkSource staff at 833.572.8400, through their Live Chat feature and by using WorkSourceWA.com.
- Multilingual Expanded Unemployment Insurance Information – Neighborhood House provides videos in multiple languages and a list of multilingual Employment Specialists people can contact for help finding a job or applying for unemployment benefits.
- Unemployment Benefits (WA State) – Employment Security Department information on eligibility and how to apply for WA State unemployment.
Legal Help & Public Benefits
How to Get Things Done in King County Superior Court During COVID-19 When You Do Not Have an Attorney – This document provides info on how to access the court during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some processes have temporarily changed to make it easier to participate in court cases from home and minimize travel to courthouses.
Free webinars on public benefits during COVID-19
The Statewide Poverty Action Network and partners Solid Ground, Northwest Justice Project, King County Bar Association’s Housing Justice Project, Catholic Community Services’ Tenant Law Center, Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP), Benefits Law Center, and Unemployment Law Project partnered to create and offer a series of free webinars on temporary changes to state and federal benefits and housing policies.
- Webinar: State Benefits During COVID-19
- Webinar: SSI/SSDI Benefits During COVID-19
- Mini-Webinar: Updated Tenant Rights During COVID-19
- Webinar: Veterans Rights 4.2.20
- See additional webinars & resources on ELAP’s website
Public Benefits & Legal Help to Access Them
Solid Ground’s Benefits Legal Assistance attorneys provide FREE legal help to get or keep WA State public benefits, and they are open for business as usual during the COVID-19 crisis. If you are having an issue obtaining or maintaining your state public benefits, please contact us at 206.694.6742 or benefitslegalhelp@solid-ground.org.
Additionally, Washington State has made temporary changes to public benefits systems that may impact your ability to get or keep state benefits. These changes are current as of June 11, 2020. Note that they are temporary and will be in place until the state indicates otherwise, so be sure to check back in for up-to-date changes.
- Update to all benefits programs (TANF, ABD, HEN, SNAP): As of April 24, 2020, any individual or family with benefits certification periods ending in April or May automatically get an additional six-month extension to October or November 2020. Also, DSHS will waive the mid-certification review requirements for the remainder of April and May, and participants will continue to receive benefits through the end of their certification period as long as they meet all other eligibility criteria.
- AGED, BLIND, & DISABLED (ABD): The state will not be enforcing sanctions due to the participant’s inability to follow required treatment, vocational rehabilitation, and/or SSI requirements.
- BASIC FOOD ASSISTANCE / ABAWD: Prior to COVID-19, Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWDs) received Basic Food Assistance for three months and then were terminated unless participants met certain work requirements or other criteria, including ⇒an inability to work due to a physical or mental limitation, ⇒caring for a minor child, and ⇒pregnancy. However, participants in all counties will be temporarily able to continue receiving those benefits and will not be terminated after three months. In addition, if your ABAWD was previously terminated after you used your three months, you are now eligible for food benefits under this temporary rule and should reapply for food benefits immediately. This means you will NOT be penalized if you are unable to meet the work requirement, and you will be able to continue receiving food benefits.
- Additional Supplemental Food Benefits Available:
- Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)/Emergency School Meals Program – Families with students who receive free or reduced lunch in in K-12 schools, or who attend a school where meals are free to all students, may receive additional food benefits while schools are closed. If a family already receives Basic Food benefits, the P-EBT will be automatically added to your EBT card by June 30. Families that do not already receive Basic Food need to apply for the P-EBT program online or by phone at 877.501.2233. If a student does not meet the initial free/reduced lunch requirement but the family does want to pursue the P-EBT benefit, contact the student’s local school to apply for free/reduced lunch, then apply for P-EBT. The value of the benefit varies.
- Additional Basic Food benefits – Many recipients who receive Basic Food benefits have additional funds available for March-June, 2020. Most recipients will receive the maximum amount of food benefit for their household size for these months, regardless of income level. (Note: If a participant has an overpayment in place, that family is not eligible for the additional benefits.)
- DSHS (Department of Social and Health Services, WA State) RESOURCES: COVID-19-related information such as childcare resources available to families, new rules to protect older adults in nursing homes and living facilities, Paid Family Medical Leave information, and more.
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- Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP) – Available for one month, in a 12-month period, to all Washington State families and people without children, who meet income and resource rules and who are NOT eligible for other cash programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) cash; Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA); Unemployment Compensation; or Paid Family & Medical Leave through ESD or their employer. TO APPLY: Call the Customer Service Contact Center at 877.501.2233 (Language Line interpreters are available), or apply online at WashingtonConnection.org.
- Food, Cash, & Medical Support (WA State) – Find out if you are eligible for expanded food, cash, and medical supports available in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF):
- Extending Program Benefit Time Limits: Effective April 1, 2020, all TANF applicants and current recipients will be granted Time Limit Extensions (TLE) when they reach the 60-month time limit for program participation. These extensions will remain in place for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. Applicants previously denied TANF due to exceeding the 60-month time limit are encouraged to apply again.
- Suspending WorkFirst Sanction Process: All WorkFirst sanctions and terminations are suspended as of March 16, 2020.
- Restarting benefits when terminated in sanctions: Participants who were terminated from TANF in the sanctions process will no longer have to cure their sanction prior to restarting TANF benefits. Participants should contact their WorkFirst case manager or apply on the Washington Connection website to restart benefits.
- Suspending WorkFirst Participation: TANF participants are not required to participate in WorkFirst activities. While WorkFirst activities are still available, a participant’s benefits will not be impacted for failure to participate.
- WorkFirst Orientation: Orientations will be conducted at home, either on the computer or via telephone, and in-person orientations have been suspended.
Other COVID-19 Resources
Child Care
- King County Emergency Child Care for Essential Workers flyer
- Child Care: COVID Communications, Response and Referral Center flyer
Consumer Warnings & Safety Tips
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) information on phone scams during COVID-19
Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP)
Effective April 17, 2020, DSHS’s Community Services Division began administering a Disaster Cash Assistance Program in response to Washington State Governor Jay Inslee’s declaration of a statewide emergency. The DCAP is available for one month, in a 12-month period, to all Washington families and people without children, who meet income and resource rules and who are NOT eligible for other cash programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) cash; Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA); Unemployment Compensation; or Paid Family & Medical Leave through ESD or their employer.
TO APPLY: Call the Customer Service Contact Center at 877.501.2233 (Language Line interpreters are available), or apply online at WashingtonConnection.org.
King County COVID-19 Resource Guide
Resources for small business owners, immigrant and refugee communities, and others seeking unemployment, public health, housing, cash, and utilities assistance. (King County Office of Equity & Social Justice, 4/6/20)
Rental & Flexible Financial Assistance
A list of programs supported by King County General Funds of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy offering rental assistance and flexible financial assistance for our most vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Compiled by King County Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS) Adult Services Division (ASD) staff; updated 6/1/20)
- King County Veterans Program, p. 3
- Employment & Education Resources, p. 4
- Ingersoll Gender Center, pp. 5 & 6
- Minority Veterans of America, p. 7
- Washington Homeownership Resource, p. 8
- Plateau Outreach Ministries, p. 9
- Northwest Justice Project – Foreclosure Prevention, p. 10
- Northwest Justice Project – Eviction Prevention, p. 11
- Mobile Advocacy for Survivors of Domestic & Sexual Violence, p. 12
Translated Language Resources
Basic Information & Resources
- Public Health – Seattle & King County – Materials in 33 different languages
–ASL COVID-19 Info for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing & Deafblind Communities
–Multilingual videos about how to care from someone with COVID-19 - WA State DSHS Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance Economic Services Administration (3/30/20) – A list of translated COVID-19 health education resources in 73 different languages from United States government entities, international non-government agencies, community-based organizations, and selective countries outside the United States.
- Equality Labs – Great basic COVID-19 Community Guides in 13 different languages.
- Stay home message for King Co. residents (Dr. Duchin) – PSA videos in 20 languages
ASL (American Sign Language) Resources
- ASL (American Sign Language) Videos: A series of 20 COVID-19 videos covering lots of COVID-19 health and safety topics from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
- How to Make An Accessible, Deaf-Friendly Face Mask (The Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center): Step-by-step instructions (PDF) on how to make a mask that allows others to see your lips as you speak.
Various Topics – Multiple Language Translations
City of Bellevue Coronavirus Resources – Emergency Financial Assistance, Legal Assistance, Food, Grab & Go Meals for kids & teens, Mental Health Support, and more – including a map of Bellevue School District Food Distribution Sites.
Emergency Child Care for Essential Workers
Isolation & Quarantine Infographic
Know Your Rights During the Coronavirus Pandemic – This guide, created by HIAS, offers information to refugees, asylum seekers, asylees and other immigrants about the rights you have during this uncertain time.
Testing for COVID-19 Infographic
Expanded Unemployment Insurance Information – Neighborhood House provides videos in multiple languages and a list of multilingual Employment Specialists people can contact for help finding a job or applying for unemployment benefits.
Washington’s Employment Security Department (ESD) resources:
Unemployment – CARES Act Fact Sheet – The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act provides a much-needed boost to the nation’s unemployment benefits and extends eligibility to recognize many workers and situations that previously didn’t qualify.
WA State Eviction Moratorium through 6/4/20 – Tenant Protections During COVID-19 Flyer – In order to keep people safely home, Washington State and local lawmakers have instated increased protections for renters during this crisis, including Governor Jay Inslee’s statewide moratorium on residential evictions through June 4, 2020. Here’s what this means for renters.
Español/Spanish Language Translations
Siga estos enlaces para obtener recursos (Español):
- Aprenda sobre el coronavirus (COVID-19) – Learning about Coronavirus
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Instrucciones de cuidado – Coronavirus Care Instructions
- COVID-19: Consejos para la compra de comestibles – Grocery shopping tips (Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington)
Spanish Language WA State Unemployment Insurance Resources
- Agende una llamada con un especialista del centro de reclamos – Schedule unemployment benefits callback in Spanish (WA State Employment Security Department)
- Cómo solicitar beneficios por desempleo – How to Apply for Unemployment Insurance YouTube video (WA State Employment Security Department, 2018)
- Manual para Trabajadores desempleados – Handbook for Unemployed Workers (WA State Employment Security Department, 2017)
- The Unemployment Law Project’s Spanish language flyer about the organization and services
- Recurring Webinar, Mondays, 12-1pm PT: Answers to Questions About COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits – The Unemployment Law Project
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