9/28: Monday Briefing

By rebecca No comments

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STATE

  • The Department of Social and Health Services, or DSHS, is expected to provide extra food benefits up to the maximum allowed for each household for October 2020.
    • Those who normally receive food benefits on October 1 or 2 will see the additional benefits on their EBT card October 2nd.
    • Those who normally receive food benefits between October 3 and 20 will receive them on their regular issuance date.
    • A scam which targets SNAP benefits recipients has been circulating; DSHS notes that they do not text anyone regarding benefits.
    • If SNAP participants are unsure if a request for information is legitimate, USDA advises they contact their local SNAP office, which for WA State is 1-877-501-2233
    • DSHS offices were closed today, Sept 28th, due to budget-related furlough, but will be open again tomorrow, Tuesday Sept 29th for full service.

TACOMA

  • Tacoma City Council will hold its weekly meeting virutally tomorrow, September 29, at 6pm
    • It will air on TV Tacoma and will be livestreamed on TVTacoma.com and on the city’s Facebook live.

TESTING SITES

  • There are numerous free testing sites in our region:
  • For Pierce County locations, visit TPCHD.org/covidtest.
  • This week’s mobile testing events in Pierce County include:
    • Tacoma Nazarene Church, Rainier View Christian Church, and PLU will hold free mobile testing on Tuesday, Sept 29th
    • Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Michael’s Plaza, Tacoma Community House, and Metro Parks Tacoma’s STAR center will hold free mobile testing on Wednesday, Sept 30th
    • Metro Parks’ Verlo Park and Church for All Nations will host testing events on Thursday, Oct 1st
    • Fort Steilacoom Park, University of Puget Sound, and Trinity Church Food Program Building will hold testing events on Friday, Oct 2nd.
  • No ID is required and tests are free and open to anyone.
  • Many testing events run all day from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, but check TPCHD.org/covidtest for times.
  • Community Health Care, with locations in Tacoma, Spanaway, and Lakewood, is offering testing for COVID-19, even if you are not a Community Health Care patient.
    • Call (253) 722-2161 for a Tele-Health Screening Appointment