New Resources for Laid Off Members
Updated December 20, 2021:
While tourism has picked up and our industries have started to make a comeback, the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. Never before have so many hotels and casinos been closed and so many of our Union’s members laid off, for so long.
The months ahead will undoubtedly be difficult for many of our members. You can count on your Union to do absolutely everything in its power to assist you until you are recalled to your Union job. Take a look at some of the resources that are available to you below.
INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES FOR FINDING TEMPORARY WORK
Many of our laid off members may need to look for temporary work outside the Union. There is a new page on our website to help give you useful information about how to try and find that type of work. In order to access this page you must create an account on our website https://hotelworkers.org/hire.
ENROLL IN UPCOMING JOB TRAINING AND ENGLISH CLASSES
Starting this September, our Union will be holding free English as a Second Language and Computer Skills courses online and in-person.
Sign up here: https://hotelworkers.org/artic...
CONTINUE TO ACCESS PRE-PAID LEGAL BENEFITS
Normally, members lose access to Pre-Paid Legal 90 days after being laid off. However at the request of HTC President Rich Maroko in August 2020, the Fund’s trustees approved a temporary change giving members who were laid off during this crisis continued access to Pre-Paid Legal benefits. If you need assistance with issues including bankruptcy, debt collection, landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosure, purchasing a home, wills, divorce, child support, or immigration, you can call Pre-Paid Legal at (212) 586-6400, ext. 4258, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
FACING EVICTION OR FORECLOSURE? APPLY FOR A $1,000 GRANT FROM THE UNION
Members who are facing eviction or foreclosure, can now apply for a $1,000 grant from our Union’s Hotel Employees Lend a Hand Program (“H.E.L.P.”) With emergency housing protections coming to an end, the Union has put aside limited funds from our treasury to assist members who are facing dire housing emergencies. As you know, the Union has not required laid off members to pay dues during this crisis and, as a result, the pandemic has placed great strain on our emergency reserves. Therefore, emergency funds are very limited. We ask that you please do not apply unless you are facing an extreme emergency.
You can apply online at hotelworkers.org/help or in-person, Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 709 8th Avenue on the 2nd Floor. You must include a copy of your final notice of eviction, eviction warrant, or notice of foreclosure as well as the information for your landlord/creditor to submit your application. Completed applications will be approved on a first-come, first-serve basis. If approved, a one-time $1,000 payment will be paid directly to your landlord/creditor. We will continue to help HTC-represented workers who find themselves in extreme emergencies until the funds run out. If you have questions about this program, please call (212) 245-8100 and ask to speak to Communications Assistant Yasmine Abi-Hanna, extension 2298.
Outside Resources
DIRECT CASH RELIEF FOR UNDOCUMENTED NEW YORKERS
New York State is offering one-time payments of up to $15,600 to undocumented immigrants who lost work during the pandemic and were unable to collect unemployment or federal stimulus money. As part of the 2021-2022 New York State budget, the state created the “Excluded Workers Fund” and set aside a total of $2.1 billion to provide direct cash payments to the hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers in the state.
The New York State Department of Labor will be responsible for handling applications and administering payments from the “Excluded Workers Fund”. To receive up to $15,600, you must verify your identity, residency, ineligibility for federal unemployment, and loss of income. Additionally, applicants must prove they meet the state’s definition of an excluded worker and that they did not earn more than $26,800 in the last year. If an applicant cannot provide all the documentation required to qualify for the $15,600 benefit, they may still qualify for a smaller $3,200 direct payment.
Applications are now open. Visit the Department of Labor’s website to apply: https://dol.ny.gov/EWF.
APPLY TO YOUR STATE’S EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The federal government set aside over $21 billion for state and local governments to help Americans stay in their homes as part of the American Rescue Plan passed this March. Each state is administering the funds directly. See below for how to apply in your state.
New York: Applications for NY State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program closed on January 20th, 2023. To be notified of future opportunities for rental assistance complete the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program- Notify Me Form.
New Jersey: Visit https://njdca.onlinepha.com/ to apply. If you need assistance, call 609-490-4550.
Pennsylvania: Visit https://www.dhs.pa.gov/ERAP/Pages/ERAP.aspx to apply online or print out a paper application form.
Connecticut: Visit https://portal.ct.gov/DOH/DOH/Programs/UniteCT to apply. If you need assistance, call 1-844-864-8328.
LOCATE A FOOD PANTRY NEAR YOU
Visit foodfinder.us to find a local food pantry. Type in your zip code and click the red search button to be shown a map of food pantries near you. If you need assistance, please call (212) 245-8100 and ask to speak to Yasmine Abi-Hanna in the Communications Department, who will help you locate a nearby food pantry.
Find additional state and local resources on hotelworkers.org/covid19/crisis-assistance-programs
