COVID-19 Benefits FAQs

1. Social Distancing Measures

2. If you cannot work

3. If your child's school is closed

4. If you need health insurance

5. If you need food assistance

The coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic is affecting us all, and we understand how stressful this time can be for our clients, neighbors and communities. Foster Garvey has assembled a COVID-19 taskforce to address the particular needs of our pro bono clients and others in our community who may need additional support during this time.

Below are some “Frequently Asked Questions” addressing employment, child care, healthcare and food assistance, along with links to resources that provide basic guidance to key benefits that are available to those affected by coronavirus closures in Washington State. We will continue to update this page as the situation changes.

1. Social Distancing Measures

    • Schools closed (through April 24)
    • No gatherings of 50 or more people (through March 31)
    • Restaurants and bars closed except for takeout/delivery (through March 31)
    • Theaters, gyms, clubs and similar venues closed (through March 31)

2. If you cannot work

If you must miss work because:

    • You or your family are sick, you may qualify for:
      • Paid sick leave through your employer
        • Full wage replacement, no waiting period
      • Paid family & medical leave through Washington State
        • Partial wage replacement, one-week waiting period
        • Requires application and medical certification that you are sick and cannot work
      • Unemployment benefits
        • If you worked over 680 hours from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 31, 2019 (full or part time)
        • Partial wage replacement for up to 4 weeks, with a potential for a 4-week extension (for a total of 8 weeks)
        • If you are severely ill and cannot work, you will qualify for unemployment benefits once you recover and are healthy enough that you could go back to work.
    • Schools are closed, you may qualify for:
      • Paid sick leave through your employer
        • Full wage replacement, no waiting period
      • You do not qualify for paid family & medical leave through Washington State, but you may be eligible for relief under future federal law.
    • Your employer cut your hours or shut down, you may qualify for:
      • Unemployment benefits
        • If you worked over 680 hours from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 31, 2019 (full or part time)
        • Partial wage replacement for up to 4 weeks, with a potential for a 4-week extension (for a total of 8 weeks)
    • You have underlying health conditions and are advised to self-quarantine, you may qualify for:
      • Paid sick leave through your employer, depending on your case
        • Full wage replacement, no waiting period
      • Paid family & medical leave through Washington State, depending on your case
        • Partial wage replacement, no waiting period
        • Requires application and medical certification that you are sick and cannot work
      • Unemployment benefits
        • If you worked over 680 hours from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 31, 2019 (full or part time)
        • Partial wage replacement for up to 4 weeks, with a potential for a 4-week extension (for a total of 8 weeks)
    • You are practicing social distancing absent additional underlying factors, you do not qualify for Washington State employment or leave benefits.
    • If your reason for missing work was not listed above, click here for additional information.

3. If your child’s school is closed

4. If you need health insurance

    • If you do not currently have health insurance you can still apply for insurance coverage by April 8, 2020 (click here to apply).
    • Individuals and families who are low-income may be eligible for Apple Health (or Medicaid) and can enroll at any time.
      • Apple Health is available to all children 18 years old and under, regardless of immigration status.
      • Apple Health is available to U.S. citizens 19 years and older (click here to see if you qualify).
      • Undocumented individuals may still be eligible for certain health benefits.
        • Asylum seekers, certain survivors of domestic violence or trafficking, and “Special Immigrant Juveniles” are just some categories of undocumented immigrants who may be eligible (click here to learn more).

5. If you need food assistance

  • Northwest Harvest SODO Community Market is offering free pre-baged food at the door to anyone who needs it (click here to learn more)
  • You may be eligible for increased benefits and food assistance under future federal law

6. If you need help paying for internet or utilities

Haga clic aquí para ver los beneficios disponibles sobre el coronavirus en español.