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In case you missed it, Governor Kate Brown recently announced a two week freeze to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19. We would like to also take this opportunity to remind you that the majority of ODHS business does not need to be conducted in person. As you or the people you serve encounter situations where you need to interact with us, we encourage you to contact us via phone or online first. Contact information for all of our offices can be found on our website. Thank you for helping us prevent the spread of COVID-19!
This has been an exceptionally hard year for Oregonians. While many in our state have been adversely impacted by the pandemic and wildfires, it’s been particularly hard on those who were already struggling to get by. As human services partners and providers, we are asking for your assistance in spreading the word about the federal government’s Economic Impact Payment (EIP) – or “stimulus check” - to the thousands of Oregonians who have not yet taken advantage of it.
Some facts about EIP:
- Individuals can receive up to $1,200, and married couples can get up to $2,400 for what they need most. People with qualifying children under 17 at the end of 2019 can get an additional $500 for each qualifying child.
- Oregonians must act by Nov. 21, 2020 in order to receive the payment this year.
- Those who get assistance through programs like Medicaid, SNAP or TANF are likely eligible, even if they didn’t file federal taxes in 2018 or 2019. Non-filers may sign up and complete the form in English or Spanish by visiting IRS.gov/EIP.
- The “Public Charge Rule” does not apply to EIP. Receiving it will not impact an individual’s immigration status.
- Local help is available for free or low cost through MFS CASHOregon, 503-966-7942. The 211 Info hotline also can assist by phone: call 211; email: help@211info.org; or text: send ZIP code to 898211.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has developed promotional resources, including social media cards, messaging and more to aid in getting the word out. We’ve customized some of these resources for an Oregon audience:
Please let us know if you have any questions or comments by sending us an email at Communications.DHS@dhsoha.state.or.us.
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Health and human services needs are varied during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it can be confusing to navigate multiple sites to find the right resources. That’s why the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) COVID-19 Response and Recovery Unit (CRRU) collaborated to create a new Oregon Health and Human Services COVID-19 Resources web page.
The comprehensive website is filled with available resources for community organizations seeking support for community members, clients or other stakeholders from ODHS, OHA, Oregon Employment Department, the Governor’s Office and other sites. The resource list includes both community-specific resources. such as aging and people with disabilities and migrant/seasonal farm workers, and need-specific resources, like housing and food assistance. This site will be updated monthly. We are also working on a Spanish-specific version of the site that links to Spanish-language resources.
We all need to step up to help families during these stressful times. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and civil unrest, the ODHS Child Welfare program partnered with several Portland Metro-area school districts to highlight the critical need to continue engaging children and families - even while physically distancing. This Guidance for Helpers in a Virtual Environment is for all mandatory reporters, including educators and mental health providers, who are virtually building relationships with children and families. Please share with your networks so that everyone can help keep kids safe.
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Equity is foundational to our role as a human services agency and we are committed to integrating equity into all we do. We’ll know we have achieved equity when all who live in Oregon, regardless of identity or place, can achieve well-being. We are excited to announce the adoption of the Oregon Department of Human Services Equity North Star to guide us toward our vision of an agency free of racism, discrimination and bias.
The Equity North Star has four points that explain the agency’s goals related to equity, inclusion and racial justice. The purpose of the Equity North Star is to provide clear direction for aligning our efforts. It is a tool for getting us in the same boat, so to speak, and for putting our oars in the water and paddling in synch, in the same direction, moving toward the Equity North Star.
Dion Jordon, the director of the Department’s Office of Equity and Multicultural Services (OEMS), joined Director Fariborz Pakseresht for a podcast on the Equity North Star. We hope you will listen to the 14-minute podcast or read the transcript to learn more.
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The Oregon Health Authority has provided two funding opportunities to community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations and tribal governments to address the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Oregon’s tribal communities and communities of color. Funds must be used by Dec. 30, 2020.
COVID-19 has highlighted what was already true: while all Oregonians are weathering the same storm, we’re not all faring the same. Black, brown, and Indigenous communities have not received the resources needed to be healthy. So, with this reality, it is no surprise that these communities have been hit the hardest by COVID-19—and not just by the virus itself, but also by economic hardship.
The Oregon Cares Fund, a grant program designed to specifically help Black people, their families, and Black-led organizations and businesses, must award all grants by Dec. 30, 2020. ODHS is aligned with these efforts and is committed to supporting outreach for this opportunity.
You can find the application and similar information on how you, Black families, or Black businesses can apply for the funds, by visiting The Oregon Cares Fund website.
The Oregon Department of Human Services is focused on providing survivors with the full benefit of available federal assistance. Please share this message from FEMA with people in your networks who may have been impacted by recent disasters:
If you have been impacted by the Oregon wildfires that began on Sept. 7 and have not already applied for FEMA assistance, do so now! The deadline is November 16. Assistance from FEMA may help you and members of your household affected by a disaster take care of necessary expenses and serious needs that cannot be met through insurance or other forms of assistance.
- Registration is easy online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA app, or by calling 800-621-3362. Additional options are listed below.
Homeowners and renters who have registered for FEMA disaster assistance for help after wildfires should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track. Survivors should let FEMA know as soon as possible of any changes to their contact or banking information. FEMA disaster assistance checks cannot be forwarded. If you cannot access your home address, you can request the postal service to hold your mail.
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If you have received Rental Assistance from FEMA to cover short term housing expenses or to rent temporary housing while disaster-caused repairs are made to your primary residence, or while transitioning to permanent housing, you may be eligible for additional assistance. This assistance is dependent on your plan to get into permanent housing and your ability to demonstrate that previous expenditures were related to temporary housing needs.
- Survivors who registered FEMA may update contact information online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA app or by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY: 800-462-7585). Additional options are listed below.
If you received a letter from FEMA that says you’re ineligible, that’s not the last word. A quick fix, like providing more information, may change your status. FEMA can reconsider your application in some cases if you submit insurance documents, prove occupancy and/or ownership or provide lost documents.
You have the right to file an appeal if you disagree with FEMA’s decision. If you feel the amount or type of assistance is incorrect, submit a signed, written explanation outlining why you believe FEMA’s decision is incorrect and copies of any documents supporting your appeal, including proof of your disaster losses.
Use any of these ways to contact FEMA:
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
- Download the FEMA app
- Call 800-621-3362 or (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available 7 a.m. t 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to make contact. Be aware that phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.
 Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Department of Human Services programs and services. Some examples of the free help we can provide are: sign language and spoken language interpreters, written materials in other languages, Braille, large print, audio and other formats. If you need help or have questions, please contact us at ADA.dhs@dhsoha.state.or.us.
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