• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Crisis Assistance Programs for adults with a dependent child. The TANF program provides eligible low-income families with minor children with a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs. Under TANF, Diversionary Assistance is intended to provide families immediate intervention with short-term aid to resolve a one-time emergency or crisis situation and prevent the need for ongoing TANF; Emergency Assistance provides assistance to meet the emergency needs of families who have experienced a natural disaster, fire, or facing an eviction.

• New River Community Action - rent, mortgage, medical and utility payment assistance, food, household supplies, diapers and infant formula. Pulaski (540) 980-5525 | Radford (540) 320-7460 | Montgomery (540) 382-6186 | Floyd (540) 745-2102 | Giles (540) 921-2146.

• Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program. (540) 382-6186 or 381-1561.

• The Salvation Army - Assistance available in person at 80 College St. Christiansburg, 9:30-3:30 M-F (usually closed for lunch 12-1). Call Shelby, (540) 394-3233. Salvation Army can help (once every 12 months) with up to $150 as long as it’s the last $150 of your bill for electric, gas, water, or rent. You will fill out an application. Bring your ID and the bill. It takes about a week for them to mail the check to the company or landlord but they will call ahead to let them know it’s coming. They have funds to help five people per week so it’s best to call ahead.

Information

• • COVID-19 Virginia Resources re: employment issues.

  • Virginia Unemployment Resources - 1-866-832-2363 or apply online. Includes partial assistance for reduced hours. The state phone number has had issues. Delegate Chris Hurst’s office has been notified. Best time to call is in the morning M-F (they open 8:15am). The Radford office serves the New River Valley, (540) 831-5980.

Relief Funds for Service Workers - Local

• • Southwest Virginia Virtual Tip Jar - Enter your PayPal, CashApp, and/or Venmo info if you are a service industry worker in need.

Relief Funds for Workers - National

• Modest Needs provides short-term financial assistance to individuals and families in temporary crisis who, because they are working and live just above the poverty level, are ineligible for most types of conventional social assistance, including public school teachers, first responders, veterans returning from service abroad and active duty military members.

Relief Funds for Hospitality Workers - National

• • Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Program by the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation - Emergency funding for those employed by restaurants, bars, and their suppliers, as well as owners of restaurants and bars, if facing unforeseen expenses not covered by insurance. 4/13/20

  • GET HELP - One Fair Wage Emergency Fund - Accepting applications for assistance. 4/13/20

  • CORE™: CHILDREN OF RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES - For food and beverage service employees, with children, if they have been medically diagnosed with COVID-19. Documentation is required. 4/13/20

  • Another Round Another Rally - Offering $500 relief grants to anyone in the hospitality industry (dishwasher, bartender, server, busser, chef, cook, sommelier, manager, host, concierge, cleaning staff, or barback). Applications are open Monday 9am to Friday 5pm PST. 4/13/20 update: interviews paused.

  • Restaurant Opportunities Centers United is providing resources and financial assistance to restaurant workers impacted by the coronavirus crisis. 4/13/20 update: applications paused.

  • Bartender Emergency Assistance Program - For bartenders or the spouse or child of a bartender. (A “bartender” is defined as an individual employed in serving beverages or otherwise engaged in the production, promotion or distribution of alcoholic beverages.)

Local

• • Strange Frequencies - Sign up to help promote your streaming ukulele lessons, jam sessions, and couch concerts. Add your Venmo or PayPal for tips. Add a link to your website or social media so people can follow you for future events.

National

• • GrantSpace - scroll down to “FOR ARTISTS”

  • MusicCovidRelief.com is a resource to any musicians, audio engineers, promoters, venue owners, equipment rental companies, and all of the people who work in the music industry who want to know about unemployment benefits, small business loans, grants, and additional resources.

  • Artist Relief - Artist Relief will distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19. ("Dire" is defined as lack or imminent endangerment of essentials such as housing, medicine, caretaking, and food.) May 21, 2020 deadline.

Please check out our Additional Information for more about national resources and funds, ways to organize to support yourself and others, and your rights.