Oyster Bay - East Norwich Chamber of Commerce has put together the following website to highlight important information regarding our local community and businesses: Community Resources
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Resources
Unemployment Benefits - Expanded on 12/27/2020
Those on unemployment will receive a $300 weekly federal enhancement in benefits through March 14. The amount is half of the earlier federal boost, which ran out at the end of July. Also, the package extends by 11 weeks two other pandemic unemployment programs that were created in the CARES Act in March and were set to expire at year's end.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program initially expanded jobless benefits to gig workers, freelancers, independent contractors, the self-employed and certain people affected by the coronavirus for up to 39 weeks. The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program provided an additional 13 weeks of payments to those who exhaust their regular state benefits. Both programs will now close to new applicants on March 14, but continue through April 5 for existing claimants who have not yet reached the maximum number of weeks.
Also, the measure provides a federally funded $100 per week additional benefit to those who have at least $5,000 in annual self-employment income but are disqualified from receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance because they are eligible for regular state unemployment benefits.
In addition, the package gives states the authority to waive overpayments in cases where the claimant is not at fault. The package also continues full federal financing of extended benefits through mid-March, providing up to 20 additional weeks of payments depending on a state's unemployment rate. Typically, states and the federal government split the tab.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program initially expanded jobless benefits to gig workers, freelancers, independent contractors, the self-employed and certain people affected by the coronavirus for up to 39 weeks. The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program provided an additional 13 weeks of payments to those who exhaust their regular state benefits. Both programs will now close to new applicants on March 14, but continue through April 5 for existing claimants who have not yet reached the maximum number of weeks.
Also, the measure provides a federally funded $100 per week additional benefit to those who have at least $5,000 in annual self-employment income but are disqualified from receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance because they are eligible for regular state unemployment benefits.
In addition, the package gives states the authority to waive overpayments in cases where the claimant is not at fault. The package also continues full federal financing of extended benefits through mid-March, providing up to 20 additional weeks of payments depending on a state's unemployment rate. Typically, states and the federal government split the tab.
Rental Assistance
The new legislation signed on 12/27/2020 extends the eviction protection set to expire at the end of the year until January 31. It also provides $25 billion in rental assistance for individuals who lost their sources of income during the pandemic.
The Nassau County COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
The Community Development Corporation of Long Island (“CDC-LI”) will administer the program, which will cover up to three months of unpaid rent as of April 2020 for households earning no more than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Rental assistance payments will be made directly to the property owner or property manager, not to renters.
Program Summary and Eligibility Criteria, please click here: ENGLISH | SPANISH | CREOLE
NYS COVID Rent Relief Program
New application period will be open Friday, Dec. 18 through Monday, Feb. 1, 2021.The COVID Rent Relief Extension Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. The Covid Rent Relief Extension Program is not first come, first served. Applications will be accepted throughout the application period. HCR will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need."
For the next round of applications, tenants will have to meet all of the following criteria:
Program Summary | Program Application
The Nassau County COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
The Community Development Corporation of Long Island (“CDC-LI”) will administer the program, which will cover up to three months of unpaid rent as of April 2020 for households earning no more than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Rental assistance payments will be made directly to the property owner or property manager, not to renters.
Program Summary and Eligibility Criteria, please click here: ENGLISH | SPANISH | CREOLE
NYS COVID Rent Relief Program
New application period will be open Friday, Dec. 18 through Monday, Feb. 1, 2021.The COVID Rent Relief Extension Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. The Covid Rent Relief Extension Program is not first come, first served. Applications will be accepted throughout the application period. HCR will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need."
For the next round of applications, tenants will have to meet all of the following criteria:
- Must be a renter and have a primary residence in New York State;
- Applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020;
- Before March 7, 2020 and at the time the application is submitted, household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size; and
- Households must be “rent burdened” during the months they are applying for assistance between April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.
Program Summary | Program Application
Nutrition Assistance
The new federal package raises SNAP benefits by 15% for six months but does not expand eligibility. It also expands the Pandemic-EBT program to families with children under age 6 who receive food stamps, deeming them "enrolled" in child care and eligible for benefits. The program now provides money to low-income families with school-age children in lieu of the free and reduced-price meals they would have received in school.
The package sends $400 million to food banks and food pantries through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
It also provides $175 million for nutrition services for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels, and $13 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which serves more than 700,000 older Americans monthly.
Local Resources: Life Enrichment Senior Center | The People's Pantry
The package sends $400 million to food banks and food pantries through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
It also provides $175 million for nutrition services for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels, and $13 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which serves more than 700,000 older Americans monthly.
Local Resources: Life Enrichment Senior Center | The People's Pantry
Opportunities
Uber Eats
Recognizing how important it was for all of us to help the restaurant community during this time, Uber Eats created a way for you to give directly to the restaurants you love. Restaurant contributions* are now available in over 20 countries, allowing others to give directly to restaurants around the world.
*Contributions to restaurants are not tax deductible.
*Contributions to restaurants are not tax deductible.
