COVID-19 Consumer Resources
Columbia Collection understands the impact these trying times can have on everyone. Many people are affected or touched one way or another by COVID-19. And not everyone is going to feel the same way or have the same emotions associated with this pandemic. At Columbia, we hear first-hand the impact COVID-19 is having on our consumers and community, and each day brings more challenges for individuals.
Columbia’s staff has genuine empathy for the lives and livelihoods negatively being impacted each day. We attempt to provide support not only by offering deferred payments, freezing accruing interest, and the purge of credit reporting- our staff also hears the person and what they are honestly saying. We listen to their struggles; we understand their pain. We listen to their fears, and we are able to suggest resources for the person to hopefully get the assistance needed.
The financial wound is extremely deep for many, and it is going to take some time to get over these wounds and the scars they are creating. But it’s okay – everyone is justified with their feelings and fears. However, we cannot let it define us; we are too strong and must continue to be strong – together! Our prayers and thoughts go out to everyone with the faith that this too shall pass, and when this is over and done with, we will ALL be better because of it!
Below are consumer resources researched and accumulated to assist those in need by providing information in one location for easy reference. This resource page is for education, information, and a contact resource for those in need. Columbia Collection Service cannot guarantee funding or approval for grants or assistance; this is information only.
Community and Business Resources
The following are community and business resources available for those who may be interested. Columbia Collection provides this information as a resource only. Columbia Collection cannot guarantee the approval of receiving assistance and or grants.
Oregon is holding millions of dollars in unclaimed assets – like uncashed checks, forgotten bank accounts, security deposits, tax refunds, credit balances, investment accounts and other funds. The Unclaimed Property Program keeps those funds safe for their rightful owners to claim. Search to see if the state is holding money that belongs to you! This free and secure service to search for and claim lost funds is provided by the State of Oregon’s Unclaimed Property Program. https://unclaimed.oregon.gov/
How to claim property – https://unclaimed.oregon.gov/app/claim/how-to-search
Oregon online application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits(SNAP)
You may be able to use your EBT card to order food online through Amazon and Walmart for home delivery (with delivery fees not covered by SNAP). https://apps.state.or.us/
Family Resources: Assistance with Food, Supplies, & Daycare
Material Goods – Cloth Diapering on a Budget http://www.pdxdiaperbank.org or email: info@pdxdiaperbank.org
Food Pantry & Meals 503-771-7914, http://www.cscoregon.org or email: info@cscoregon.org
Clothing and Baby Supplies 503-249-5801 Main line or 503-913-9360 Spanish line
http://www.momchildpdx.org or email: mauraw@momchildpdx.org
Material Goods – Bridge of Hope Resource Center 503-655-4223 ext. 2 Administration or 503-650-0153 Main phone
http://www.clackamasloveinc.
or info@clackamasloveinc.org
Individual & Family Support Services
http://triwou.org/projects/
Seniors age 60 or older who are at risk of malnutrition in Multnomah and Washington counties can sign up for free meals delivered to their home. Call 503-736-6325, or go to https://www.mowp.org/what-we-
The Sandy Community Action Center administers the Heat Oregon program which provides emergency electrical energy assistance on a first come first serve basis. Assistance begins in the Winter months until all funds are gone. http://www.sandyactioncenter.org/
- Food Pantry
Once a month, households falling under eligible income levels, or are currently participating in SNAP, TANF, SSI, or LIEAP receive a food box and a clothing card. To sign up for a food box, you must bring proof of residency showing that you live within the Oregon Trail School District. - Clothing Cards While shopping the pantry, low income households also receive a clothing card to spend on necessary clothing in the thrift store. (Same eligibility as the Food Pantry applies.)
- Daily Bread & Pastries Through partnerships with local stores and organizations, they are able to provide free bread and pastries daily at the front of the store.
- Community Basket 3rd Thursday of the month, 9:00 am until the food is gone. On the third Thursday of every month they work with the Oregon Food Bank to put on the Community Basket program.
- Senior Boxes USDA Supplemental Boxes for seniors 2nd Thursday of the month, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The second Thursday of every month, they partner with MainSpring to provide low income seniors (60+) with a box of food.
- Meal Site Friday Evenings, 6:00 to 7:00 pm. They sponsor a free, homemade, sit down dinner every Friday at 6:00 pm at the Community Church of Sandy.
Find a site where you can get free food boxes near you. There are no immigration status requirements for the food bank or food pantries. https://www.oregonfoodbank.
Low income working families may be eligible for financial help with childcare costs. ERDC is a subsidy program. This means eligible families still pay part of the childcare cost. This amount depends on the family’s income, size, and the amount the childcare provider charges. https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/
Housing Resources: Assistance With Rent, Utilities, & Bills
The CARES Act created new disaster grants that provide a cash advance worth up to $10,000 to small businesses and nonprofits within three days of application. In order to secure the advance those small businesses and nonprofits must also apply for traditional, low-interest disaster loans worth up to $2 million. Those funds may be used to cover payroll, paid sick leave, rent, mortgages and other costs. However, they may not be used to cover the same costs as PPP loans. https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19#/
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 1-5 pm and Tuesdays 6-8 pm – 503-288-0130
They can help renters anywhere in Oregon; however, you may need to join CAT as a member if you’re not in one of their funded counties. Funded counties are Multnomah, Washington, Jackson, Marion and Coos. https://www.oregoncat.org/join-cat
Rental deposit assistance clackamas.us/communitydevelopment/cha
or email: cha@clackamas.us
Rental deposit assistance http://www.janusyouth.org or email: bridgehouse@janusyouth.org
Emergency Utility Assistance 503-235-8431 Hotline – Phone staffed only half day, 9:30am-noon
503-595-2299 Español Food, rent & utility assistance questions
http://www.svdppdx.org
The DHS child welfare Independent Living Program (ILP) is designed to help youths who are, or were, in foster care to become self-sufficient adults. It gives an opportunity to learn valuable skills necessary to make a successful transition from state or tribal custody to living on your own in the community. oregon.gov/DHS/CHILDREN/FOSTERCARE
NHA provides affordable housing options for families, seniors and people with special needs across Oregon. https://nwhousing.org
http://www.nwnatural.com
503-226-4211 Customer Service
503-226-4240 Past-Due Bills/Credit Arrangements
http://www.portlandgeneral.com or email customer.service@pgn.com
503-228-6322 Customer Service
503-464-7777 Power outages in Portland
http://www.pacificpower.net
877-508-5088 Report Outages or Dangerous Conditions
888-221-7070 Customer Service
888-225-2611 Customer Service Español
Crisis Voucher Program 503-823-7770 Main phone
http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water
or email: pwbcustomerservice@portlandoregon.gov
Provides discounted or free phone or broadband service to qualifying low-income households, loans communications equipment to those with a disability in hearing, vision, speech, mobility or cognition, and enables those with a hearing or speech disability to make and receive phone calls through relay operators. https://www.oregon.gov/puc/
Rockwood Water Financial Assistance Program 503-405-7875 Main phone
503-405-7877 Energy Assistance Line
503-548-0217 Human Solutions
503-665-4179 Rockwood Water People’s Utility District
http://www.humansolutions.org
customerservice@rwpud.org
http://www.rwpud.org
HOUSING/SHELTER Serves age 55 and older without minor children in the household 503-227-5605
http://www.nwpilotproject.org or email: jasonc@nwpilotproject.org
LIHEAP is an assistance program designed to help low-income households with home heating cost. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is not an entitlement program. Visit this link for Energy Assistance
Oregon Energy Fund provides funds for energy assistance to 30+ partner agencies and nonprofits throughout Oregon. If you need help paying your electric bill, enter your county or zip code to find out who has energy assistance in your area and how to contact them.
https://www.oregonenergyfund.org/energy-assistance/
Insurance & Employment Resources
Helps small businesses that have a question or concern about state or local government. We are an independent voice for small business that speaks from an objective point of view.
consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing
CAWEM is a form of emergency coverage for individuals who would be otherwise be eligible for OHP, except for their immigration status. CAWEM covers immigrants dealing with emergency healthcare issues. Remember, children and pregnant adults don’t need immigration status to qualify for OHP programs. CAWEM emergency Medicaid covers most emergency conditions. Information on applying is provided below. CAWEM emergency Medicaid covers COVID-19 testing at the Emergency room and COVID-19 treatment. You can sign up for CAWEM the same ways as signing up for OHP. https://healthcare.oregon. gov/Pages/find-help.aspx
People without health insurance—including those with no insurance because they can’t afford private insurance and don’t have the immigration status to qualify for OHP can get free or reduced-price healthcare at county public health clinics and federally qualified health clinics. To find the closest clinic of this kind, go to THIS LINK.
Under the CARES Act, workers who lose their jobs will now receive an additional $600 per week on average on top of their traditional unemployment benefits for four months. The combined total will fully replace many workers’ lost wages.
oregon.gov/employ/unemployment/pages/
Starting March 18, 2020, if you have OHP, you are covered. You are covered even if you get a letter that says your OHP is closing or you no longer qualify. Your OHP benefits will not be closed.
oregon.gov/oha/HSD/OHP/Pages/ohp-covid-19.aspx
Workplace rights for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in Oregon.
youtube.com/embed/ZFvfK0W0n20
This free easy-to-understand guide on the ins and outs of medicare highlights coverage, costs, eligibility and enrollment information, along with answers to some frequently asked questions. retireguide.com/medicare/
Additional Resources: Veterans, Disabilities, Violence, Education
Serves individual veterans and veteran families. Veteran must be present in household. 503-280-4700
http://www.tprojects.org
https://www.tprojects.org/veteran-services/
Financial Beginnings was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2005 by now CEO Melody Bell. Financial Beginnings was launched to educate high school students about all aspects of personal finance. Financial Beginnings Oregon believes in strengthening communities through inclusive financial education. Their mission is to empower youth and adults to take control of their financial futures. They provide educational programs that incorporate all aspects of personal finance to give individuals the foundation they need to make informed financial decisions. https://finbegor.
The Social Services Division helps seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income residents of Clackamas County. https://www.clackamas.us/socialservices
Temporary assistance to Domestic Violence Survivors (TADVS)
971-673-7112 Child Abuse Hotline
503-652-5694 FAX Child Welfare
http://www.oregon.gov/dhs
http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/abuse/domestic/
503-731-3400 Main phone
503-794-0131 FAX
877-727-1655 Toll-free