Application period closes on: February 15, 2021
Help for low-income workers in bars, restaurants, hotels, and motels
The City of Seattle has partnered with Wellspring Family Services to provide one-time cash assistance to help meet the basic needs of workers in the hospitality industry impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Who is Eligible?
The Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund serves low-income, hospitality workers who live and work in Seattle and have lost their jobs or experienced a pay reduction due to employment changes and business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To meet income qualifications, households must make 60% or less of area median income (AMI) which is:
Family Size
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| $50,160 | $57,360 | $64,500 | $71,640 | $77,400 | $83,160 | $88,860 | $94,620 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must live in Seattle
- Employed or lost employment due to COVID in Seattle
- Presently work or worked in Hospitality in Seattle
- Household income at or below 60% AMI (area median income) in Seattle
The application period opens Monday, January 11, 2021, and closes on Monday, February 15th, 2021 at 11:59 PM. You can submit your application at any time during this period. Late applications will not be accepted.
Due to limited funds, we are unable to serve everyone. Some eligible applicants might not receive financial support.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), “disaster relief” benefits, such as this program, will not be considered in determining whether an individual is a public charge. You can also read this USCIS Public Charge Fact Sheet for more information. If you have questions about your immigration status and/or use of benefits, you should speak with an immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.
If you are a lawful permanent resident/green card holder, receiving financial aid from the Seattle COVID-19 Hospitality Relief Fund will not impact your ability to become a U.S. citizen. It will also not impact the ability of a lawful permanent resident/green card holder family member to become a U.S. citizen. If you have questions about your immigration status and/or use of benefits, you should speak with an immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.
Wellspring Family Services is responsible for collecting the personal information you voluntarily submit on the online application for the Seattle COVID-19 Hospitality Relief Fund. To help prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, Wellspring Family Services has established appropriate procedures to safeguard and secure the information they collect. They do not voluntarily share your data with government entities, including the City of Seattle.
We are only able to offer the application through the online portal.
Eligible applicants are only able to receive a one-time payment.
Wellspring expects to have checks out by May 1st but could be sooner.
Each family should submit one application for that family.
Each adult should submit one application for themselves.
Yes. Children should be included in your application, if you are eligible, as per the criteria listed in Question #1.
Eligible applicants without permanent housing should still apply. Wellspring is prepared to guide you to what is the best way to get this cash assistance to you. Please confirm this on your application to better serve you.
If your household submits multiple applications by mistake, Wellspring Family Services will be able to identify that multiple applications from the same household were submitted and will review the application that conveys the higher need. They may also contact applicants via phone or text if they detect application issues.
