Report 3: Together Apart, Coronavirus & Appalachia
About this information: This coronavirus COVID-19 information comes from many sources. We are trying to collect the most relevant information for Central Appalachia. If you find an item that needs updating or correction, please send it to us. If you missed the earlier reports, we can send them by email. Due to the volume of information, we will prepare more than one part to this report.UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: As of April 2, over 10 million people have applied for unemployment checks. Regardless of whether your employer paid into unemployment insurance, if you lost your job due to the coronavirus you are likely eligible for coverage. APPLY NOW because state offices handling claims have faced a massive workload. Unemployment websites in the Central Appalachian states are listed below. APPLY NOW! Get yourself into the system now. See addresses below.Central Appalachia States: Virginia and Kentucky have lifted the waiting period for unemployment benefits. It is recommended that you apply online immediately. Here are the state unemployment offices:
- Kentucky https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1720
- Tennessee https://www.tn.gov/workforce/unemployment.html
- Virginia http://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed
- West Virginia https://workforcewv.org/unemployment/claimants
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: You can find out about unemployment payments through “Make It” provided by CNBC. The web site includes information on payment levels in all states. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/18/how-to-file-for-unemployment-due-to-coronavirus.html HELP TO RESTAURANT WORKERS AND RESTAURANTS: “A List of Relief Funds for Restaurants, Bars, and Food Service Workers” https://www.eater.com/2020/3/17/21182293/coronavirus-relief-funds-restaurants-food-service-workersMUSICIANS AND ENTERTAINERS: Musicares, COVIC-19 Relief Fund https://www.grammy.com/musicaresSBGWC-COVID 19 Southern Black Girls and Women Coalition. Support in the coronavirus crisis to organizations serving black girls and women in 12 southern states. APPLY NOW: http://www.southernblackgirls.org/grants/TENNESSEE EMERGENCY DAY CARE SERVICES: Department of Human Services asks that all emergency childcare facilities register with this office by calling 1-800-462-8261: Option 1. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/Guidance-FAQs-3.17.20.pdf
PAID SICK LEAVE AND NUTRITION BENEFITS INFORMATION: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/19/818322136/heres-what-is-in-the-families-first-coronavirus-aid-package-trump-approved
FARM SUPPORT: National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition has a page of farm and agricultural grants (some of which have already passed deadlines, but some are coming up). https://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/rfa-roundup-spring-2020-funding-opportunities/?emci=f56c01e1-2870-ea11-a94c-00155d03b1e8&emdi=8002ad1e-4570-ea11-a94c-00155d03b1e8&ceid=2010850&fbclid=IwAR1rZNjyrEA2Q0dKbbs0aUB4OvnkUoKgLsRXGk40hijtpK7C-_Lne79Heu0
FARMWORKERS ARE KEEPING OUR FOOD COMING BUT NOT GETTING HELP THEY NEED: FARMWORKERS ARE "ESSENTIAL" BUT EXCLUDED, AWAITING THE VIRUS By David Bacon The American Prospect and Capital & Main, 4/1/20 https://prospect.org/coronavirus/american-farmworkers-essential-but-unprotected/
OVERCROWDED PRISONS AND JAILSThis is a problem your governor could relieve right now and save lives.Overcrowding in jails and prisons can spread the virus. Virginia has taken some steps to reduce the risk: “Allowing sentence modifications that can reduce populations within the jails, as outlined in Va. Code § 19.2-303. Diverting offenders from being admitted into jail prior to trial, including the use of summonses by law enforcement in lieu of arrest pursuant to Va. Code § 19.2-74, and use of local pretrial programs as available and with consideration to local capacity. Considering ways to reduce low risk offenders that are being held without bail in jails. Utilizing alternative solutions to incarceration such as home electronic monitoring, pursuant to Va. Code § 53.1-131.2.”Part of the problem is courts are not open in many places.MONEY KEPT THEM IN, LOVE CAN GET THEM OUT: NOT ALL IN JAIL ARE CONVICTED FELONS: National Bail Out is a Black-led and Black-centered collective of abolitionist organizers, lawyers and activists building a community-based movement to support our folks and end systems of pretrial detention and ultimately mass incarceration. “We are people who have been impacted by cages — either by being in them ourselves or witnessing our families and loved ones be encaged. We are queer, trans, young, elder, and immigrant.” https://www.facebook.com/NationalBailOut/
Contact Walter@appalachiancommunityfund.org with corrections or updates.
