What you need to know about COVID-19

Immigrant Eligibility for Benefits

Protecting Immigrant Families has a great explainer for immigrant eligibility for COVID-19 related benefits, including health access, cash assistance, food assistance, and unemployment here.

Philadelphia Utilities Updates

  • Water: Philadelphia water is safe to drink, the virus will not affect the water supply. Customers do not need to buy bottled water. PDW continues to test 24/7 for quality. They will not shut off anyone’s water for the foreseeable future. An interest free emergency help loan is available for those who need it.
  • PGW: Late fees on bills are suspended and PGW will not shut off services for non-payment for the foreseeable future. If you need to apply for LIHEAP (help paying for your energy bill), text WARM to 75308
  • PECO: PECO has suspended services disconnections  and will waive late fees for the foreseeable future.
  • Comcast Xfinity: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers for a limited time. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.

Immigration Processing Updates

USCIS: Many USCIS field offices, application support centers, and asylum offices resumed non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. More information can be found here.

Food Pantry Resources

  • If you have these symptoms, please contact your medical provider:
    • Fever
    • Dry cough
    • Fatigue (Fatigue means so tired that it is hard to get out of bed)

COVID-19 usually does not cause a runny nose or sore throat. If you do not have symptoms, it is not recommended that you be tested.
If you feel you have symptoms, call your medical provider to set up a test.

If you do not have a previous medical provider, contact a City Health Center. The City is not charging for COVID-19 testing.

If you need to go to an emergency room, go. If you have broken bones, chest pain, or shortness of breath, please do proceed to an emergency room.

For other NON URGENT medical needs or appointments, call your medical provider and ask what they recommend.all your medical provider to set up a test.

G'mar chatima tova.

HIAS Pennsylvania's office will be closed on Monday, September 25th, in observance of Yom Kippur. 

TONIGHT (4/20) - Join us ONLINE at the 2023 Golden Door Awards!

Join us ONLINE at 6:45PM TONIGHT, Thursday, April 20th, for HIAS PA's 2023 Golden Door Awards: United for Immigrants!

Happy Passover from HIAS Pennsylvania!HIAS PA is closed in observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover

HIAS Pennsylvania will be closed in observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover from 1PM on Wednesday, April 5th through Friday, April 7th, and on Wednesday, April 12th and Thursday, April 13th.

Join us at the 2023 Golden Door Awards!United for Immigrants

The Golden Door Awards is HIAS Pennsylvania's annual fundraiser. Your generous support helps us serve low-income immigrants from all over the world as they build new lives in our community.

Last chance to be the light for immigrants this year!It only takes one spark to light an entire room.

Your support today means your immigrant neighbors are able to make a home for themselves and thrive in our community.

Building closed until further noticeHIAS PA remains open!

HIAS PA’s physical offices at 600 Chestnut Street are CLOSED until further notice due to a burst pipe in the building.

Our organization remains open, and HIAS PA staff continue to work remotely at this time.

Please call (215) 832-0900 with any questions.

Building closed until further noticeHIAS PA remains open!

HIAS PA’s physical offices at 600 Chestnut Street are CLOSED until further notice due to a burst pipe in the building.

Our organization remains open, and HIAS PA staff continue to work remotely at this time.

Please call (215) 832-0900 with any questions.

Unleash generosity this Giving Tuesday!

This Giving Tuesday, you can change an immigrant's life!


This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to be part of a worldwide effort to give back to those in need in our community and help immigrants and refugees begin new lives here in Pennsylvania!

Join us ONLINE at 12:45PM TODAY at the Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) Volunteer Appreciation Awards!

Thanking our volunteers, who, in times of crisis and calm, constantly step up to “repair the world” by supporting immigrants and refugees.

Join us at the Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) Volunteer Appreciation Awards!

The in-person Tikkun Olam Awards are sold out!

Join us online TOMORROW, Wednesday, October 19th, at 12:45PM at the virtual Tikkun Olam Awards!


Thanking our volunteers, who, in times of crisis and calm, constantly step up to “repair the world” by supporting immigrants and refugees.

TONIGHT: Join us at the table!Join us for Thankful Together!

Thankful Together, formerly known as Refugee Thanksgiving, is happening TONIGHT at 6PM!

Register here to join us tonight: https://hiaspa1.wpengine.com/event/thankful-together-2021/

Celebrate our volunteers who make this all possible!Click here at 11:45AM to join our Annual Meeting!

Click here to join our virtual Annual Meeting!

The Annual Meeting starts at noon, but join us at 11:45AM for an informal chat before the event!

POSTPONED! Speed Advocacy: Afghanistan

Today's Speed Advocacy: Afghanistan Facebook Live event has been postponed due to a worldwide Facebook outage. We will update you as soon as possible about rescheduling the event.

Join us for Thankful TogetherWatch performances from cultural groups and immigrants from around Philadelphia.
Give immigrants a brighter future

Make 2021 better for immigrants and refugees by ensuring they have the support to recover from anti-immigrant policies and the pandemic.

Double your donation this Giving Tuesday!All gifts will be matched up to a total of $11,000

Help every immigrant achieve their greatest potential by ensuring there are no obstacles like a lack of legal status or language access stand in their way.