Basic Needs

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major adjustments and changes for all of us. Despite these changes, we all need basic necessities like food, shelter, medication and access to healthcare. Below are resources for West Virginians who need help making ends meet during this difficult time.  If you need basic necessities like food, or help through charitable organizations, there is help available.  Below are two ways that you can find assistance.

West Virginia 211 – Call, Text, or Chat

2-1-1 connects callers with health and human services resources through trained, certified specialists. Anyone can call 2-1-1 to learn about specific programs, intake requirements, eligibility, operation hours and more.

Operated by the United Ways of West Virginia, provides an important service to West Virginians by helping users navigate the vast number of resources available to aid with healthcare issues, food shortages, mental health questions and more. This program is more important now than ever as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and I commend United Way for continuing to serve their fellow West Virginians through this time.

To utilize these resources West Virginians can:

Information For EBT Clients

The West Virginia Office of EBT encourages Mountain State EBT Cardholders and retailers to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing healthy behaviors. Below are some examples:

CARDHOLDERS
•    Sanitize your Mountain State EBT Cards (and other cards) often.                                                                                 
•    Wash your hands and avoid touching your face and others after using Point of Sale (POS) machines, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and money.

RETAILERS
•    Clean and disinfect your frequently touched surfaces daily.
•    Clean and disinfect cash registers, POS machines, ATMs, Money, Pens, etc.
•    Wash your hands and avoid touching your face and others often after use of cash registers, POS machines, ATMs, Money, Pens, etc.

Emergency Rental Assistance

Emergency Rental Assistance programs were authorized through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. In West Virginia, the Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program has been established to help renters and landlords who have faced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible Expenses may include:

  • Past due and current rent beginning April 1, 2020 and up to three months forward rent
  • Past due and current water, sewer, gas, electric and home energy costs such as propane
  • A one-time $300 stipend for internet expenses so you can use the internet for distance learning, telework, telemedicine and/or to obtain government services

    • For more information, or to apply for rental assistance, click here: https://www.wvhdf.com/programs/mountaineer-rental-assistance-program 

    Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

    Applications are open for the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. Eligible West Virginians can apply to offset the cost of receiving broadband access at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and can receive $50 off their monthly internet bill and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers.

    A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
  • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

    • How to Apply

    There are three ways for eligible households to apply:
    1. Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
    2. Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
    3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with copies of documents showing proof of eligibility to:
      Emergency Broadband Support Center
      P.O. Box 7081
      London, KY 40742

    After receiving an eligibility determination, households can contact their preferred service provider to select an Emergency Broadband Benefit eligible service plan.

    More Information: Emergency Broadband Benefit Program One Pager (PDF)

      Call or Email Senator Manchin's Office

      Senator Manchin and his staff will try to assist you, no matter your needs.  To do that, please call 304-342-5855 and leave a message.  A staff member will return your call. You can also email your concerns to common_sense@manchin.senate.gov

      WV 211 Brochure Front

      WV 211 Brochure Back

      ** As we receive further information, we will continue to update this page.

      Updated May 19, 2021

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