Drop boxes for mail-in ballots will be available for residents at five select municipal buildings in Lehigh County. On Thursday, September 17th, 2020, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled that drop boxes will be allowed for the upcoming 2020 General Election. As a result, the Lehigh County Election Board finalized that five boxes will be available at the following locations.

 Lehigh County COVID-19 Response Hub 

• This useful site provides a full breakdown of cases, reports, symptoms, and local resources pertaining to COVID-19 in Lehigh County.  

   Emergency Management Updates for COVID-19

  Mental Health Resources during the COVID-19 Crisis

• Healthcare Resources and Information regarding COVID-19
  • A complete list of Healthcare, Food, Shelter, and Childcare resources. 
  • The Department of Mental Health Homepage

CARES Act Funding and Grants

 CARES Rent Relief Program (RRP)

The CARES Rental Relief Program (RRP) will begin to accept applications for housing aid starting July 6th. The $175 million dollar program is an extension of the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), and will provide financial assistance for struggling renters. Deadline to apply is September 30th, 2020. 

PROGRAM UPDATE: Please be aware that the authority to accept and process rental assistance requests pursuant to Act 24 of 2020 expired on September 30, 2020. At this time Lehigh County and its agents (HAO, Conference of Churches and Catholic Charities) lack the authority to accept new applications AFTER September 30, 2020. However, based upon on-going legislative initiatives occurring in the Pennsylvania legislature, PHFA anticipates that authority for COVID related rental assistance will be reenacted by the General Assembly. Upon reenactment of authority, PHFA and its agents (Lehigh County)  will start accepting applications again. Please check back on the PHFA  and Lehigh County websites regularly to see if applications for assistance are reopened. PHFA will also send media notices if reauthorization occurs.

 If you previously submitted an application electronically or via the United States postal service with a post date of September 30, 2020 or earlier, we will continue to process your application. 

• Instructions on How To Apply

 Lehigh County CARES Rent Assistance Program

In addition to the CARES Rent Relief Program, Lehigh County residents can seek assistance with rent repayment by contacting the following agencies:

• New Bethany Ministries -610.691.5602 x213
• Catholic Charities - Contact Tom Miller at 610.435.1541, Tmiller@allentowndiocese.org (Catholic Charities also administers the CARES Rent Relief Program)
• For low- to moderate-income households who feel that they are being illegally evicted or foreclosed upon, please contact North Penn Legal Services at (610) 317-8757 for free advice, referrals, and advocacy.
• For residents who are 14 days or less away from losing their residence and have either a Notice to Quit or a Lockout Order/Notice, or are currently homeless ,call 211 to be connected to the Coordinated Entry Referral System; or visit Lehigh Conference of Churches:
  • 1031 West Linden Street, Allentown, Monday to Thursday 9-11 am and 1-3 pm
  • 740 East Fourth Street, First Floor, Bethlehem, call for hours at 610.419.8282

COVID-19 Help Websites

• Apply for WIC: call 1-800-942-9467
• Home Heating Help: http://on.pa.gov/liheap
• Vote by Mail Ballot: http://votespa.com/applymailballot
• Report Price Gouging: pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov
• Get Tax Answers: http://revenue-pa.custhelp.com
• File for Unemployment: http://bit.ly/3a2qarw
• Talk Mental Health: text pa to 741-741
• Apply for Medicaid: http://on.pa.gov/compass
• Apply for SNAP: http://on.pa.gov/compass
• Credit/Mortgage/Rent advice: http://on.pa.gov/2jb8uyp
• Learn about School Closures: http://education.pa.gov/covid19
• Access Driver Services: http://dmv.pa.gov/online-services
• Find Professional License Services: https://www.pals.pa.gov/
• Receive text alerts in PA: http://on.pa.gov/alertpa