Cheshire Coronavirus Update: Financial Assistance Program Started

CHESHIRE, CT — Cheshire has launched a financial assistance program to help offset some of the immediate impacts felt by residents as a result of the new coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Monday. The “Cheshire COVID-19 Assistance Program” will serve as a means to provide financial assistance to community members that have been directly impacted by the virus, officials said.

“This program has been developed to prioritize assistance for households with existing marginal financial means and that have now lost a significant portion of their income as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health crisis,” according to a news release from Michelle Piccerillo, director of Cheshire Human Services. “To apply, a community member must complete and submit a brief online application. Applications will be processed in the order that they are received, and assistance will be granted to those eligible as long as there is funding available.”

No cash payments will be distributed, but assistance will be provided in the form of gift cards to the grocery store or payment made directly to utility companies, landlords, mortgage holders, medical providers, etc., according to Piccerillo.

Assistance will be provided based on household size as follows:

Household of 1: Maximum $150

Household of 2: Maximum $200

Household of 3: Maximum $300

Household of 4: Maximum $400

Household of 5 or more: Maximum $500

“This program is in addition to the general assistance programs currently provided by the Cheshire Human Services to Cheshire residents and those clients who currently receive general assistance benefits should not assume eligibility for this program,” Piccerillo said. “To be eligible, applicants must be a resident of Cheshire and their household must have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis either through the loss or reduction of employment, illness, or another change in circumstances.”

Residents in need of assistance as a result of the COVID-19 crisis can submit an online application here and the Human Services Department will contact them within two business days to schedule a telephone conference.

For more information, or for residents without internet access, call Cheshire Human Services at 203-271-6690.

Donations are being accepted to help support the program. Checks can be made out to Cheshire Human Services COVID-19 Assistance Program and mailed to Cheshire Human Services, 84 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT, 06410.

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