Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

Please continue to check this page for updated resources to assist businesses and our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial assistance programs:

• The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Treasury to encourage tenants and landlords to take advantage of the Emergency Rental Assistance program (ERA) available through the American Rescue Plan Act. The rental assistance under ERA will help cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs to keep residents in their homes.
  • If you are experiencing challenges paying your energy bills, reach out to Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc,  1672 Northwest Blvd., Sibley IA. 712-754-2573
  • Flyer
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has a new website that allows renters and landlords to find information on rental assistance in their area: consumerfinance.gov/renthelp. The CFPB website offers resources in English and Spanish to help renters and landlords access additional financial assistance related to housing costs.
  • Renters: The Emergency Rental Assistance program was created to help renters cover their housing-related costs and stay in stable housing during the pandemic.
    The rental aid is distributed through your state and local governments.
  • Landlords: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many landlords are getting reduced rental income and finding it difficult to make ends meet. Rental assistance programs can help you and your tenants cover missed payments and underpayments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Small Business Tax Credit Programs - The American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits, particularly the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit, to small businesses. INFO.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) - 
  • The SBA recently announced several changes to its COVID 19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. COVID 19 EIDL Loans are available for a loan term of 30 years at 3.75% fixed interest for small businesses and $2.75% fixed for private non-profit organizations.
  • The deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic EIDL is December 31, 2021.
  • INFO: https://sba.gov/disaster 
• Assistance Programs for Renters and Homeowners - visit  IowaHousingRecovery.com.
  • The Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program will provide eligible COVID-19 impacted renters with rent and/or utility assistance for a total of up to 12 months.
  • The Iowa Homeowner Eviction Prevention Program provides eligible COVID-19 impacted homeowners at imminent risk of eviction with mortgage assistance for up to four months, with a maximum assistance per household of $3,600.
• Paycheck Protection Program ended on May 31, 2021. Existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. 
• COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Osceola Regional Health Center:

• Updates from Osceola Community Health Services
• Avera New Normal Business Toolkit
• Osceola County (IA) Mental Health Coalition statement 
• Avera COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines

State of Iowa:

• Iowa COVID-19 Vaccine Web Page
• COVID-19 Response: When to Quarantine For Business, Education, and Child Care Settings
• Iowa COVID-19 website
• Iowa Department of Public Health website

More Business Resources:

Resources for non-profits:

• Resources for Nonprofit Organizations from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
  
• Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19

Other resources:

1. COVID Recovery Iowa - free virtual counseling and assistance
2. Call 211 or 1-800-244-7431 if you have COVID-19 related questions (available 24/7)
3. Iowa Concern Hotline: 800-447-1985. 
4. Alliant Energy Energy Assistance 
5. COVID-19 Multi-Lingual Hotline: 1-877-558-2609. 
6. Iowa Legal Aid: 2020 Coronavirus Outbreak: What you need to know
7. Child Care Guidance in Response to COVID-19 from Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral - call (877) 216-8481.