UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
- For a full list of upcoming events, visit UnitedWaySELA.org/HospitalityCaresEvents.
EMERGENCY CRISIS GRANTS
Hospitality Cares offers emergency grants up to $2,500 to eligible employees at businesses running active United Way campaigns in the hospitality industry. The funds will provide temporary assistance during times of crisis to assist with housing, medical, and utility bills.
Funds for the program’s crisis grants are generated through employee contributions to UWSELA hospitality workplace campaigns. Fifty percent of campaign proceeds support emergency crisis grant allocations overseen by the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation (LHF), and 50% are dedicated to existing United Way of Southeast Louisiana education, health, and financial stability initiatives serving our entire seven-parish community.
To apply for a crisis grant through the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, visit louisianahospitalityfoundation.org/crisis-grants/.
HOSPITALITY CARES RESOURCES
- Counseling and Group Therapy - In partnership with Loyola Counseling Center & Education, Hospitality Cares is extending mental health outreach and care to hospitality industry workers in our seven-parish service area. Offered services include direct individual, family, and couple therapy, and group therapy exclusively designed for the hospitality industry. To access counseling, call 504.864.7858 or email LCCE@loyno.edu.
- Legal Services & Education - In partnership with Loyola Law College of Law and Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Hospitality Cares will provide legal services to hospitality workers, including one-on-one direct civil legal aid and online monthly ‘Know Your Rights’ webinars on hot topics. To apply for legal services by telephone at 504.529.1000 or online at SLLS.org.
- Know Your Rights: Unemployment Insurance during COVID (11.12.20) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: Housing Laws during COVID (12.10.20) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: Stimulus Webinar (1.14.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: Tax Complications (2.12.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: Returning to Work During COVID-19 (3.11.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: Third Stimulus Plan (4.8.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: Unemployment Under the New Administrations (5.13.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: Federal Guidelines for Tipped Employees (6.10.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: Tax Guidelines for Tipped Employees (7.8.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Know Your Rights: The Current Housing Crisis and Eviction Moratorium (8.12.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Eviction Protection Declaration Form - download here
- United Way Rent and Mortgage Assistance Grant Applications - click here
- City of New Orleans COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program Application - click here
- Know Your Rights: LA Disaster Relief (9.9.21) - click here to view the recorded webinar
- Presentation slides - click here
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Individual Development Account (IDA) - United Way’s IDA Project is a matched savings account program helping low-income individuals purchase long-term assets
- SingleCare - No one should be forced to choose between paying for food, rent or medicine because of the high cost of prescriptions. That’s why we’ve partnered with SingleCare (formerly FamilyWize) to distribute free prescription discount cards to everyone in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes.
- MyFreeTaxes.com - United Way has partnered with H&R Block to offer their premium online tax prep service, for free, to households of any income level who are filing simple returns (no schedule C, D, or E).
- ViaLink211 – Need help? Dial 211. 211 provides information, program referrals, and crisis intervention to individuals across the region.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) - Did you earn less than $56,000 last year? Our VITA program offers free tax help to individuals, families, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Please contact your local VITA office for more information.
- Click here to view the pre-recorded Resources for Restaurant Owners and Managers webinar (2.23.21).
REFERENCE CHART
Legal services are offered to families impacted by COVID and have worked in or currently working in but having reduced income in the hospitality industry. Incomes must be at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines which vary by household size. Our poverty guidelines are below. Might be good to give an example - like a family of 3 would need to have income at or below $43,440.
Reference Chart—200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines
Size of household | 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia | Alaska | Hawaii |
1…………………………………………. | $25,520 | $31,900 | $29,360 |
2 | $34,480 | $43,100 | $39,660 |
3…………………………………………. | $43,440 | $54,300 | $49,960 |
4…………………………………………. | $52,400 | $65,500 | $60,260 |
5…………………………………………. | $61,360 | $76,700 | $70,560 |
6…………………………………………. | $70,320 | $87,900 | $80,860 |
7…………………………………………. | $79,280 | $99,100 | $91,160 |
8…………………………………………. | $88,240 | $110,300 | $101,460 |
For each additional member of the household in excess of 8, add: | $8,960 | $11,200 | $10,300 |