RESOURCES​

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​Click the links below to jump to a section:
Services for Survivors
Financial Assistance
​Workers' Rights
Anti-Asian Racism
Mental Health During COVID-19
Multilingual Resources
​Other Resources

Services for Survivors

Despite the chaos of COVID-19, KAN-WIN and our community of advocates are striving to ensure important services remain available for survivors. Here's a summary of available help:
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  • Need to file an emergency order of protection? While many courts have announced limited closings, they are still hearing emergency order of protection cases. Each court's procedures on EOP hearings are different given social distancing measures, and we can help you figure out your options.
 
  • Need an emergency shelter? Domestic violence shelters are working at an unprecedented scale to ensure the provision of safe sheltering options for victims. Some are now able to send people to hotels. Call IL DV Helpline at 877-863-6338 to find a shelter space. We can also help you search for one.
 
  • Need transportation to get help? Transportation assistance is available through IL DV Helpline. We can also help you so please call us.
 
  • Need legal advice? KAN-WIN's May Legal Clinic will be held on Wednesday, May 13th at 10AM. We have attorneys who can speak to you regarding immigration, family law and protection order issues.
 
  • Need financial assistance? The domestic violence community is coming together to support survivors in their time of need. We will inform you of new options as soon as they become available.
 
  • Need food assistance? Click here to find a Cook County food pantry/bank nearest you.

Our crisis hotline is available 24/7 at 773-583-0880. Our staff are available 9am-5pm during weekdays at 847-299-1392. We are here to support you!

Financial Assistance

​CARES Act Economic Impact Payments
IRS website available in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Russian.

Under this act, the federal government will be providing financial assistance to some taxpayers through the form of direct payments of $1,200. The IRS will use the information on your 2019 or 2018 tax returns to either send you a direct deposit or mail you a check. These payments will be available for the rest of 2020.

  • This $1,200 payment will be sent to individuals making $75,000 or less. Married couples making $150,000 or less will receive $2,400, and will receive an additional $500 for each child age 16 or younger. In order for a household to receive this payment, EVERY member of the household must have a work-authorized Social Security number. The only exception is for members of the military, in which case only one spouse needs a work-authorized SSN.
  • Except for those on Social Security, you will need to file a tax return if you don’t usually file one in order to receive a payment. The IRS has not yet provided instructions on how to do so, but will update their website with this information.
  • If you are eligible to receive a payment but have not filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return, file as soon as possible in order to receive this payment. Make sure to include your direct deposit banking information on the return.

Unemployment Insurance (UI)
In order to receive any unemployment benefits, you must be work-authorized.

Typical Illinois State Unemployment Benefits
Who is eligible to receive UI in Illinois?
  • People who were laid off because their workplace closed due to COVID-19
  • People who can’t work because they have been diagnosed with COVID-19
  • People who can’t work because they have to take care of a spouse, parent, or child who has been diagnosed with COVID-19
  • People who can’t work because of the stay-at-home order
  • People who can’t work because they have to take care of children due to the school closings
How long can I receive state UI for?
  • Illinois gives people 26 weeks worth of UI. If you use up your 26 weeks or already have, you should be able to get an extra 13 weeks of UI under a new program called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).

Additional Unemployment Benefits
  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) gives up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to those who aren’t usually eligible for UI, including gig workers and self-employed workers. This program has not been implemented yet. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) will update their website when details are finalized.
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) gives an extra 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to people who have used up their 26 weeks of regular UI. IDES is currently finalizing the details of this process.
  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) gives people on UI and PUA an extra $600/week from March 29 to July 25.

Workers' Rights

If your workplace employs between 50-499 employees, you are entitled to these benefits. For self-employed workers or gig workers, you will receive a tax credit equivalent to the amount of sick leave.
  • You are entitled to 2 weeks of paid sick leave if you need to leave work due to one of these reasons:
    • Quarantine/isolation
    • Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
    • Taking care of someone in quarantine/isolation (in which case you’re only entitled to ⅔ of your normal pay)
    • Taking care of children who attend schools that have been closed for at least 5 days (in which case you’re only entitled to ⅔ of your normal pay)
  • If you need to take sick leave, your employer CANNOT require you to find a replacement worker or ask you to use other PTO (paid time off)
  • You are entitled to 3 months of paid family and medical leave equivalent to at least ⅔ of your normal pay. Family leave only applies to you if you have to leave work to take care of children whose schools have closed.

​Anti-Asian Racism


​If you have experienced any anti-Asian racism and feel comfortable sharing it, we encourage you to document your encounter here. Please know that you are not alone.

Mental Health During COVID-19

While living through a global pandemic and social isolation, it is normal to feel a lot of different emotions. You may fear for yourself and your family’s health; you may experience stress over financial troubles, job loss, or the effects of social distancing; you may be mourning a loved one. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, you are not alone, and KAN-WIN is here to help you through it. Keep reading to learn more about mental health in a pandemic and coping skills that can help. 
What are some ways dealing with a pandemic can affect our mental health?
  • Social distancing prevents us from seeing family and friends
  • Spending more time inside can have an impact on your mental health
  • Social media gives us a constant stream of bad news
  • Many are experiencing reduced hours or losing jobs, causing stress over financial difficulties
  • Experiencing fear for ourselves and others who may have to be put at risk at their job
  • Feeling powerless to do anything
What are safe ways to cope with these feelings?
  • Stay connected with family and friends through phone or video calls. If there’s someone you miss seeing, set up a regular time to chat with each other.
  • While going outside is restricted to essential trips only, you can still go on a walk outside. The CDC recommends everyone to wear a mask while in public, so wear one if possible, and keep a 6 foot distance from anyone you don’t live with. 
  • Take regular breaks from social media. Try putting your devices on “Do Not Disturb” and avoid using social media for a period of time. 
  • If you have Facebook, check for any local support groups that may exist. Some areas have created online groups for supporting local businesses, mutual aid requests, and more! We will update this page soon with a list of mutual aid resources. 
  • It’s okay not to be productive. Give yourself space to adjust to all these new challenges and rest if you need to. 
  • Remember that while we can’t control the actions of others, we can control our own actions. So do what you can to keep yourself safe and not transmit to others - by doing so you are saving lives.
  • We recognize that sometimes all the coping skills in the world can’t change material conditions that may be affecting our mental health; see our section on financial assistance for resources that can help. 
  • If you want to help others who are struggling, consider donating to our Covid-19 Survivor Fund. 

Multilingual Resources


​National Korean American Service & Education Consortium: English and Korean. 

​Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum: resources in 25+ Asian languages

Other Resources

We are so thankful for our wonderful partners who have rapidly put together amazing resources for our community:

​Apna Ghar’s Resource Page

​Asian American Advancing Justice-Chicago's Resource Page
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