It’s vitally important to support local businesses when times are tough.
In Lafayette, not only are we facing the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, we are facing a new oil crunch just as the region is emerging from the 2014 downturn. We all have a role to play in supporting our local businesses and their employees—who are our friends, families and neighbors. We encourage you to support your favorite local retailer, service provider, or other business over the coming weeks and months.
Find A Resource
Here are resources available to businesses and their employees. We will continue to update this list as we learn more.
Federal
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Millions of Americans have already received their Economic Impact Payments authorized by the CARES Act. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continues to calculate and automatically send the Payments to most eligible individuals, however some may have to provide additional information to the IRS to get their Payments. November 21 at 3 p.m. ET is the deadline to request your Economic Impact Payment.
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Local
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LEDA, One Acadiana, Acadiana Workforce Solutions, and other partners relaunched AcadianaOpportunity.com, a web portal that helps connect individuals seeking training or employment with resources. The portal includes an in-take form for workers who have lost their job due to COVID-19 to connect with a representative of Acadiana Workforce Solutions, who will determine their eligibility for grant funding that could help cover the cost of enrolling in training or certification classes. Youth, ages 16-24, can also apply for other grant funding intended to support paid work experience. Additionally, the portal lists relevant course offerings at SLCC, LSU Eunice, and UL Lafayette, as well as job assistance resources available through Acadiana Workforce Solutions, LEDA, and Louisiana Job Connection.
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Acadiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters is a humanitarian association of local community voluntary organizations in Acadiana.
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Online Resources available through Lafayette Public Library:
- Online Databases
- HomeworkLA.org: free 24/7 with live tutors to help prepare a resume or cover letter, proof either, and prepare for interview questions
- Lynda.com: brush up on software skills or learn new ones with online course
- Learning Express: entrance exam preparation including HiSET, GRE and MCAT
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LEDA has hosted the its online job board since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Job seekers can search local job postings by category.
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State
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Applying for Unemployment Benefits
The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s vision is to make Louisiana the best place in the country to get a job or grow a business, and our goal is to be the country's best workforce agency.
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Federal Housing Finance Agency
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and the Federal Home Loan Banks are taking steps to help people who have been impacted by the Coronavirus. If your ability to pay your mortgage is impacted, and your loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you may be eligible to delay making your monthly mortgage payments for a temporary period.
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Homework Louisiana provides free online tutoring, test prep, and job search assistance to eligible library card holders statewide.
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LA Wallet, the state of Louisiana's official digital driver's license, will be made available to residents free of charge (as of 3/18/20). The all-digital identification and driver's license app will suspend its fee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital license is valid for the life of the user’s license issuance. Once a user’s physical license expires, they must renew their license with the OMV and purchase a new digital license through LA Wallet.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Individuals impacted by COVID-19 may apply for assistance. DCFS will implement new provisions as outlined in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes additional food assistance for some families in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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