student relief resources

child care
financial resources

emergency economic aid 

as part of the cares act, the federal government will distribute $1,200 to every adult with an income less than $75,000, with those earning up to $99,000 receiving smaller, prorated amount.  families are also entitled to $500 per child. there are a number of online calculators that help figure what you would receive, including this one created by abc news. it is expected that the first payments will be made in april and will be distributed electronically to the account linked to your most recent tax filing. for grand view students who are claimed as a dependent on their parents’ tax returns, they will not receive a rebate. those students filing their own taxes, and meeting the income qualifications, should expect a payment. 

if you do not file taxes, your payment will be delayed.  direct deposits have already been made to many income tax filers who had a direct deposit account on file with the irs.  if you do not file taxes, but meet the qualifications for the program, you can follow the instructions on this website to submit account information to get your check direct deposited.  //www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here?fbclid=iwar1z_h63plfg4bk9gxfnrkev1qdt11r9hqjrsmn-_r-sbs10asecfsjcxre

unemployment:

  • unemployment benefits finder: //www.careeronestop.org/localhelp/unemploymentbenefits/find-unemployment-benefits.aspx?newsearch=true
  • eligibility for unemployment has expanded to include loss of hours or work due to reasons associated with covid-19
  • iowans who are eligible for state unemployment may also be eligible for $600 per week from the federal cares act
  • applications are completed online and eligibility information is mailed via us postal service
  • if approved, payment is made from the date of application, so it is important workers apply as soon as they become aware their situation may reflect the expanded eligibility criteria. if a worker is not eligible, there are no repercussions for applying. however, if a worker is eligible, waiting to apply only delays payment.
COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits
food

there are a number of efforts to make sure that iowans do not go hungry throughout this crisis.  in des moines, the school district is feeding its students and their families through grab and go sites all around the district.   many other school districts are doing the same thing and would be able to support gvu students with younger siblings or children in their household. 

dmarc operates a number of food pantries in the greater des moines area.  they have changed their service delivery model in the wake of the pandemic.  if you are talking to a student in the des moines area, you should direct them to dmarc to find a pantry near them.  //www.dmarcunited.org/2020/03/covid-19/  please note that the dmarc food pantry at grand view is not operating for the time being.

additional food resources:

community/region specific
immigrants, dreamers

according to dream iowa, daca recipients, h1b visa holders, green card holders, and certain work visa holders will receive payments through the stimulus program created in the cares act.  funding should be available to anyone with a valid social security number. 

if a student did not receive stimulus funding and will not be allowed to receive funding from the cares act that grand view will demonstrate, see gv cares as a viable source of relief.

immigrants rising org – tangible support for undocumented communities during covid-19  //docs.google.com/document/d/1pxluuh0-hwhxftuxuei52q1qwudegn8_i1l4ulifwzk/preview

for direct assistance to immigrants and children of immigrants, see this local effort launched in central iowa: a $75,000 investment has been made from the disaster recovery fund to support the central iowa immigrant community support fund. the central iowa immigrant community support fund is an initiative of afsc iowa, al exito and proteus that supports the most marginalized central iowans who have needs that fall outside of government guidelines or who do not qualify for government assistance resources during this global pandemic. the funds will assist the most vulnerable community members in acquiring their most basic needs (rent, utilities, transportation, medicine, etc.) for their families during the covid-19 pandemic.

for scholarship assistance (from dream iowa):

the dream iowa scholarship deadline is may 1, 2020. please consider applying for this scholarship, or share this link with eligible students. the application process is very brief, so students still have time! the scholarship was established in 2018 to provide monetary support for immigrant students pursuing higher education. the principal requirements for the dream iowa scholarship are that the student be a high school senior or enrolled in college, demonstrate the spirit to overcome adversity and commitment to our immigrant community. the scholarship is awarded in the fall semester.
internet

per the des moines public schools page: mediacom‘s connect2compete low-cost internet program has increased its speed to 25 megabits per second (mbps). qualifying families who subscribe before may 15, 2020 will receive 60 days of complimentary mediacom internet access, with a cost of $9.95/month thereafter. there is no deposit, no contract, no installation fees, no equipment rental fees, and the wi-fi modem will be given via no-cost lease. apply by calling 855-904-2225 or online: //mediacomc2c.com/apply.aspx

qualifications:

  • at least one student in grades k-12 living at home
  • at least one student qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunch
  • family is not a current mediacom internet customer and have not subscribed to their internet services in the past 90 days
  • family does not have an outstanding mediacom bill or unreturned mediacom equipment

additional resources:
mental health resources
miscellaneous resources
paid sick leave

the second stimulus bill created an emergency sick leave program that provides 10 days of paid leave for individuals employed at businesses with fewer than 500 employees or employed by state and local government.  the sick leave program is created to support individuals who are being treated for covid-19, seeking a diagnosis, or self-quarantining.  the paid sick leave benefit is available between now and the end of 2020.  employers will pay the initial sick leave and then be reimbursed by the government through a refundable tax credit.
physical health resources
rent & utilities

additional rent resources:
resources in languages other than english

consult the english language learner community section of this webpage to get access to information is a range of languages other than english.  //www.dmschools.org/familyresources/
state of iowa resources
student loan information
support for small businesses

the cares act includes strong action to support american businesses and keep as many americans employed.  the most significant step was the paycheck protection loan program that is a $349 billion investment in loans to small and affected businesses and non-profits.  the loans are for those businesses to continue to make payroll and provide health insurance, among other uses and the portion of the loans used to cover payroll, mortgage, rent, and utilities will convert into grants if all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks.  for more information on the emergency assistance to small businesses and the economic injury disaster loans, a companion program to ppp for businesses and non-profits, please check the small business administration’s special coronavirus page.

a resource for iowa small businesses with between one and seven employees is the iowa small business relief fund.  the fund was created to cover business related expenses including, but not limited to rent, utilities, insurance, and technology.  learn more about the fund here: //www.empowermoney.org/smallbusinessrelief?fbclid=iwar1rruce_f9bdr7wm4r7r2r9l2abofrp_bbetb_wfcogfoahij70vhjar2a
tax filing
the federal tax filing deadline for individuals has been pushed back from april 15, 2020 to july 15, 2020.  filing deadlines for state taxes that previously were due between march 19, 2020 and july 31, 2020, have been pushed back to july 31, 2020.