Coronavirus (Covid019) has been declared a national emergency. Due to an abundance of caution concerning COVID-19 and everyone’s personal health and safety, Tacoma Community House will temporarily close to the public on Monday, March 16th until further notice and/or by appointment only.
What you can do:
- Don’t panic
- Be kind to others. Many people from other countries, like our clients, are being blamed for the spread of the virus
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, often
- Don’t touch your face
- Sneeze into your arm, or, if using a tissue, throw it away, and wash your hands
- Clean surfaces and door handles with disinfectants
- If you are sick, stay or go home (check with your supervisor).
- Avoid spreading misinformation
Serving the Public and our Clients
- Distribute health department materials on COVID-19 and the TCH one page flyer (below) to all clients in person or via email. Copies are also at the front desk.
- If clients are sick, kindly ask them to go home and to return when they are well
- Give them assurances that we are following health department protocols in our delivery of services
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Stay informed. Follow and share trusted sources of accurate public health information.
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English
On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is readying offices to re-open in compliance with local and state orders, on or after June 4. Employees in these offices are continuing to perform mission-essential services that do not require face-to-face contact with the public while the offices are temporarily closed. During this time, individuals may still submit applications and petitions to USCIS. Online filing remains the most convenient and interactive way to submit forms, check the status of your case, and receive notices.
Field Office and ASC Appointments, Naturalization Ceremonies, InfoPass
USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by the extended temporary closure. When USCIS again resumes normal operations, USCIS will automatically reschedule ASC appointments due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail. Those who had InfoPass or other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public again.
Asylum Office Interviews
USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and automatically reschedule asylum interviews. When the interview is rescheduled, asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and location of the interview.
Please check to see if the respective office has been reopened before calling the USCIS Contact Center.
In-Person Public Engagements
Additionally, USCIS is postponing all in-person public engagement and outreach events for the duration of the temporary office closure. Please contact public.engagement@uscis.dhs.gov if you have an immediate engagement question during this time.
For More Information
USCIS will provide further updates as the situation develops and will continue to follow CDC guidance in response to this situation. Please visit uscis.gov/coronavirus for updates.
Education and precautions are the strongest tools against infection. Get the latest facts by visiting the CDC’s COVID-19 website. Continue to practice good health habits, refrain from handshakes or hugs as greetings, and clean hands and surfaces appropriately.
Public Engagement Division
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Español
El 18 de marzo, el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos suspendió temporalmente los servicios en persona en sus oficinas locales, oficinas de asilo y centros de asistencia en Solicitudes (ASC, por sus siglas en inglés), para ayudar a frenar la propagación del coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS se prepara para reabrir las oficinas según las órdenes locales y estatales, en o luego el 4 de junio. Los empleados en estas oficinas continuarán realizando servicios esenciales para la misión que no requieren contacto en persona con el público mientras las oficinas permanecen cerradas temporalmente. Mientras tanto, las personas pueden presentar solicitudes y peticiones a USCIS. La presentación en línea sigue siendo la manera más conveniente e interactiva de enviar formularios, verificar el estatus de su caso, y recibir notificaciones.
Citas en las Oficinas Locales y ASC, Ceremonias de Naturalización e InfoPass
Las oficinas locales de USCIS enviarán notificaciones a los solicitantes y peticionarios con citas y ceremonias de naturalización programadas que han sido afectadas por la extensión del cierre temporal. Cuando USCIS reanude las operaciones normales, USCIS reprogramará automáticamente las citas de ASC afectadas debido al cierre temporal de la oficina. Las personas recibirán una nueva notificación de cita por correo postal. Aquellos que tenían una cita InfoPass u otro tipo de cita deben reprogramarla a través del Centro de Contacto de UCIS cuando las oficinas locales abran nuevamente al público.
Entrevista en las Oficinas de Asilo
Las oficinas de asilo de USCIS enviarán notificaciones de cancelación de entrevistas y reprogramarán entrevistas de asilo automáticamente. Cuando la entrevista sea reprogramada, los solicitantes de asilo recibirán una nueva notificación de entrevista con una nueva hora, fecha, y lugar de la entrevista.
Por favor, verifique si la oficina respectiva está abierta nuevamente antes de comunicarse con el Centro de Contacto de USCIS.
Enlace Público en Persona
Además, USCIS pospuso todos los eventos de enlace público y compromisos con la comunidad en persona durante el cierre temporal de oficinas. Por favor, comuníquese con public.engagement@uscis.dhs.gov si tiene una pregunta urgente durante este tiempo.
Para más información
USCIS proporcionará más actualizaciones a medida que se desarrolle la situación y continuará el cumplimiento de las guías de los CDC en respuesta a esta situación. Por favor visite, uscis.gov/coronavirus para actualizaciones.
La educación y tomar las precauciones necesarias son las herramientas más fuertes contra el virus. Obtenga los datos más recientes a través del sitio web COVID-19 de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC, por sus siglas en inglés). Continúe la práctica de buenos hábitos de salud, evite saludar con apretones de manos y abrazos, y lávese las manos y limpie las superficies apropiadamente.
División de Enlace Público
Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos
The IRS has been issuing Economic Impact Payments to every eligible American:
- Eligible individuals with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 will automatically receive the full $1,200 payment.
- Eligible married couples filing a joint return with adjusted gross income up to $150,000 will automatically receive the full $2,400 payment.
- Parents also get $500 for each eligible child under 17.
To find out more please visit www.irs.gov/coronavirus.
El IRS pronto emitirá pagos de impacto económico a todos los estadounidenses elegibles:
- Las personas elegibles con ingresos brutos ajustados de hasta $75,000 para los contribuyentes solteros, son elegibles para $1,200.
- Las personas elegibles con ingresos brutos ajustados de hasta $150,000 para los contribuyentes casados que presentan una declaración conjunta, son elegibles para $2,400.
- Además, son elegibles para recibir $500 adicionales por hijo calificado.
Para mas información, por favor visita www.irs.gov/coronavirus.
FAQ –
How will I receive this money?
The automatic payment will go to the same place your tax returns do. If you’ve set up an automatic deposit to receive tax returns, this payment will use that information. Otherwise, a paper check will be mailed to the most recent address on record.
If you would like to set up automatic deposits, please fill out and send in form I-8888: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8888.pdf.
If you don’t have a savings or checking account and would like to investigate some options, please email info@soundoutreach.org. or visit www.soundoutreach.org to check out local options.
“For security reasons, the IRS plans to mail a letter about the economic impact payment to the taxpayer’s last known address within 15 days after the payment is paid. The letter will provide information on how the payment was made and how to report any failure to receive the payment. If a taxpayer is unsure they’re receiving a legitimate letter, the IRS urges taxpayers to visit IRS.gov first to protect against scam artists.”
– www.IRS.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center
Do I Need to Do Anything?
Have you filed either 2018 or 2019 taxes?
- Yes -> you’re good to go. The IRS will use the information in the most recent one to calculate the payment. If you’ve only filed 2018 taxes, the tax deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020
- I don’t usually file: (check out https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/do-i-need-to-file-a-tax-return
to see if you will need to file)
- I receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits -> you’re good to go. The IRS will use information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate Economic Impact Payments.
- I did not file a 2018 or
2019 federal income tax return because my
gross income was under $12,200 / $24,400 for married couples (this includes
people who had no income) or other reason -> There’s a new tool available. https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here The IRS has their site up for those who need
to give them their bank account information. Specifically for:
- Had gross income that did not exceed $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples) for 2019 and were not otherwise required to file a federal income tax return for 2019, and didn’t plan to
I have an ITIN, am I eligible to receive this payment?
Unfortunately no, to receive the stimulus payment every recipient must have a valid social security number – www.IRS.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center
- For families where one parent has a social security number and the other does not, the current understanding is the family member with the social security number may file as a head-of-household and receive the $1,200 for individuals plus $500 for eligible children. There is not clear guidance at this point on how to address that ambiguity.
Am I eligible to receive this payment if I made more than $75,000/$150,000 last year?
Yes, up to a point:
“For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$112,500/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000, $136,500 for head of household filers and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible and will not receive payments.”
– www.IRS.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center
Online Application: https://mytpu.formstack.com/forms/emergencyassistance
In response to The City of Tacoma’s COVID-19 State of Emergency, Tacoma’s Public Utility Board approved the creation of a new Emergency Assistance Program for low-income customers, funded for up to $1 million. The new program will support Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) customers whose incomes are within 200% of federal poverty guidelines, as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
If you know of someone that may qualify for emergency assistance that doesn’t have internet access, please call Customer Service at 253-502-8600 and representatives will help you fill out the application.
TPU’s lobby is currently closed and is encouraging customers to reduce their exposure to the virus as much as possible by handling as many transactions as possible using MyAccount, the automated phone system, and PayBox kiosks located throughout our service areas.
If customers need to speak to a person, they can call Customer Services at 253-502-8600.
In addition, customers who may need additional time to pay their bills due to challenges caused by the virus, can call and request extended arrangements.
More Info: https://www.mytpu.org/emergencyassistance/
Disaster Cash Assistance program available because of a disaster declared by the Governor. It is available to families or individuals including families or individuals with no children who face an emergency and do not have the money to meet their basic needs. This program is available only once within a twelve-month period.
More Information: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/emergency-assistance-programs/disaster-cash-assistance-program
In the middle of this pandemic, there is a lot of misinformation and fear being spread in regards to seeking medical assistance. If you feel sick, with symptoms of fever and dry cough, do not be afraid to seek medical assistance and call a doctor first.
For information in Spanish, here’s the CDC guide.
Here’s what you need to know about how COVID19 affects the new Public Charge Rule.
Although undocumented people are usually not eligible for health insurance, even through ACA, we can still receive health care through free/low-cost clinics that serve the uninsured.
Undocumented people are welcome and will not be turned away from free/low-cost clinics in Washington State.
- An example of a low-cost health clinic is Planned Parenthood.
- There are directories of free clinics across the country: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/
More information can be found at this link: https://unitedwedream.org/2020/03/healthcare-access-for-undocumented-folks-in-the-time-of-covid19/
Facts about novel coronavirus and how to prevent COVID-19
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department website is a great place to start: www.tpchd.org/coronavirus
King County Health Department: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus.aspx
