Emergency Assistance for South Sudanese Households Impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic

SSEF Community Members are particularly vulnerable to the economic impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Many work in the gig economy or in the hospitality sector. With travel bans, self-imposed quarantines, business shut downs of “non-essential services”, and school closures resulting in kids at home, Boston-area South Sudanese find themselves in precarious financial circumstances.

The following is SSEF’s response to the real and immediate threat of falling through the cracks because of the economic shutdown. Please consider contributing to SSEF’s Emergency Loan Fund. Your dollars will have a direct, meaningful impact on the lives of people in dire need right now.

STEP 1:

APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

• Information here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-unemployment-benefits

• Application here: https://uionline.detma.org/Claimant/Core/Login.ASPX

• SSEF has volunteers who are willing to walk you through the application for unemployment

STEP 2:

RENT ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM SSEF FOR FAMILIES

• Funds generously donated

• For families with children

• $500 paid directly to landlord

• Apply to SSEF, providing:

  • Address and contact information

  • Names, ages and school grade levels of children

  • Rent payment information

  • Documentation of applications for unemployment assistance and Axuda loan

STEP 3:

APPLY FOR AN AXUDA LOAN

• Interest-free loan of up to $600, with 12-month repayment

• Click here for more Information about Axuda
  Questions about this crowd-funding loan or ready to apply? E-mail Mary for our Sponsor Code.

• Click here to apply for an Axuda loan

STEP 4:

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE LOAN FOR HOUSEHOLDS

• Interest-free loan of up to $1,500 for households negatively impacted by pandemic

• Priority for households with children, but all South Sudanese households are eligible, subject to availability of funds

• Loans granted in the order in which SSEF receives the completed applications (again with the proviso that households with children will receive priority)

• Repayment terms: equal monthly payments for 12 months, starting in the month in which the Governor of Massachusetts ends the State of Emergency

• Click here to apply to SSEF, providing:

  • Address and contact information

  • Names, ages, and school grade levels of children, if any

  • Documentation of applications for unemployment assistance and Axuda loan

  • Explanation of negative economic impact of pandemic

  • Loan amount requested

• Once SSEF has allocated the available funds, further loans will be possible as households repay the existing loans