Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Resources
Senator Vincent Hughes hosts a Telephone Town Hall to discuss the Coronavirus and PA’s primary
Senator Hughes hosts a Telephone Town Hall on COVID-19 and staying safe during the primary
Senator Vincent Hughes hosts a Telephone Town Hall to discuss the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Senator Vincent Hughes hosts a Telephone Town Hall to discuss the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Senator Vincent Hughes hosts a Telephone Town Hall to discuss the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Senator Vincent Hughes hosts a Telephone Town Hall to discuss the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in PA
Senator Hughes discusses evictions, foreclosures and consumer protection initiatives during coronavirus outbreak
Senator Hughes discusses evictions, foreclosures and consumer protection initiatives during coronavirus outbreak
Senator Vincent Hughes hosts a Telephone Town Hall to discuss the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in PA
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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The pandemic caused by coronavirus COVID-19 is having a major impact on the 7th Senatorial District. Montgomery County is the epicenter of the outbreak in Pennsylvania, and officials have recommended Philadelphia and its suburban counties shutdown all non-essential businesses and services.
Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website on coronavirus COVID-19 for the latest on the virus.
Updates from Senator Hughes
‘Protest is leading to policy’ says Sen. Hughes as legislature passes police reform bills
The Pennsylvania Senate has passed several police reform bills as a response to the tragic murder of George Floyd and subsequent movement to address systemic policing and racial justice issues. None of this would have been possible without the substantive action seen...
$175 million housing assistance program open for renters and homeowners
Sen. Hughes and the PA Senate Democrats fought to include program in COVID-19 reliefThe Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority is working with organizations across the commonwealth’s 67 counties to help ensure people hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic can get much-needed...
Sens. Hughes, Haywood join PHFA to announce upcoming financial assistance program for renters and homeowners hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic
PHILADELPHIA— July 1, 2020 — State Senators Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and Director Robin Wiessmann from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) announced a new program that will help renters and homeowners impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic, alongside Pennsylvania housing advocates.
Small business grants applications open at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 30
Applications for grants to aid small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic open at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 30. Eligible businesses will receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on where they fall in the program’s criteria. $100 million in...
Applications for new small business GRANTS open June 30
Small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be able to apply for grants to offset losses as a result of business closures. The application process for the grants is set to open Tuesday, June 30. Eligible businesses will receive grants ranging from...
Philadelphia lawmakers lay out path for a ‘Just Recovery’ in Pa.
‘Legislature must take steps to safeguard marginalized communities’
PHILADELPHIA, June 18, 2020 – Philadelphia lawmakers today held a virtual news conference to lay out the steps the Pennsylvania legislature must take to create a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the calls for racial justice demanded by Pennsylvanians across the state are acted on.
Grants for small business affected by COVID-19 coming soon
$200 million in grants will be available with $100 million dedicated for Historically Disadvantaged Businesses Alongside my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, I fought to get $225 million in aid for small businesses affected by the pandemic....
Senator Hughes issues statement on $225 million for small business assistance grants statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf announced $225 million for small business relief across Pennsylvania Monday: “The announcement of the Main Street and Historically...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Democratic PHEAA board members tout $30 million in CARES Act funding for PHEAA grants
HARRISBURG — June 5, 2020 — State Senators Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), John Blake (D-Lackawanna), and Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia touted the $30 million in funding the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus was...
State Senate Policy Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the African American Community
Harrisburg – June 4, 2020 – At the request of state Senators Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware, Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia), and Shariff Street (D-Philadelphia), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a...
Policy Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the African American Community
Turning protest into policy and progress: telephone town hall on our response to the murder of George Floyd
I am hurt. I am angry. I am heartbroken. George Floyd’s murder has shaken me the way it has shaken so much of this nation. Now is the time to focus that anger and turn it into action. Join me for a telephone town hall at 6:10 p.m. Thursday, June 4 to discuss how we...
PA’s primary election is finally here!
Here’s what you need to know for today’s election It’s Primary Election Day! After delays to Pennsylvania’s primary because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the polls will open in a few minutes at 7 a.m., and remain open until 8 p.m. For those of you who decided...
I am heartbroken: Senator Hughes responds to George Floyd’s death, destruction in West Philadelphia following weekend looting
I am heartbroken because powerful, moving protests across the nation had their messages sullied by opportunistic and malicious rioters that had nothing to do with advancing the movement. I am heartbroken by what I am seeing unfold in our community. Violence and...
Senator Hughes issues statement on $25.8 billion budget, $2.6 billion in aid
HARRISBURG – May 29, 2020 — Democratic Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement after the Pennsylvania Senate passed bills for an unprecedented $25.8 billion interim budget and allocated $2.6 billion in federal...
Vote by mail application deadline is today!
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Pennsylvania has an important deadline coming up soon for its June 2 primary and Senator Hughes wants to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to vote by mail in the upcoming election. It’s simple, safe and secure. Visit...
Tuesday is the deadline to sign up to vote by mail
Vote by mail applications must be received by election officials by 5 p.m. May 26 Pennsylvania has an important deadline coming up soon for its June 2 primary and Senator Hughes wants to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to vote by mail in the upcoming...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $550 Million Main Street Business Revitalization Grant Program
Harrisburg, PA − May 22, 2020 − Senators Jay Costa, Vince Hughes, John Blake, Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino today called for $550 million of funds allocated to Pennsylvania through the federal CARES act to be used for a program they are calling the Main Street Business...
Sen. Hughes, PA Senate Democrats pushing for millions in aid to small businesses
The PA CARES Plan aims to direct federal funding to those hit hardest by pandemic Many of our small businesses have been crushed by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, which is why Senator Hughes and the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus are pushing to...
5 days left to sign up to vote by mail
Fill out the application online today! Pennsylvania has an important deadline coming up soon for its June 2 primary and Senator Hughes wants to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to vote by mail in the upcoming election. It’s simple, safe and secure. Visit...
Join Sen. Hughes for a telephone town hall on the coronavirus and PA’s primary
Senator Hughes is set to return for his latest telephone town hall on the coronavirus and Pennsylvania’s primary election. He’s received a lot of questions about the new vote by mail provisions and is eager to get information to voters ahead of the primary. Join us at...
Sign up to vote by mail before the May 26 deadline!
Voting by mail is safe, secure and helps protect public healthWe cannot let democracy die during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, which is why Senator Hughes is sending the message that people must vote and should cast their ballots by mail in the June 2 primary....
Republican Reopening Scam Is the Worst Kind of Politics
In the last few weeks, Pennsylvania Republicans have ramped up the political theatre in a brazen attempt at politicizing the Wolf Administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. From staged political rallies organized by out-of-state, extreme right-wing...
Reminder: Today is the last day to register to vote before the June 2 primary
Today, May 18, is the last day to register to vote by mail before the June 2 primary. All new registrants must apply by 11:59 p.m. to be able to vote in the primary election. The process is simple and can be done at votespa.com. Every election is important and we...
Voting by mail is safe, secure and protects public health
Don’t miss the May 26 deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot Nearly 1.3 million Pennsylvanians have signed up to vote by mail and we need to increase that number across the commonwealth. Southeastern Pennsylvania remains in the “RED” phase and a stay-at-home...
PA suspends evictions, foreclosures through July 10
Sen. Hughes and PA Senate Dems pushing for additional protections for those impacted by pandemic Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro recently announced that Pennsylvania would suspend evictions and foreclosures through July 10, a move that...
Join Sen. Hughes for a telephone town hall on COVID-19 and staying safe during the June 2 primary
Join Senator Hughes for his latest telephone town hall on the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and how residents can stay safe by voting at home during the June 2 primary. RSVP for the telephone town hall at 7:20 p.m., Wednesday, May 23 here. To date 1.25 million...
PA offering Emergency Assistance Program for those affected by COVID-19
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) recently announced an Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) for qualifying families who are experiencing financial challenges because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Residents can get more information about...
City of Philadelphia launches COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The city of Philadelphia announced its COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program for those in need of housing assistance during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on Friday. The program is open to renters with a valid current lease who have lost income...
Do your part to protect public health, sign up to vote by mail today!
Watch the video above for an inspiring message on our duty to vote from former First Lady Michelle Obama. There is a lot at stake in every election, which is why Pennsylvania’s upcoming primary is no different – despite the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Senator...
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is accepting claims for self-employed workers
Self-employed workers who have lost work as a result of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic can now file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). The Pennsylvania Department of Labor says the PUA website is fully functional and able to take claims, including the...
TONIGHT: Join Senator Hughes for the latest coronavirus-related telephone town hall
Senator Hughes is committed to ensuring people have trusted information from trusted sources during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. He will return for his latest telephone town hall on the coronavirus, the June 2 primary & economic effects of the pandemic at...
Vote by mail: registered voters can vote by mail for any reason
Pennsylvania has new voting rules that allow registered voters to vote by mail for any reason. Senator Hughes is encouraging voters to sign up to vote by mail because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and the continued threat to public health. It is likely that...
Join Senator Hughes for the latest coronavirus-related telephone town hall
Senator Hughes is committed to ensuring people have trusted information from trusted sources during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. He will return for his latest telephone town hall on a coronavirus-related topic at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. Join the senator for...
2 weeks left to register to vote!
Help protect public health, vote by mail in the June 2 primary Senator Hughes is encouraging everyone to vote by mail in the June 2 primary to help protect public health during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, which is why he sending another reminder to...
Reopening PA will take collective effort, adherence to public health officials’ guidance
Parts of Pennsylvania are on the path to reopening following the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, but there is still more to do to help slow the spread of the deadly disease, especially in southeastern portion of the state. Data show Pennsylvanians are doing better...
How to get answers for your questions about voting by mail
As we get closer to Pennsylvania’s June 2 primary and deadlines to apply for a mail-in ballot and registration, Senator Hughes is encouraging everyone to vote by mail to help mitigate spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. Senator Hughes hosted a Telephone Town...
PA CARES Plan focuses on recovery for those hit hardest by COVID-19 pandemic
Every one of us has been impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, but certain communities across Pennsylvania have been devastated by the unprecedent public health crisis. To help with recovery, Pennsylvania is set to receive billions of dollars in federal...
Sens. Costa, Hughes unveil PA CARES, a plan to allocate federal CARES Act funds
HARRISBURG – APRIL 29, 2020 – State Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) unveiled the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus’ plan to allocate federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds Wednesday...
Join Sen. Hughes for a telephone town hall on the coronavirus and its impact on the June 2 primary
Pennsylvania’s primary is fast approaching, as are the deadlines to vote by mail. Senator Hughes and other public officials are recommending people vote by mail to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and to protect public health. Be sure to join him tomorrow...
We are encouraging everyone to vote by mail for the June 2 primary election
It is easy, secure and safe By now you probably know the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has postponed Pennsylvania’s Primary to June 2. To help protect public health and help mitigate the spread of the disease, Senator Hughes and other public officials suggest...
The coronavirus should not stop children from learning
There are a number of available resources to keep kids engaged The sad reality of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is that it has been a major hindrance to students learning. Whether the reason is because of the technology gap or otherwise, our students must...
Sen. Hughes to hold telephone town hall on economic impact payments, unemployment changes
Join the senator and experts for the latest information Senator Hughes is committed to ensuring you have the latest information on important topics during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Join him for the latest conversation on economic impact payments and...
Should you use an absentee ballot to vote in the June 2 primary?
Pennsylvania’s primary election has been postponed to June 2 because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and public health concerns around spreading the virus. Voting by absentee ballot is one way to submit your ballot without having to go to the polls. Those who may...
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) expands benefits to self-employed, contractors and gig workers
The federal government is providing help to those who have been forced out of work by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic who have typically been excluded from collecting unemployment. Pennsylvania recently rolled out information on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance...
Register now to vote by mail in the June 2 primary
The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has forced Pennsylvania officials to move the commonwealth’s 2020 primary election June 2. Senator Hughes is encouraging people to vote by mail to avoid risking exposure to the coronavirus going to the polls. The process is pretty...
Sens. Hughes, A. Williams lay out proposed temporary changes to business interruption insurance with support of small business owners, PRLA
HARRISBURG – April 20, 2020 – Several small business owners and the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA) joined state Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Anthony Williams (D-Delaware/Philadelphia) in the call for temporary changes to...
Senator Hughes to host telephone town hall on financial resources during the coronavirus pandemic
Join Senator Hughes at 8:20 p.m., Thursday, April 16 for a telephone town hall on financial resources during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. You can RSVP for the conversation here. The senator will be joined by Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry...
Senator Hughes Comments On Senate Bill 613
PA CARE Package provides relief for consumers
Senator Hughes and likeminded colleagues in Pennsylvania’s highest offices are continuing to prioritize the needs of the people as we fight to get through the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic together. The latest example comes from Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who has...
Coronavirus relief: Small business loans and grants are still available
Small businesses are the backbone of our local and state economies, so it is important our businessowners have access to all of the relevant resources during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security (CARES) Act provides...
Unemployment benefits have been increased, extended because of the coronavirus pandemic
Our state and federal governments have made significant changes to unemployment benefits to help workers in need as a result of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act adds $600 per week to regular...
Stimulus payments have begun going out; what you need to know to receive the funds
Many Pennsylvanians are in need of major economic relief because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Hardworking people have been laid off, furloughed and left without work because of a statewide stay-at-home order and widespread closings of non-essential businesses...
Preserving your mental health: coping tips during the coronavirus pandemic
Dealing with the coronavirus COVID-19 has affected our hearts and minds in ways we could not have expected when this pandemic began. It is understandable to be confused, uncertain, anxious and a number of feelings during these times. There are plenty of resources...
#StayAtHome: Be safe in observing religious holidays during the coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for people of faith who are accustomed to gathering with their congregations in fellowship and worship. Stay-at-home orders across the country are helping to save lives, but it is forcing adherents to avoid...
Need help managing your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic? There is help available
The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues to keep us in our homes and out of our normal routines, which is taking its toll on the mental health of millions of Americans who are forced to maintain physical distance from their friends, families and other loved...
PA Senate Democrats Urge Action on Legislation for Working Families, Pledge to Oppose Partisan COVID Task Force
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary use;...
House and Senate Democratic Caucuses Seek Immediate Legislative Action on Needs of Workers and Middle Class Families
Harrisburg, PA − April 6, 2020 − Leaders from the Democratic caucuses of the Pennsylvania House and Senate today presented legislative solutions for working families during the COVID outbreak and business closures. They addressed issues, including: Retaliation against...
Join Senator Hughes for a coronavirus telephone town hall
Join Senator Hughes at 6 p.m. Monday, April 6 for an important telephone town hall on the continued coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic response and what it means for you. RSVP for the conversation here. The senator wants to ensure people have the most...
TONIGHT: Join Sen. Hughes, 3 state reps for State Innovation Exchange telephone town hall
Senator Hughes is partnering with the State Innovation Exchange for a legislative telephone town hall at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, April 2. The forum aims to give Pennsylvanians an opportunity to hear from four leaders fighting on behalf of hardworking...
Senator Hughes to discuss evictions, foreclosures and consumer protection initiatives during coronavirus outbreak
To address important topics related to coronavirus COVID-19, Senator Hughes is set to hold a town hall to hold a telephone town hall at TONIGHT at 6:00 p.m. Senator Hughes and guests from Community Legal Services will discuss evictions, foreclosures and consumer...
Sen. Hughes, Rep. Rabb to join We The People PA for COVID-19 virtual community conversation
Senator Hughes and Representative Chris Rabb will headline a virtual community conversation hosted by We The People PA at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. The virtual community conversation will immediately following the senator’s telephone town...
Senator Hughes to discuss evictions, foreclosures and consumer protection initiatives during coronavirus outbreak
To address important topics related to coronavirus COVID-19, Senator Hughes is set to hold a town hall to hold a telephone town hall at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. Senator Hughes and guests from Community Legal Services will discuss evictions, foreclosures and...
Senator Hughes helps local distiller convert operations to produce hand sanitizer in response to coronavirus outbreak
Companies across PA will now be able to produce sanitizer Senator Hughes was instrumental in helping Pennsylvania distillers convert their operations to producing much-needed hand sanitizer as a response to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Rob Cassell,...
Failure to follow playbook leads to poor federal pandemic response
The potential strain on our health care system has been widely discussed as the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak continues. That is why It is important we understand how we got to this point, especially as the U.S. takes the world lead in diagnosed...
Philadelphia adds food sites for residents in need
In response to continued shutdowns because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Philadelphia is partnering with Share Food Program and Philabundance to get food to residents in need during this public health crisis. The sites are open Mondays...
The coronavirus pushes the tax deadline to July 15
Our friends at Campaign for Working Families can still help The coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak forced Senator Hughes and the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) to postpone their free tax preparation and Earned Income Tax filing events for now, but...
PHL COVID-19 fund raises more than $8 million to help public health initiatives, nonprofits in 9 days
The fear, anxiety and uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak has cast a shadow on our region for the past few weeks, however as we are able to expand testing and plans are passed to help those in need, a there is a growing sense...
Fresh Grocer of Monument, Lyft providing free rides for seniors to go grocery shopping
One of our friends in the community has created an awesome partnership with Lyft to make sure seniors have a way to get groceries during the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. The Fresh Grocer on Monument Road is partnering with Lyft to provide free rides for seniors to...
What the $2 trillion federal stimulus response to the coronavirus means for you
This week, the U.S. Senate passed a $2 trillion plan intended to help offset the effects of the coronavirus COVID-19 across the nation. Senate Democrats pushed for strong worker protections that will help working people in a number of ways. Here are some of...
PA’s primary moved to June 2 because of the coronavirus
The coronavirus COVID-19 continues to impact our lives in many ways, which has prompted officials to move Pennsylvania’s primary election date to June 2. A bill to postpone the primary passed through the General assembly this week and is expected to be signed by Gov....
Senators Hughes and Collett Call for Additional Ventilator Care Funding During Public Health Crisis
Montgomery County, PA – March 26, 2020 – Senators Vincent Hughes (D-7 Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Maria Collett, RN (D-12 Montgomery/Bucks) today urged the Governor and their colleagues to include additional funding for nursing homes serving Medicaid patients...
Stay at home: Please do your part to stop the spread of coronavirus
Philadelphia, Montgomery County and the southeast Pennsylvania region remain the epicenter of the coronavirus COVID-19 epidemic in the commonwealth, resulting in a stay-at-home order for the city of Philadelphia and its surrounding counties. The...
Hughes, Kearney, Scanlon, Boyle Lead Effort to Convert PA Distilleries into Hand Sanitizer Production Facilities
PHILADELPHIA, PA − March 25, 2020 − State Senators Vincent Hughes and Tim Kearney, U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Brendan Boyle announced today that they have successfully broken down the regulatory barriers preventing more than 130 small...
Doctors join Sen. Hughes for telephone town hall on coronavirus outbreak
Join Senator Hughes for an important telephone town hall conversation about the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24. You can RSVP by following the link. Sen. Hughes will be joined by special town hall guests Dr. Valerie Arkoosh,...
Join Sen. Hughes for a telephone town hall on the coronavirus
Join Senator Hughes for an important telephone town hall conversation about the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24. You can RSVP by following the link. The senator will be joined by public health officials to discuss the outbreak,...
Attorney General fights against coronavirus price gouging
Price gouging has been a major concern across the U.S. since the beginning of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic declaration, and Pennsylvania’s leaders are fighting back. Montgomery County’s own, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, and his office are cracking...
Take care of your mental health: resources are available during the coronavirus outbreak
The fear caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many people in Philadelphia, Montgomery County and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The large number of closings and strong recommendations to practice social distancing to prevent...
How you can get tested for coronavirus in Philadelphia and Montgomery County
Philadelphia, Montgomery County and the immediate region remain the epicenter for the coronavirus outbreak in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting 71 cases in Montgomery County, 69 in Philadelphia, 33 in Delaware County, 24 in Bucks...
PA changes unemployment rules to help its people during coronavirus outbreak
State officials have responded to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent business closings by making it easier to access unemployment during this unprecedented public health crisis. The first major change is the suspension of the waiting week, allowing those...
What is a life-sustaining business? Find out what businesses remain open during the coronavirus outbreak
Download List In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus COVID-19, Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses close by 8 a.m. March 23. Senator Hughes supports these closings, understanding that we must prevent the spread of this potentially...
The latest information on how you can get help with food in Philadelphia, Montgomery County
The continued effects of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak has led to the closings of all city non-essential Philadelphia businesses, as well as closings to all non-life sustaining businesses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This reality is unwelcome to...
PECO takes steps to support customers during coronavirus pandemic through at least May 1
Though its in-person customer service centers are currently closed, PECO is among the companies working to help its customers during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. PECO is suspending disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least...
Sen. Hughes endorses plan to aid workers during coronavirus crisis
The Philadelphia area remains the epicenter of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak in Pennsylvania. So far 185 positive cases have been reported in the commonwealth with 47 coming from Montgomery County and 33 from Philadelphia. Other Philly suburbs also are...
Pennsylvania Supreme Court suspends evictions, foreclosures until at least April 3
The Philadelphia area remains the epicenter of the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak in Pennsylvania. So far 133 positive cases have been reported in the commonwealth with 42 coming in Montgomery County and 17 in Philadelphia. Other Philly suburbs also are reporting...
Sen. Hughes supports the American Working Families Relief Action Plan to aid PA’ians during coronavirus crisis
Philadelphia — March 18, 2020 — State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) issued the following statement, expressing his support for the American Working Families Relief Action Plan to aid working Pennsylvanians in response to the coronavirus COVID-19...
PGW suspending late fees, disconnections during coronavirus outbreak
As of noon Wednesday, there have been 133 confirmed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 reported in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County has reported 42 cases and Philadelphia has reported 17 cases. State health officials will release the official count once a day going...
Shift to student meal distribution announced in Philadelphia, find out when & where you can get food
There have been 96 confirmed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County has reported 32 cases and Philadelphia has reported 10 cases. State health officials will release the official count once a day going forward as testing increases....
Philadelphia, statewide shutdowns issued because of coronavirus
Philadelphia working to mitigate effects on communities As of 8:15 a.m. Monday, there are 76 confirmed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County remains the epicenter of the state’s cases with 30. All non-essential businesses and...
Resources are available to Montgomery County residents amid coronavirus closings
As of noon Sunday, there are 63 confirmed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. There are 24 cases in Montgomery County and 6 in Philadelphia County. There has been an increase in reported cases in neighboring Bucks, Chester and Delaware...
How to get meals for Philadelphia students during school closures for coronavirus
As of 2:00 p.m. Saturday, there are 6 confirmed cases and 41 presumed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. Of that total, 20 are in Montgomery County and four are in Philadelphia. Schools across Pennsylvania will be closed until at least March 27, shaking...
Take the necessary precautions to prevent spread of the virus: Sen. Hughes
So far, 41 cases of coronavirus have been reported across the commonwealth, with 18 cases in Montgomery County and three cases in Philadelphia. The number of cases is expected to rise, but through closing schools and limiting social contact, health officials...
Sen. Hughes office open for calls, email during coronavirus concerns
To the constituents of the 7th Senatorial District and all other individuals wishing to visit our district office, our staff will be available to respond to issues by phone and by email. This decision is made in an attempt to contribute to the overall health of the...
Workers’ Compensation (WC) Benefits
Two filing options:
- If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 in your workplace, you may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation (WC) by either:
- Notifying your employer to file a typical “disease-as-injury” WC claim, which requires you to provide medical evidence that you were exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace
- Notifying your employer to file an “occupational disease” WC claim, which requires you to show that COVID-19 is occurring more in your occupation/industry than in the general population
Claims:
- All WC claims (including COVID-19) are thoroughly reviewed, and decisions are made based on the facts and merits of each claim and the law
- If your COVID-19 claim is denied, you may file a petition with the WC Office of Adjudication
- Learn more about Workers’ Compensation and the Injured Worker
Unemployment Compensation
Mitigation efforts related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Pennsylvania have required everyone to work within rapidly changing, complex circumstances which create a variety of unique situations and conditions for workers, businesses, employers and communities. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry is committed to providing workers and business communities with ongoing guidance, resources, and information. This page is updated regularly.
Use our Keep Yourself Safe at Work During a COVID-19 Pandemic one-pager for safety information and resources.
Workers impacted by COVID-19 can also visit our Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19 page for the latest updates.
Workers in Pennsylvania who are impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation benefits – Unemployment compensation claims should be submitted online for faster processing.
The following information that has been provided by the Department of Labor and Industry regarding Unemployment Compensation:
- Governor Wolf has temporarily suspended the waiting-week requirement in Section 401(e) of the UC Law. With this suspension, a claimant can immediately file for benefits, and the first week of unemployment will be a compensable week. The suspension of this section will also be in effect for the length of the emergency declaration.
- The provisions of the emergency declaration allow the Governor to immediately suspend the work registration and work search requirements in Unemployment Compensation Law and adopted Regulations and the Governor has temporarily suspended these requirements for the length of the emergency declaration.
- The PA UC Law allows for employers to be relieved of charges for compensation once there has been a federal disaster declaration under the Stafford Act and the individuals would have been eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Therefore, an employer may be relieved from charges for compensation paid to an individual with respect to any week of unemployment occurring due to COVID-19.
Applying online is the fastest and easiest way to get started. You can find call center hours and other vital info at www.uc.pa.gov; learn all UC benefit requirements by visiting the self-service guide; or use UC LiveChat.
If you are having difficulty filing a claim or not being able to through to someone if you need direct assistance from Unemployment Compensation, please contact my office.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) has launched the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program to provide an additional 13 weeks of benefits to people who exhaust their regular unemployment compensation (UC).
PEUC is included in the new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Pennsylvania has implemented all programs under the new CARES Act and paid out nearly $7.4 billion in total unemployment benefits since mid-March.
Important information about the extended benefits program follows and has also been emailed or mailed via the United States Postal Service to all individuals who potentially qualify for PEUC.
Eligibility
You are eligible for PEUC if you:
- Are unemployed between March 29 through December 26, 2020;
- Have exhausted your regular state or federal benefits with week ending July 6, 2019 or later;
- Are currently not eligible for state or federal unemployment benefits; and
- Are able and available to work and actively seeking work, except for COVID-19-related reasons including illness, quarantine, or “stay at home” orders.
How to Receive PEUC
- If you have an open UC claim but exhausted all of your benefits, the 13 additional weeks will automatically be added to your existing claim. Log in this week to file biweekly claims for prior weeks, back through the week ending April 4 (if applicable).
- If your benefit year has expired then you must submit an application online.
- If you don’t have access to computers or the internet, you can have a loved one or friend print the paper application for you to complete and submit via mail. L&I is also in the process of mailing paper copies of the application to individuals who might need them.
- Biweekly claims and payments work the same way as for regular UC benefits.
PEUC Weekly Benefit Amount:
- Your PEUC weekly benefit amount is the same as your regular UC weekly benefit rate.
- Your weekly benefit rate is based on your reported earnings during the base year (the first four of the last five completed quarters). You must also have over 18 credit weeks (weeks during which you earned $116 or more) in your base year to be eligible for UC.
Extra $600 on PEUC:
- You will receive an additional $600 per week from the federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program. Anyone collecting any type of UC, including PEUC, will receive the extra $600 per week in addition to your weekly benefits as calculated.
- FPUC payments began the week ending April 4, 2020 and will end July 25, 2020. These payments will be backdated for eligible individuals and paid in one lump sum.
- You will receive the extra $600 FPUC payments the week after your PEUC payments.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides payment to workers not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.
Covered:
- Diagnosed with COVID-19 or with COVID-19 symptoms and seeking diagnosis
- Member of household has been diagnosed with COVID-19
- Providing care for family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19
- Primary caregiver for child unable to attend school or another facility closed due to COVID-19
- Unable to reach place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because advised by medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19
- Scheduled to commence new employment and cannot reach workplace as direct result of COVID-19
- Became major breadwinner because head of household died from COVID-19
- Quit job as a direct result of COVID-19
- Place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19
- Self-employed / Independent Contractors / 1099 filers / Farmers – and affected by COVID-19
- Seeking part-time employment but affected by COVID-19
- With insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19
- Otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19
Not Covered:
- Individuals that can telework with pay
- Individual receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits (regardless of meeting a category listed above)
Important Links:
Federal CARES Act
On Friday, Governor Wolf announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry is implementing new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The COVID-19 relief package temporarily provides an additional $600 per week, makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits and extends unemployment compensation (UC) benefits for an additional 13 weeks. The federal benefits are in addition to Pennsylvania’s regular unemployment benefit, which is about half of a person’s full-time weekly income up to $572 per week for 26 weeks.
As part of the CARES Act, unemployment benefits are being expanded to provide an additional $600 per week beginning the week ending April 4, 2020, through the week ending July 25, 2020. This temporary emergency increase in benefits is referred to as the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program.
On Friday, Labor & Industry issued the first $600 payments. All eligible claimants that filed biweekly claims for the week ending April 4 and who received their regular UC payment should expect to see the additional money either today or Wednesday. For other eligible claimants who have not yet received a regular UC payment, they will receive the extra $600 the week after receiving their first UC payment.
It is very important to note that anyone who currently has federal withholding tax taken out of their benefits will see the same 10% reduction in the FPUC payment, resulting in a $540 payment. For information about changing your withholding election, visit L&I’s Taxes on Benefits page.
The $600 is paid separately from the biweekly UC benefit, and residents do not need to apply.
Visit the department’s FPUC frequently asked questions for more information.
The CARES Act also temporarily makes unemployment compensation available to self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, and others not normally eligible for the benefit. The program is referred to as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). These workers cannot apply through the department’s UC online system at this time. The U.S. Department of Labor requires that PUA be tracked separately from regular UC. For this reason, Pennsylvania must build a new online platform to process PUA benefits.
Eligible individuals should be able to start applying for PUA benefits within the next two weeks. Eligible claimants will receive backdated payments to January 27, 2020, or the first week they were unable to work due to COVID-19, whichever of the two dates is later. The PUA benefit will end December 31, 2020. The department will announce when the PUA benefit application is available. Please visit L&I’s PUA frequently asked questions for more information.
The CARES Act provides an additional 13 weeks of unemployment compensation, including for workers who exhaust their regular unemployment benefits. Claimants will be eligible for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) from the week beginning March 29, 2020, through the end of the year. The department is awaiting additional federal guidance about the program and will provide an update when information is available.
Additional Information for workers impacted by COVID-19:
If your job has been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits. You can apply online to get started.
Please note that the waiting week has been suspended. Eligible claimants may receive benefits for the first week that they are unemployed. Previously, claimants were not eligible for benefits during their first week of unemployment.
Work search and work registration requirements have been temporarily waived for all claimants. Claimants are not required to prove they have applied or searched for a new job to maintain UC benefits. Claimants are also not required to register with PA Career Link.
Find Food Locations
For a comprehensive list of free food distribution sites through the city of Philadelphia:
The Coalition against Hunger also has a list of summer meal sites for children under 18:
Testing services for COVID-19
- You will need a prescription from your doctor, and some providers are able to offer services virtually/over the phone.
- If you’re going to any medical facility in person, call before you go.
- If you don’t have a fever, you’re not eligible for a screening… even if you’ve been traveling internationally, had a known exposure, etc.
- For testing:
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- State Hotline for COVID-19
- No provider? Call: 1-877-PA-HEALTH
- Have clinical questions? Call: 1-877-PA-HEALTH
- Or fill out contact form