RESOURCES

 

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 Call 211 or go to 211.org for non-emergency assistance from helping agencies.  Keep in mind that the government responds in much the way you do – by taking care of emergency needs first and taking time to find solutions for longer term issues.  That means that we won’t always have a ‘final answer’ right at the time you call, but we always want to hear what you see coming down the pike, since that helps us shape our response.

 

Fire Resources

 

State Information about Wildfires

Lane County Information about Wildfires

Red Cross Resources

Housing Assistance for Fire Victims

Oregon Wildfire Relief and Recovery

Wildfire Smoke & Health

Firefighting Progress Updates

Road Conditions and Closures

Apply for Wildfire Damage Housing Relief

Apply for FEMA disaster assistance or call 800-621-3362 (for individuals)

Apply for Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters

 

Food  

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Housing 

 

Utilities 

Many utilities have suspended disconnections and late fees during the pandemic, and/or are offering financial assistance to impacted customers. Please check your provider for specific details. 

 

Healthcare 

 

Mental Health  

  • The Oregon Health Authority shared this list of things you can do to take care of your mental health during this difficult time.  

  • The Crisis Text Line: text TALK to 741741  

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK.  

  • Helping Out Teens in Schools (HOOTS)  

  • White Bird Crisis Line: 541-687-4000

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Crime victim services 

  • Call to Crisis Line (formerly the Portland Women Crisis Line) - (503) 235-5333 or toll-free at 888-235-5333  

  

Unemployment 

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  • File online and you do not need to call in to check on its status;  

  • The Employment Department will contact you to complete the process; 

  • Email OED_COVID19_info@oregon.gov if you have a question, but if the question is about the status of your claim, please know that they will contact you to complete the process 

 

Work Share - Alternative to Layoffs When times are tough, Work Share provides Oregon businesses an alternative to layoffs. This newly streamlined program allows employers to leverage unemployment insurance (UI) to subsidize a portion of lost wages for employers whose work time is reduced due to market downturns or other business stressors. 

 

Sick Time and Oregon Family Leave 

The Bureau of Labor and Industries website has all the latest information on sick time and job protections in Oregon. 

  

Childcare 

The Employment Related Daycare (ERDC) program has made changes, eliminating the family copay and increasing the maximum income thresholds for eligibility - the new, increased income guidelines are available on their website by family size. Providers are also able to continue billing under certain circumstances during temporary closures and for children who are not attending due to the current crisis. Providers, parents, and caretakers with questions can contact the Direct Pay Unit at DHS at 1-800-699-9074.  

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  • Apply for emergency related day care through the Oregon Department of Human Services. 

  • Oregon Early Learning Division has provided resources for families and child care providers who may face virus-related disruptions. 

  • Governor Kate Brown has expanded child care benefits for families and providers during the spread of COVID-19. 

  • For childcare providers who are interested in providing emergency childcare: you may apply with the Early Learning Division here. For questions, contact ccrr@wou.edu or call 1-800-342-6712 

  

Taxes 

Filing your tax return can also provide a quick financial lift.  There’s no point in delaying filing if you are due money.  If you file and are owed a refund, it will be paid.  Keep in mind that both the state and federal governments have an Earned Income Tax Credit, so you may be entitled to a refund, even if you don’t usually get one.  Also, you may be eligible for free filing online.  Check here.  

Tax relief information from the Oregon Department of Revenue  

 

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Small business assistance 

The Governor has created a Small Business Resource Navigator housed within Business Oregon. This will help connect small businesses to financial support and information they need to stay in business through the COVID-19 crisis. The Resource Navigator contains comprehensive information on key programs for small businesses.  

 

For smaller businesses, including sole proprietorships and contractors, the SBA will provide a $10,000 grant and up to a $2 million loan through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.  Interested parties should apply through the SBA.  The $10,000 grant usually is approved within hours and does not require continuing with taking sums under the loan program, although the loan application must be completed.  Businesses that choose to take a loan under this program may defer the payments for up to 4 years.  Impacted businesses may apply for both the PPP and EIDL programs.  

 

Oregon’s existing network of community college-associated Small Business Development Centers provides free counseling regarding new and existing options.  Both Lane and Linn Benton Community Colleges host these centers, which continue to operate remotely during this period of social distancing.  E-mail greena@linnbenton.edu or killenr@lanecc.edu for help.  The SCORE network provides free mentoring for those who would like assistance from another local executive.  Answers are available for the asking! 

 

Pets 

The Humane Society has an FAQ with resources for pet owners here.  The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association has answers to your animal health questions here.  For those of you considering adopting a furry friend, most animal shelters are closed to the public, but you can still call to get an appointment to adopt.  If you have horses and need help feeding them, the Oregon Hay Bank would like to help. 

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Legal Aid

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Additional resources 

  • Educating children at home  

  • Identifying Coronavirus Phishing Scams - As this pandemic intensifies, scammers and spies have seized on people’s fear and confusion to steal their private or financial data. This guide lays out the known phishing scams related to the coronavirus and some tips for how consumers can identify new scams and protect themselves.   

  • Dos and Don’ts of Coronavirus Protection - Recently, there’s been a lot of misinformation circulating about how to protect from the coronavirus outbreak, and some companies are even taking advantage of this crisis to market public health and cleaning products that do not work. This guide separates fact from fiction to help consumers keep safe without falling victim to false claims.   

  • Refunding Your Travel During COVID-19 - Calls for social distancing and limiting travel amid the growing crisis has many Americans wondering how to recoup the costs from cancelled travel plans. Our guide breaks down how top airlines and hotels have adjusted their policies and provides instructions for how consumers can refund their bookings with each respective company.   

 

Marty Wilde is a member of the Air National Guard. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or the Department of Defense.

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PAID FOR BY WILDE FOR OREGON 

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