Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund Program Announcements:
Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund Program Announcements:
3/31/2021
Outreach and Application Assistance Project – Survey
Submissions Due April 6, 2021 end of business day.
The Department of Social and Health Services Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance is looking for community-based organizations that can help reach within immigrant communities to support those who have been excluded from federal pandemic relief and/or state unemployment benefits by applying for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund.
DSHS is looking to gather information, via a survey, about your current organizational capacity and your reach within the undocumented immigrant community to implement outreach strategies and support application assistance. We are especially interested in how organizations conduct outreach with harder to reach undocumented Black/African and Asian/Pacific Islander immigrant communities.
DSHS has $230,000 available for community-based organizations to conduct 1) outreach and/or 2) in-language application assistance. These contracts will range between $8,000 and $10,000. Results from this survey will help us make final decisions regarding our outreach and in-language assistance partnerships for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. This survey is for information gathering purposes only. The completion of this form is not a guarantee of contract awards.
Project estimated timeline:
April 6: SURVEY SUBMISSIONS DUE TO DSHS/ORIA
April 7-8: Surveys reviewed by DSHS and Notify CBO’s of intent to contract
April 12: Finalize contracting
April 13: Kick-off meeting
April 15 – May 15: WA COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund open application period
April 15 – June 15: WA COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund Applications processed, grants disbursed.
If you are interested in participating in this project please fill out this survey no later than April 6th, 2021 end of business day: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ImmigrantReliefFundOutreachSurvey.
**Because this is a fast moving project and we want to be one step ahead we ask that after submitting your survey, you complete the DSHS Contractor Intake Form (pg 2-4). You do not need to submit the Supporting Documentation listed at end of page 4. Please send the contractor intake form to Alejandra Palomino, ORIA Program Consultant, at alejandra.palomino@dshs.wa.gov.
Update on: 12/06/2020
Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund- Applications
The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund applications are currently closed.
The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund opened for applications on Oct. 21, 2020. The relief fund will provide $40 million in federal CARES Act funding to distribute a one-time cash grant of $1,000 per person (up to $3,000 per household) to Washington residents who are ineligible because of immigration status for federal stimulus funds or unemployment benefits.
To be eligible, individuals must be:
- A Washington state resident, and
- At least 18 years of age, and
- Have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (such as losing employment, being diagnosed with COVID-19, have had to care for a family member diagnosed with COVID-19) and,
- Did not receive the federal stimulus check and/or are not able to receive unemployment compensation because of their immigration status.
Eligible community members can apply by:
COVID-19 Updates
The Washington Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance recognizes that refugee and immigrant communities are significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ORIA partners with organizations across the state to continue to offer services that are culturally relative and in the preferred language. Program and service changes and updates related to COVID-19 will be posted here:
New COVID-19 Emergency Support Services for Refugee Fund
The Washington Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance established a fund to provide resources for refugees and other eligible immigrant individuals and families to receive short-term assistance to cover immediate needs, including rent, utilities, internet and other approved costs. Eligible participants can access these resources by applying at one of ORIA’s contracted services providers. Contact information is available on this program announcement.
Extension of Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance Program
Washington extended Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance benefits due to COVID-19. If you are a single or married refugee or humanitarian immigrant without children, and are not currently receiving cash or medical assistance, you may be eligible. Please apply by calling the DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233, or you can apply online at WashingtonConnection.org For more information, please refer to the program announcement.
COVID-19 Resources
The Washington Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance has created a COVID-19 Translated Resource Directory. This directory shares information in over 100 languages with different formats, including fact sheets flyers, posters, audio recordings, and videos.
COVID-19 Response Services
In response to COVID-19, contracted service providers are offering a menu of different service options to meet the current and changing needs of immigrants and refugees in our communities. These services include:
These services include the following:
- Conduct a Needs Assessment that addresses overall financial stability, housing, employment, social and emotional well-being, child and youth, and elders and health and medical needs;
- Information and referrals on resources for COVID-19, 2020 Census, public benefits and new stimulus programs and updates on available services and resources;
- Providing and/or connecting with new services, including helping people apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits, addressing food insecurity, addressing gaps in child care and employer outreach and engagement;
- Education and Client Engagement offering opportunities to address social isolation through remote options, engaging volunteers to support new community members remotely and providing distance learning options for civics and ESL classes.
