COVID-19 Employee Resources

Dear PHL Employees,

We hope that you and your families are healthy and safe. As operations resume more fully at PHL, we are pleased to welcome back many of the positions that were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have introduced new standards and procedures that will protect our employees and passengers as more people return to the airport. “People First” is the first point in our PRIDE values. The safety, health, and welfare of our employees, passengers, and partners has always been and continues to be a priority.

Even with activity returning at the airport, we know that some workers continue to feel the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. We have compiled both resources specific to COVID-19 and other federal, state, and local resources, which we hope you will find useful moving forward. Please visit https://www.phl.org/COVID19 for more up-to-date information.

 

 

Employee Resources

Tenants Open In-Terminal

An inventory of businesses open for business during COVID-19 related slowdown.

www.phl.org/open

Displaced Worker Program

PHL sponsors a displaced worker inventory, which all Marketplace tenants are required to consult as a first step in hiring. This resource is being used to recall employees laid-off due to COVID-19 as more employers at PHL are hiring. Confirm you are registered on the displaced worker inventory here: https://displacedworker.phl.org/

Airport, hotel, and event center employees have the right to be recalled to the same or similar positions. Beginning January 7, 2021, employers must notify and offer eligible workers positions based on qualifications and seniority. Employees must meet the conditions below. See this article for more information.

  1. Worked for six months or more in the 12 months prior to January 31, 2020;
  2. Separation from employment happened between January 2020 and January 2021; and 
  3. The reason for separation was due to a government shutdown order, lack of business, or other economic, non-disciplinary reason. 

 

Employment Opportunities

There are essential businesses hiring in Philadelphia and the region. Find job postings in Pennsylvania on PA CareerLink. Find job postings in New Jersey on the New Jersey Hiring Portal. Airport-specific hiring continues to be hosted on http://phljobportal.org, when positions are available.

Unemployment Benefits

The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) ended September 4, 2021.  

Pennsylvania Unemployment Site 

COVID-19 updates: https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/covid19.aspx

New Jersey Unemployment Site

COVID-19 updates: https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/covidFAQ.shtml

 

Utilities, Internet and Phone

Find customer assistance programs for your state and/or utility provider.

Utilities

Pennsylvania

The PA Public Utility Commission (PUC) requires utility companies to offer extended payment plans due to the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents must call their utility provider to enroll in a payment plan. See here for additional information.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps very low-income households with heating costs. Applications are typically open in Pennsylvania from November to April. Find out more about the requirements and apply here.

PECO

PECO has expanded options for payment arrangements and assistance programs. Apply for help with your bills here and call PECO at 1-888-480-1533 to arrange a payment plan.

PGW

Customers struggling with their bill can call 215-235-1000 or visit PGW’s website to make arrangements to stay current on their bill.  

PPL Electric

If you are struggling with your PPL Electric bill, apply for assistance here. 

Philadelphia Water Department

PWD extended their shut-off moratorium until April 1, 2022. If you need assistance with your bill, call 215-685-6300 or apply for help here.

Pennsylvania American Water

Call Pennsylvania American Water at 1-800-565-7292 to set up a payment arrangement or check here to see if you are eligible for billing assistance programs.

New Jersey

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps very low-income households with heating costs. Applications are typically open in New Jersey from October to June. Find out more about requirements and apply here. You can also call the NJ Department of Community Affairs Energy Assistance Office at 1-800-510-3102.

Atlantic City Electric

Customers struggling to pay their Atlantic City Electric bill should call 1-800-642-3780 to establish a payment plan or apply for help with your bills here.

PSE&G

Customers unable to pay their PSE&G bill should call 1-800-357-2262 to arrange a deferred payment plan or apply for help with your bills here.

South Jersey Gas

Customers struggling with their South Jersey Gas bill should call 1-888-766-9900 to set up a payment arrangement or apply for help with your bills here.

New Jersey American Water

Call New Jersey American Water at 1-800-272-1325 to set up a payment arrangement or check here to see if you are eligible for billing assistance programs.

Internet & Phone

PHL ConnectED

The City of Philadelphia launched PHL ConnectED to connect families with K-12 students to the internet. See more about the requirements and how to apply online here or call 211 to speak with a navigator, available in over 150 languages.

AT&T

AT&T offers lower cost phone and internet service for low-income individuals and families. Lifeline phone service is available for families and individuals that are below 135% of the poverty line or receive other federal benefits. Find out more here. Access Internet is available for families or individuals that receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Find out more here.

Comcast

Comcast offers lower cost internet service for low-income individuals and families. Comcast Internet Essentials is available for individuals qualifying for certain federal benefits. Find out more here.

Verizon

Verizon participates in the Lifeline phone and internet access program which provides discounts to qualified low-income individuals and families below 135% of the federal poverty line. Learn more here.

 

 

Mortgage and Rent

The moratorium on evictions and foreclosures has ended in Pennsylvania. The PA Housing Finance Agency offers counseling and assistance for homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages.

 

Food

The City of Philadelphia distributes free food boxes at many sites. Families can pick up meals for children and youth at 60+ locations throughout the city. All children and youth are eligible, and no ID is required. Residents can also pick up food boxes at sites throughout the city. Seniors (anyone 60+) can pick up meals at sites throughout the city, but must call ahead to reserve meals. Find food sites here.

For other local efforts, check your county or township website.

Multi-County Food Banks

Food Banks by County

COVID-19 Vaccinations

How vaccines are distributed is different in each state, county, and city. All residents age 5 and older are eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are free and everyone is eligible regardless of immigration status. Find a City-run clinic here, find a partner-run clinic here, or call 311 for information.

Pennsylvania

www.vaccines.gov

New Jersey

covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder

 

 
Other Covid-19 Relief

Healthcare

Premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance coverage have been lowered through 2022 by the American Rescue Plan. Find out more and enroll during an open enrollment period here.

If you lost a job or had your hours cut, the American Rescue Plan offers free COBRA coverage through your previous employer from April 1 to September 30, 2021. This coverage is usually only available for 18 months after separation from a job. For example, if you lost your job in February 2020, you would only be eligible for free coverage until August 2021. Individuals will not have to backpay for retroactive coverage. Plan administrators were required to notify eligible individuals by May 30, 2021.

Student Loans

Interest on federal student loans is suspended until January 31, 2022. All loans have been put on administrative forbearance and borrowers are not required to make payments. If you continue to make payment voluntarily, the amount will be applied to the principle of the loan.

The American Rescue Plan put into place a new rule that from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2025 individuals will not have to pay income taxes on student loan debt that is forgiven or canceled. For example, if you completed the income-driven repayment period, were defrauded by your college, or complete the term for public service loan forgiveness.

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