Emergency rental assistance is now available for Saint Paul residents.

Program funds help eligible renters with rent and utility bills dated on or after March 13, 2020. Qualifying renters are able to receive up to 15 months in total financial assistance. Don’t wait to apply for help! Renters who have applied for help through a COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent through June 1, 2022. If you need help paying rent or utility bills, explore your options today.

Learn more about the program

Saint Paul Public Schools COVID-19 Student and Family Guidelines

Students benefit from in-person learning, and safely returning to school in fall 2021 is a priority. SPPS will use MDH’s Best Practice Recommendations for COVID-19 Prevention in Schools for the 2021-22 School Year and CDC’s Schools and Child Care Programs: Plan, Prepare, and Respond as the guiding resources during the 2021-2022 school year. SPPS will also closely monitor community case rates of COVID-19 and community vaccination rates in their safe learning plan decisions. Although the recommendations specify K-12 guidance, SPPS will extend these recommendations to include all services offered birth to age 21.

Families should familiarize themselves with these guidelines, which are updated regularly and cover prevention strategies, health screening and monitoring, exclusion guidance, and the SPPS COVID-19 Reporting System.

SPPS COVID-19 Student and Family Guidelines

Workforce Resources

Dislocated Worker Program

The Dislocated Worker program can help people who have lost their job through no fault of their own return to work. Eligible people may qualify for the individual career planning and counseling, connection with employers who are hiring now, connection to education resources, and more. Visit CareerForceMN.com/dislocated-worker to learn more.

Jobs in Demand During COVID-19

Many employers are hiring right now during the COVID-19 pandemic⁠—and they want to connect with people looking for work right away. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has created a resource that provides information about the top 30 jobs in demand now in Minnesota and wage range information for each of those jobs, along with a link to additional information about wages, educational requirements, daily tasks, a short video and more for each job.

Career Labs

In partnership with the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County has launched six new community Career Labs to support COVID-19 job seekers. Career Labs provide services for COVID-19 impacted job seekers by reservation. All sites accord with Public Health guidelines for COVID-19. Learn more at ramseycounty.us/careerlabs and call 651-793-1699 to make a reservation today. 

Unemployment Benefits

If you are unemployed or have your hours reduced, please apply for unemployment benefits by going online to www.uimn.org. Please use the www.uimn.org website to submit your application, because this is the most efficient way to serve applicants. The website can accept applications Monday - Friday 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. We are working to add Sunday hours.

Health Insurance

  • MNsure Health Insurance. You may qualify for MNsure's special enrollment period (SEP) if you lost or will lose "minimum essential coverage" because of any of the following: 

    • You or your dependent loses employer-sponsored coverage (includes end of continuation coverage such as COBRA and retiree coverage)
    • There’s been a change to a dependent’s status, such as turning 26 years old and losing coverage through a parent’s plan
    • An employer ends your coverage
    • You or your spouse lose employer-sponsored coverage when you lose or leave a job
    • You've reached the end of your non-calendar year plan
    • You lose coverage in Medical Assistance (MA) or MinnesotaCare
    • You lose other government-sponsored coverage such as most types of TRICARE
  • Community Health Centers. If you don’t have a health care provider or are uninsured, contact a federally qualified Community Health Center.  

Transportation

  • Unemployment insurance is now accepted as certification by Metro Transit's Transit Assistance Program (TAP). The Transit Assistance Program (TAP)  provides a reduced fare pass on a Go-To Card for low-income residents. It allows customers to use a bus or train for just $1 per ride – even during rush hour – with a 2½ hour transfer.
  • Minnesotans who lost their driver’s license or ID card, or had it stolen, can now apply for a duplicate card while Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DPS-DVS) exam stations are closed. There are two options:
    • Deputy registrar and driver’s license agent offices can accept duplicate driver’s license and ID card applications that do not require a photo at their office. No face-to-face transactions are available, so offices are offering this in a way where you do not physically enter the building.
    • If a local office isn’t offering this service, DPS-DVS can send a photo receipt and letter to serve as a temporary replacement for a lost driver’s license or ID card while exam stations are closed to Minnesotans who submit the request.
    • More information, including instructions, is on the DVS COVID-19 FAQ webpage.

Additional Resources

  • Looking for online training to build your career skills? Sign up for a Saint Paul Public Library e-card and access free, online business, design, and tech courses through Lynda.com at sppl.org/staying-in. 
  • Call Saint Paul Public Library's Open Lab line at Call 651-212-5390 to get one-to-one technology help, including assistance with emailing, internet, computer programs like Word, PowerPoint, and Google docs, and more. 
  • The Twin Cities Hospitality and Events Workers’ Relief Fund supports workers who have lost income due to business closures and event cancellations related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more at https://www.twincitieshospitalityfund.org/.

Housing Resources

If you are in need of a safe place to stay because you are fleeing an unsafe environment at home, call the MN Day One Crisis Hotline at 1-866-223-1111 to speak with an advocate who can guide you to a service provider and safe place. If you are in an emergency, call 911.

City of Saint Paul Housing Resources

  • Families First Housing Pilot provides eligible families $300/month in rent assistance for three years. Families will receive additional help such as career readiness training, advocacy and mediation help, and housing mentorship. Eligible families must rent in Saint Paul, not receiving other housing assistance, have at least one pre-K to 3rd grader enrolled at a participating school, and meet income/spending limits. Learn more and apply at stpaul.gov/familiesfirst.
  • Renter's Rights during COVID-19. The City of Saint Paul wants residents to know their renter's rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has created frequently asked questions to help.
  • Rental rehabilitation loan program: Receive assistance to preserve existing affordable rental housing in Saint Paul.

Ramsey County

Get help with rent, mortgage, and utility payments with Ramsey County's Emergency Assistance program. You may be concerned about interruptions in your income and paying your bills. Ramsey County can help with Emergency Assistance (EA) and Emergency General Assistance (EGA).

  • Emergency Assistance helps adults with children, and pregnant women.
  • Emergency General Assistance helps adults without children.
  • EA and EGA help with shelter, such as past due rent, a damage deposit, or to stop foreclosure. EA and EGA also help pay for utilities, when there is threat of disconnection. Utilities include electricity, heat, and water.
  • In general, if you have not had EA/EGA help in the last 12 months, and you do not have enough resources to resolve your crisis, you may be eligible. You must show you have enough income to pay bills moving forward.If you ARE receiving public assistance (SNAP, healthcare, or cash assistance through Ramsey County), call your caseworker or 651-266-4444 for an application. There is a short application for clients with active cases.
  • If you ARE NOT not receiving public assistance, you can apply for EA/EGA online at applymn.dhs.mn.gov.
  • For questions about eligibility or application status, call the EA/EGA hotline at 651-266-4884.

Find more information about Ramsey County's housing services and support.

Community Resources

  • Virtual Home Energy Squad. Whether you are at home working, learning, or just staying safe, the additional time spent inside can mean higher energy bills. The Home Energy Squad, provided by CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy, is here to help with a new free service: the Virtual HES Visit. We’ll take customers on a home walk-through via video chat, and together we'll help find ways to reduce energy bills while keeping indoor air clean and healthy. Learn more about the Virtual HES Visit. Sign up online or call 651-328-6220.
  • American Indian Family Center - Thinica Owichakiyapi Thipi: 651-793-3803
  • Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES): 612-746-3550
  • Face to Face - Youth Homelessness Project: 651-772-9644
  • Lutheran Social Services - StreetWorks Collaborative: 651-354-3345
  • Minnesota Community Care: 651-266-1290
  • Neighborhood House: 651-793-7340
  • YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities:763-493-3052

Family and Childcare Resources

Nutrition Assistance

  • 2021-2022 Saint Paul Public Schools Meal Service: SPPS' meal services updates. Whether students are learning at school or at home, breakfast and lunch will continue to be free for all Saint Paul youth.
  • Free suppers and snacks for Saint Paul youth available September 9, 2021 - June 10, 2022. Through a partnership with Youthprise, free suppers and snacks for youth 18 years of age and under available are available at select recreation center locations.
  • Free Meals for Kids App. Families and kids can find and access free meals at nearly 400 schools and other sites across Minnesota using the Free Meals for Kids mobile app. Learn more at hungerimpactpartners.org.
  • Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP): Families can apply for cash emergency and food (SNAP) assistance at http://applymn.dhs.mn.gov. Before applying, you can see if you are eligible for ApplyMN programs at http://mn.bridgetobenefits.org.
  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a supplemental food, nutrition and breastfeeding program that helps eligible pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health continues to offer WIC services to eligible families with children up to age five. Please call 651-266-1300 to apply for WIC.

Childcare

  • Essential Kids Care Program. Free childcare will be provided by Saint Paul Community Education for children ages 5-12 of health workers and emergency personnel who live within the Saint Paul School District.
  • Think Small provides resources and information to childcare providers and parents.

Virtual Activities

Special Needs

Local

  • The University of Minnesota Extension Family Resiliency Educators are offering free webinars to support families and workers who are impacted by COVID-19. Topics include  adjusting to suddenly reduced income, budgeting 101, COVID-19 scams, and more.
  • Saint Paul Public Library launched a new Virtual Musical Residency with multi-talented Saint Paul resident Lucy Michelle on Facebook. Lucy will be offering original performances beginning tomorrow, Friday, May 15 with a four-song set. Following weeks will feature more unique performances as her online residency continues. She’ll also be sharing some of her favorite book and music selections available from our library collection.
  • Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is partnering up with Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham to offer a home workout directly from his home to yours. C.J. demonstrates drills and skills you can do from your living room or yard. Watch the video.
  • Como Zoo Park Zoo Live! While we all #StayAtHomeMN and practice social distancing, check this space for challenging, fun learning opportunities. Then, tune in Monday – Friday at 1:30pm on Como Zoo's Facebook page for special LIVE zookeeper talks and gardener talks. 
  • Saint Paul Public Library launches Little Learners@Home featuring online programming throughout the week to keep you and your family engaged and connected through stories, songs, movement and more! Learn more at sppl.org/little-learners and check back weekly for new content.
  • Story time at MN Children’s Museum
  • MN Science Museum – Learn from Home
  • Saint Paul Port Authority Working River Workbook for 3rd Graders
  • Take a Trip to a Virtual Zoo: MN Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, Shedd Aquarium, etc

Historical Sites and Museums

  • The Smithsonian Museum offers virtual tours of their current and permanent exhibits, and viewers can even take a look at a few of the past exhibits. Users can easily navigate between adjoining rooms of the museum and click on the camera icons for a closer look. 

  • NASA is offering a slew of STEM activities for grades K- 4: Activities range from building foam rockets to solving space station emoji puzzles. Parents can also download coloring sheets and books for younger kids.
  • Discovery Channel: Discovery Education offers free virtual field trips complete with companion guides and hands-on learning activities. For example, kids can explore Polar Bears And The Tundra or take a look behind the scenes of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
  • Take a trip to Mars: Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover. The site is in the middle of an update, but the 360 mode offers a great digital view. 

Doodling, Color Books, Games, Videos:

Last Edited: November 8, 2021