PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The city is providing cash assistance to residents who spent time in the county lock-up during the pandemic. The 2021 COVID Re-entry Payment Program provides $500 in electronic cash assistance to individuals released from Philadelphia jails since March 1, 2020.
"If you have a PP number and you spent a day on state road, you qualify for the program," says Cheryl Harris, a resource coordinator with JEVS Human Services' Looking Forward program. The group offers job training for returning citizens and is helping people apply for the assistance.
"We ask that you have identification. We ask that you have banking information, whether it's a Cash App or debit card,” she says.
The cash is meant to help those recently released who may have been struggling to reintegrate into society during the pandemic and can be used at the participant's discretion.
"We try to meet people where they are, and we try to provide them with all the services that they may need," says Jeff Abramowitz, executive director of JEVS Human Services. "Sometimes it’s a bus pass. Sometimes it's boots. Sometimes it diapers for their children. It’s all about getting people on their feet."
Abramowitz says have they received dozens of calls since the program launched March 31. He says people can apply online or come to JEVS office at 1526 Cecil B. Moore Avenue for help in applying.
After the application is submitted, the individual must wait to hear back from the city, which will then forward the money.
"I still have to manage to pay my rent, take care of my children and live,"
says Nashae Smith, who was locked up on State Road from October to December last year, when the Community Bail Fund bailed her out.
The mother of three says it has been tough for her, and the money will help.
"The 500 will all go towards my rent," she says.