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Like communities across our nation, we’ve been closely monitoring the unfolding of the situation around the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The City is working diligently in responding to the unique needs of our residents, business owners, and key partners and is coordinating closely with public health officials. Learn more about the City’s response at stpaul.gov/coronavirus.
 APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SAINT PAUL BRIDGE FUND
Applications are now open for the Saint Paul Bridge Fund, which will provide emergency relief for families and small businesses most impacted by COVID-19. Apply by April 19 at 5 p.m. at stpaul.gov/bridge-fund.
Grant Application Guidelines and Process
Saint Paul families and small businesses who qualify for grant funding can submit applications online beginning today through April 19, 2020 at 5 p.m.
- There is no cost to apply, and grants given to families and businesses will not need to be repaid. Small businesses may apply for $7,500 grants, and Saint Paul families with minor children may apply for $1,000 grants.
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Applications cannot be accepted in person or through the mail. Applicants without access to a computer (desktop or laptop), tablet, or smartphone can apply by phone at 651-266-6565, subject to submission of necessary documentation.
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All eligible applications will have an equal chance of receiving a grant. No preference will be given based on when an application was received during the open application period (April 8-April 19 at 5 p.m.).
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Only one application per family or small business is required.
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Duplicate applications will be removed and will not increase the chance of receiving a grant.
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All grant requests will be considered and reviewed.
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Eligible grants will then be placed into a lottery system to be distributed.
- Additional support for individuals who have questions, need additional assistance to apply by phone, do not have access to the internet, or need language interpretation is available via phone during business hours, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. by calling 651-266-6565.
Grants to residents are targeted to ensure families can remain in secure and stable housing. Eligible families include those who:
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Have incomes at or below 40% of area median income (or $40,000 annually for a family of four) before a COVID-19-related change in employment;
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Have at least one minor child under 18 present in the household; and
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Have experienced a significant loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility for Small Businesses
Eligible businesses are defined as independent, for profit, which are retail-oriented and rely upon customer purchases for revenues. In addition, they must have:
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A physical location within Saint Paul, in operation for at least the last three months;
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Gross annual revenues of $2 million or less; and
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Documentation that revenues have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.
The small business grants may be used for immediate business expenses including but not limited to rent or mortgage payments, employee health benefits, leave payroll and payroll, and payments to suppliers.
Additional resources
The Saint Paul Bridge Fund includes funds provided by The Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority and private donors including the Baird, Bush Foundation, Ecolab Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Securian Foundation, Minnesota United FC, Minnesota Wild, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, and the Xcel Energy Foundation.
CITY OF SAINT PAUL UPDATES
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NEW - Governor Walz's stay at home order has been extended through May 3 at 11:59 p.m. What does this mean for residents?
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You can go to the grocery store, pharmacy, and medical appointments; get take out, delivery or drive through from restaurants; walk your dog, ride your bike, or be in nature; and pick up essentials for neighbors or loved ones.
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You should not go to work unless providing an essential service; socialize or gather in groups; or visit loved ones in the hospital or nursing homes, except under limited circumstances.
- Find more information about critical sector worker exemptions here.
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NEW - Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is closing all playgrounds, sports courts – including tennis, basketball, and volleyball – and skate parks. We have seen an increase in demand for use of our recreational amenities and expect that trend to continue as we approach summer. We cannot ensure social distancing is maintained, so out of concern for public safety and in alignment with Governor Walz orders, we have made the decision to close these amenities.
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Parks, trails, open spaces, dog parks, and athletic fields remain open, with restrictions, including 6ft social distancing. No pickup games, contact sports, or organized teams are allowed.
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Learn more about our park restrictions and COVID-19 response at https://stpaul.gov/parks-covid19.
LANGUAGE RESOURCE LINE
The City of Saint Paul has a new phone line and email address to answer questions about the City’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Interpreters are available to answer questions in Hmong, Karen, Oromo, Somali, and Spanish. Learn more at stpaul.gov/coronavirus.
Phone Number: 651-266-6000
Email: LanguageResources@ci.stpaul.mn.us
PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION
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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. If you are not having any symptoms and are going out in public, wearing a cloth face covering will help you from spreading any infection. If you do wear a cloth face covering, the CDC notes it is important to wash it every day to get rid of any trapped viruses or bacteria.
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Here are some links to information about making a homemade mask from credible sources provided by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Multilingual Health Information
Community Recommendations
The Minnesota Department of Health has community recommendations involving employers, assisted living facilities, schools and health care settings and large and small community events and gatherings.
Family Assistance
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Families can apply for cash emergency and food (SNAP) assistance at http://applymn.dhs.mn.gov. Before applying, you can see if you are eligible for ApplyMN programs at http://mn.bridgetobenefits.org.
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School and Child Care Questions? Call 651-297-1304. This is a state hotline open for school and child care questions for Minnesota residents that is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday of the week.
Mental Health Resources
- University of Minnesota: Managing Fear and Anxiety for Healthcare Workers
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Ramsey County residents who are experiencing stress and mental health symptoms as a result of COVID-19 are encouraged to call the county’s Crisis Team for support and resources. The county’s two crisis lines continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Children’s Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7878.
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Adult Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7900.
SMALL BUSINESS & WORKFORCE
- Computers and internet access are near-essentials today, especially in a time of social distancing. Saint Paul Public Library has compiled some local resources that can help with home internet access and computer hardware.
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State Financial Assistance for Veterans. Starting today, the Minnesota Department of Veterans is accepting applications from Minnesota veterans who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. MDVA will award one-time financial relief grants in the amount of $1,000. Funding is available for both Disaster Relief Grants and Special Needs Grants.
- To apply for the Disaster Relief Grant: Contact your local County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) or MDVA Field Operations Representative at FO.MDVA@state.mn.us OR apply online at MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief.
- To apply for the Special Needs Grant: Contact your local County Veterans Service Officer or MDVA Field Operations Representative.
- To identify or contact your local CVSO, visit MACVSO.org. For more information, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief.
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Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses should be planning their requests to the new Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses (including self-employed) and non-profits can receive forgivable loans up to 250% of payroll to support employees and occupancy expenses. There are no collateral requirements, no fees, and no payments for 6 months. The loan is forgiven in eight weeks if the business can show it used the funds for eligible expenses. Contact your bank or a Small Business Administration-qualified lender.
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Economic Injury Disaster Loans – The Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loans applications are live. These loans are up to $2 million at 3.75% with favorable terms. What’s new is that the SBA streamlined its process and now offers now an up-front $10,000 grant against the loan.
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DEED Small Business Guide - Different programs make sense for different businesses, so the Minnesota Department of Employment ad Economic Development provided this summary guide to help small businesses quickly see which programs might be right for their situation.https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/?id=425890
HOUSING RESOURCES
HUMAN RIGHTS
- COVID-19 Information that impacts immigrant and refugee communities - Anyone who is sick during the COVID-19 crisis should seek medical care without fear, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay for health services. It is important that everyone in Saint Paul including non-citizen residents regardless of immigration status obtaining medical care should they become ill. Find more information related to COVID-19 that impact immigrant and refugee communities in Hmong, Karen, Oromo, Somali, and Spanish.
- City of Saint Paul Discrimination Helpline. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of COVID-19, contact the City of Saint Paul by calling 651-266-8966, email hrights@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or visit www.stpaul.gov/hreeo.
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State Discrimination Helpline. Amid rising reports of discrimination from the Asian American community, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today launched a Discrimination Helpline to reinforce the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The toll-free helpline, which is at 1-833-454-0148, will allow those who experience or witness bias and discrimination to report incidents to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
UPDATES FROM OUR PARTNERS
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FEMA has extended the current 30-day grace period for National Flood Insurance Premium (NFIP) payments. If a policy insuring a property has an expiration date of February 13, 2020 through June 15, 2020, property owners must pay their premium within 120 days of the expiration date to avoid a lapse in coverage. For more information visit: https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program.
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Around the Airport - HWY 5 road closure begins April 8. If you are traveling to or around the airport between now and this fall, please be aware the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is beginning a large construction project of Hwy 5. Beginning April 8, the eastbound lane of Hwy 5 will be closed from 494 to Davern Street in Saint Paul until July. For more information and detour maps, visit aroundtheairport.com.
RESOURCES
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FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: The purpose of this FEMA page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding COVID-19. Learn more about Coronavirus scams from the Federal Trade Commission. Tips for avoiding these scams:
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Hang up on robocalls.
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Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits.
- Don’t click on or respond to emails asking for personal information in order to receive an economic stimulus check from the government.
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
- Don’t click on or respond to emails that claim a positive COVID-19 test within your workplace.
- Don’t click on or respond to emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization.
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