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1. Evictions:  Landlords are prohibited from filing new eviction complaints and evicting any tenant during a public health emergency and for 60 days after the end of emergency. Starting October 12, landlords can file new eviction complaints for nonpayment of rent if the past due rent is equal to or more than $600 and any of the following applies  

   1. the tenant fails to submit emergency rental assistance application (STAY DC) 

   2. emergency rental assistance application was denied, or it was approved with a balance of equal or greater value than $600 remaining unpaid, and the tenant and housing provider have not established a rental plan within 14 days of denial.

   3. A tenant with a rent payment plan is at least $600 or two months behind on rent, whichever is greater.

   4. The landlord has provided a Notice to Vacate to the tenant that complies with the law 

2. Utilities: Starting October 12, a utility company shall not disconnect, suspend, or reduce service for non-payment of a bill any fees for service or equipment or any other charges if the following applies: 

   1. The company has not engaged the customer regarding past due utilities 

   2. The customer owes less than $600 

   3. The customer has entered into a payment plan with the company and is either meeting the payment plan or is less than two months behind on the payment plan 

   4. Prior to October 12, the customer has requested to enter a payment plan with the company and less than 45 days have elapsed from the request 

   5. The mayor or the customer has provided documentary evidence that the customer qualifies for utility disconnection relief and not more than 90 days has passed since October 12 (STAY DC application pending approval or under appeal, within the last 6 months has received or was approved for a benefit under the LIHEAP, UDP, CAP, or Stay DC, SNAP, TANF or is 21 or older and receiving Medicaid or DC Healthcare Alliance) 

3. Public Benefits: If your benefits (TANF, SNAP, DC Alliance, Medicaid, and childcare vouchers) are going to expire, you do NOT need to visit a service center to renew them. Your benefits will be renewed automatically while DC is in a state of emergency.
   
   Do you need to apply for benefits (TANF, SNAP, DC Alliance, Medicaid, and childcare vouchers)?
   Drop off your completed application at a DHS Service Center. Take a photo of all your application pages and a photo of you dropping the application off.  Here’s an application: https://dhs.dc.gov/publication/combined-application-benefits 
   Need help?  Contact your student services coordinator at your Briya site.
    

4. Unemployment: If you work in DC and you lost your job or had your hours reduced due to the coronavirus, you can apply for unemployment compensation. You must have a social security number to apply. To apply, call 202-724-7000 or go to does.dcnetworks.org/initialclaims/. The website does not work on a phone, only a computer. It is best to use Internet Explorer to open the website.  If you do not have a computer, call the phone number to apply. Problems with unemployment benefits application?  Call Legal Aid  202-628-1161 or First Shift 240-241-0897 for help.

5. DC Family Medical Leave: If you work in DC and you need to stay home from work for a reason related to the coronavirus, your employer must allow you to stay home. Your employer is not required to pay you, but they cannot fire you. Go to dchr.dc.gov/page/family-and-medical-leave-application-form to apply.

6. Homelessness services:  DC Coalition for the homeless- provides addresses for shelters Programs | DC Coalition for the Homeless (dccfh.org)
   DHS Homeless and Homeless Prevention Services- Homeless Services | dhs (dc.gov) gives you lists of resources and requirements for each resources including the following: 

 

Short Term Family Housing through the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC)  

Address:  920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington DC  

Hours:  Monday—Thursday from 8:30 am - 4 pm and Friday, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm. 

 If you are a family with children under 18 and need emergency shelter, please call the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093. The Shelter Hotline is available 24 hours a day. 

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WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING WITH YOU TO Virginia Williams TO ACCESS FAMILY EMERGENCY SHELTER: 

Identification 

• Birth Certificates for each family member 

• Proof of Income 

• Proof that you live in DC  

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Homeless and Homeless Prevention 

• Emergency Rental Assistance 

• Housing Resources 

• Homeless Diversion Services 

• Emergency Family Housing 

• Community-Based Resources 
   

Public Benefits 

• TANF 

• Food Stamps 

• Medicaid 

• Childcare Subsidy for families working on their TANF goals. 

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1. Regardless of your immigration status, it is very important to contact a doctor if you have symptoms of coronavirus. Immigrants who get treatment for coronavirus will NOT have it counted against them as part of the public charge rule. 

2. U.S. Government Payment (CARES Act): You need a social security number. Information about your payment and confirm how you want to receive the money (direct deposit or paper check): “Get My Payment” 
   More information: IRS website.

3. If you cannot pay rent and are worried about eviction, you may qualify for emergency rental assistance.  More information here or call your Student Services Coordinator for help.