CLEVELAND — Congress has passed a new COVID-19 relief bill, which includes much-needed help for struggling families across Ohio. 

“The fact of the matter is that they were playing politics with the lives of so many people. It’s irresponsible and deeply disappointing,” said Augie Napoli, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Cleveland.

What You Need To Know

  • In Cleveland, the United Way says it’s a relief to see help on the way, but there’s frustration that it took so long

  • The stimulus bill includes $25 billion for rent and utility assistance, as well as the extension of the eviction moratorium to Jan. 31

  • The United Way says it's seen a significant increase in calls to it’s 2-1-1 HelpLink, asking for help with rent and utility assistance

Napoli doesn’t hide his disappointment with Congress.

He believes it took too long to pass a coronavirus stimulus bill.

“The politic thing to say would be to thank the elected officials for passing this or at least getting it going, but you know, I really can’t," Napoli said. “Well, it was very frustrating, and if you or I were frustrated, imagine the people that were clinging to wonder if they were going to be evicted?”

Napoli, though, is relieved there’s some help on the way.

Especially the $25 billion in the stimulus package for rent and utility assistance, as well as the extension of the eviction moratorium to Jan. 31.

Napoli says the United Way has started to see a significant increase in calls to its 2-1-1 HelpLink.

“Situational poverty comes as a result of a crisis like a pandemic. That it’s created a situation where you’re thrown into it. That’s what we’re experiencing now. So, we have an entire other population of people, who have not ever accessed the human services delivery system before. They never had to. Now we’re faced with doing that.”

The new stimulus deal also includes $600 checks to citizens, a second round of the paycheck protection program, expansion of unemployment insurance, and food assistance.

It's help Napoli says will be useful.

But he said it’s going to take a major effort to recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic, even after COVID.

“Let’s hope that is something that happens coming out of COVID-19. But it won’t happen without an awful lot of effort by many people and institutions and organizations, including government to make that happen.”

If you need of assistance, you can simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone to be connected with the United Way Help Center. You will be connected with a professional who can help you review your options for assistance.