COVID-19 continues to negatively impact our entire region and we are working to help those affected in a variety of ways. See below for our compilation of helpful resources. If you need other forms of assistance, please call 2-1-1 or 570-517-3954 to speak with an Information and Referral Call Specialist.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

If you are at risk of becoming homeless or are looking for other assistance, please call 2-1-1 or 570-517-3954 to speak with an information and referral specialist.

Resources for Tenants

The new Rental and Utility Assistance Program put in place by the state of Pennsylvania is not operating yet. Please continue to check this page for updates.

An eviction moratorium is in place until June 30, 2021. This moratorium prevents covered individuals from being removed from their home for non-payment of rent. You must meet certain requirements and provide information to your landlord to be protected by this eviction moratorium. (CDC extends Eviction Moratorium until June 30, 2021)

More information is available here about the National Eviction Moratorium.

A sample declaration form can be completed and provided to your landlord. Be sure to keep proof that you provided this to your landlord (email with read receipt, photo of the letter in drop box, etc.). You can also visit this website to create your own Eviction Moratorium letter:  https://www.covid19evictionforms.com/create-letter

Resources for Landlords

The new Rental and Utility Assistance Program put in place by the state of Pennsylvania is not operating yet. Please continue to check this page for updates.

Pocono Mountains United Way offers an Eviction Mediation Program in which landlords and tenants work together with a mediator to reach an agreement with the goal of avoiding a costly eviction. The program is free, voluntary and confidential. Mediations are limited to tenants with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. To schedule a mediation or for more information, please contact our Eviction Mediation Manager at 570-261-8023 or email Mediation@PoconoUnitedWay.org.

This Landlord Toolkit for responding to COVID-19 Effects on Tenants includes sample letters, modified rent and payment plan agreements, and other resources for both landlords and tenants.

Resources for Homeowners

The Monroe County Emergency Mortgage Assistance Grant Program can provide individuals with a minimum of 3 months mortgage assistance with maximum monthly amounts of $1,000. The program is for residents in Monroe County, East Stroudsburg Borough, and Stroudsburg Borough that have a current annual household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Residents must be economically impacted due to COVID-19 and have a housing unit located in Monroe County. For more information, please contact the Redevelopment Authority at 570-421-4300. Deadline to apply is February 26, 2021.

SNAP & OTHER BENEFITS

Do you qualify for benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Health Care Coverage, Cash Assistance, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or more?

Find out if you qualify here: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/Screening/DoIQualify#/SelectBenefits

Apply online using the following link or call the Monroe County Assistance Office at 1-877-905-1495 or 570-424-3030.
https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/Public/CMPHome

Temporary Increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits:
https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/SNAP-Temporary-Increase.aspx

More SNAP on your EBT Card: What you need to know:
https://clsphila.org/coronavirus/snap-supplement-coronavirus/

UTILITIES

A utility moratorium is in place until March 31, 2021 for protected customers that are at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant assists low-income families pay their heating bills. LIHEAP offers cash grants and crisis grants. Cash grants help families pay their heating bills and the payment is sent directly to the utility company and deducted from their current balance. Crisis grants are for emergency situations where individuals are in jeopardy of losing their heat. If you have a heating emergency, please contact the Monroe County Assistance Office.

Toll Free: 1-877-905-1495

Phone: 570-424-3030

LIHEAP: 570-424-3517

You can apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us or call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095 to request an application. Applications are due April 9, 2021.

If you are having difficulty making payments to your utility provider:

• Pay what you can to establish good faith payment efforts.
• Contact utility company, explain financial situation and provide income information.
• Apply for all available assistance programs. Most companies have different forms of Customer Assistance Programs (CAP).
• Request an affordable payment arrangement.

STIMULUS CHECKS

SCAM ALERT: Do not respond to any email, letter, or phone call asking for your personal information – the IRS WILL NOT email or call, nor will ever ask for personal data.

IRS webpage on Economic Impact (Stimulus) Payments:
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

If you didn't get the full Economic Impact Payment, you may be eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit using Free File: If you didn't get any payments or got less than the full amounts, you may qualify for the credit, even if you don't normally file taxes. Learn more about the Recovery Rebate Credit here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit

Get My Payment will confirm if the IRS sent your payment(s) and how the IRS sent your payment: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

Get My Payment FAQs: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment-frequently-asked-questions

CHILDCARE

Search for child-care and other early learning programs near you: findchildcare.pa.gov

Fee-based School Care Programs:

• The Growing Place Child Care Centers
  • Website: https://www.thegrowingplacecenters.org/
  • Phone: 570-992-6206
• Pocono Services for Families and Children
  • Website: https://psfc.org/
  • Phone - East Stroudsburg Location: (570) 421-2711 or (570) 421-2676
  • Phone - Tobyhanna Location: (570) 894-3272
• Big Wheel
  • Website: https://www.bigwheelskating.com/all_day_program.html
  • Phone: 570-424-5499
• Pocono Crimson Dragon
  • Website: https://www.got-karate.com/
  • Phone: 570-839-2930
• Pocono YMCA
  • Website: http://www.poconoymca.org/
  • Phone: 570-421-2525
• Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church
  • Website: http://www.stroudsburgwesleyan.org/
  • Phone: 570-421-0750
• Quiet Valley Farm
  • Website: https://quietvalley.org/
  • Phone: 570-992-6161

UNEMPLOYMENT

How to File for regular Unemployment Benefits:
https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/file/Pages/Filing%20Instructions.aspx

Self-employed individuals Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA):
https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/file/Pages/Filing-for-PUA.aspx

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance FAQ: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/CARES-Act/Pages/PUA-FAQs.aspx

For assistance with unemployment issues, please call CareerLink at 570-620-2850

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Each school district has a list of educational resources for children. Please view your school district's website as well as the resources below.

Resources for parents and children: https://www.pbs.org/parents

Scholastic Learn at Home: https://learnathome.scholastic.com/thanks.html

Twelve famous museums offering FREE virtual tours: https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours