We are here for you! Our staff is hard at work.
We are continuing to offer services via phone, internet or in person by appointment.
Our phone number is (360) 378-5246.
The Resource Center is currently following the guidelines of the CDC, Washington State Health Department and San Juan County Health & Community Services.
Help us keep our island healthy – if you need our services, please call us.
For important information about coronavirus and our local community, click here: https://www.sanjuanco.com/1668/2019-Novel-Coronavirus
Financial Aid is available.
If you are experiencing financial hardship during these challenging times, you may be worried about how you are going to cover basic living expenses such as food, rent and utilities. Put your mind at ease. We are here to get you the help you need.
We will direct you to the right place, help you fill out forms for financial aid and arrange for short-term emergency assistance. You can also apply for food benefits. There are many avenues of support in our community. For more information, call us at 360-378-5246.
Here are a few offerings available for islanders:
Utility Bill Assistance
- OPALCO Project PAL
If you have been financially impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive help with your electric bill through Project PAL. OPALCO has also suspended all late-payment penalties and disconnections for non-payment.
- Town of Friday Harbor
If you live in the Town of Friday Harbor, you may qualify for the Harbor Life Ring utility bill assistance program. This program helps families with temporary financial difficulties pay their water bills.
Rental Assistance
If you can’t pay the rent this month, don’t worry about getting evicted. Governor Inslee issued a moratorium that prohibits landlords from evicting residential tenants who fail to pay part or all of their rent, serving 20-day notices to terminate a month-to-month tenancy or filing an eviction lawsuit for nonpayment of rent. The Family Resource Center also offers short-term emergency rental assistance.
Home Delivery
Information about delivery of critical services for vulnerable islanders.
Vulnerable persons that need home delivery of essential household goods such as food or medicine can call Senior Services or the Resource Centers to ask for help.
SAN JUAN ISLAND
✅San Juan Island Family Resource Center
office.sjifrc@gmail.com
360-378-5246 or 833-959-0025 (toll-free)
✅San Juan County Senior Services
Debbie Haagensen
360-370-7526
debbieh@sanjuanco.com
LOPEZ ISLAND
✅Lopez Island Family Resource Center
Contessa Downey
360-468-4117
contessa@lifrc.org
✅San Juan County Senior Services
Roni Becker Wilkie
360-468-2421
roni@sanjuanco.com
ORCAS ISLAND
✅Orcas Family Resource Center
Jana Daniel-Webb
360-376-3184
jana@orcascrc.org
✅San Juan County Senior Services
Heidi Bruce
360-370-0591
heidib@sanjuanco.com
Food Assistance
Food Bank Hours: Wednesday & Saturday 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
You can apply for food benefits directly through Washington State Department of Social and Health Services by going to washingtonconnection.org. If you don’t have access to a computer or have questions, call us at 360-378-5246 and we will guide you through the application process.
SNAP Emergency Supplements for March and April: See latest information
Unemployment Assistance
We wish that our staff could help you to file for benefits, but if you need to apply for unemployment, you must do so directly. Please call WA State Employment Security directly at (800) 318-6022 or apply online at: https://www.esd.wa.gov/unemployment
Important Note: the Unemployment Office is still catching up on revising their online application to meet current demands. If you file a claim and get a “denied” response, please take the time to call the Employment Security Department. In many cases, you will ultimately be approved for benefits even if the initial intake system says you are denied. New COVID-19 “emergency rules” for receiving unemployment benefits mean that many people who are not traditionally covered for benefits may be able to receive assistance.
FLYER: From the Washington State Employment Security Department
Covid-19 Scenarios and Benefits.
The information shared on this flyer does not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency or company. It is the reader’s responsibility to verify the facts of coverage.
Last updated: 03/12/20 1 PM
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