COVID-19 has impacted the daily lives of everyone in Philly. At The Center for Growth, we want to do everything we can to help you stay safe and sane during this trying time. We are continuing to offer sessions to existing and new clients. Additionally, we’ve put together a list of resources to help our clients stay housed and fed. This list is up-to-date as of today, March 17th, 2020. Continue checking with the Philadelphia city website for changing information.
If your student or you need health insurance ....
- Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) can help your students get health Insurance, including students whose parents lost jobs and their employer-based health insurance. Families can call PCCY’s Health Helpline to sign up for Medicaid or CHIP for FREE, over the phone and in any language at 215-563-5848 x17.
If you are worried about staying in your home...
- Current evictions were frozen as of 3/15/2020, but new eviction cases are still be processed as of 3/17/2020 https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-halts-evictions-as-coronavirus-bears-down/
- PECO will not shut off electricity during the crisis. “Effective March 13, 2020, PECO is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least May 1, 2020. In addition, PECO will continue to remind customers of existing bill assistance resources and energy assistance programs to support them through temporary or extended financial hardship”. Link to apply for payment plan is here: https://www.peco.com/SafetyCommunity/Safety/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
- WATER “Effective, March 16, PWD and the Water Revenue Bureau will work together to restore water service to all delinquent residential and commercial customers through Friday, May 15, 2020, and the restoration fee will be waived. In addition, we will not shut off water service for delinquent residential and commercial accounts through May 15, 2020.”
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/PAPHILAWATER/bulletins/28115e5
- GAS: “Effective March 13, PGW is suspending non-payment terminations until May 1, 2020. PGW also plans to waive new late payment charges.” https://www.pgworks.com/residential/covid-19
- COMCAST has a range of options to provide internet to folks who need it. https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
If you lost your job and/or income due to COVID-19...
- Philly has opened up unemployment benefits for residents impacted by covid. https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/covid19.aspx
If you need free meals for your children...
- Philly is providing free meals to minors at locations throughout the city, listed here: https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-14-find-free-meals-and-safe-spaces-for-students-while-schools-are-closed/
If you need COVID-19 testing...
- Clients can get testing at these sites (as of 3/17/2020) https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/coronavirus/how-and-where-to-get-tested-for-coronavirus/2329912/
If you need therapy…
The Center for Growth has switched to a video-session model. We provide all clients with a free, HPPA-compliant app with which to attend sessions from home. And we are still accepting new clients! Book online or call our intake line at 215-922-5683 x 100.
