period Sept. 19 – Nov. 14
The Department of Social and Health Services is pleased to announce that a new application for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund is open as of Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The fund provides at least $1,000 in cash assistance for immigrants living in Washington state.
What is the WA COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund 2022?
In 2020 and 2021, the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund provided financial assistance to 120,853 people who were impacted by the pandemic but ineligible to received federal economic stimulus funds or unemployment assistance due to their immigration status.
The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund is a community-driven program established by Governor Inslee with an initial $40 million in August 2020, and $22.5 million in December 2020. The Washington State Legislature continued to support the program by investing an additional $62.5 million in March 2021.
For the 2022-2023 biennium, DSHS received an additional $340 million from the Washington State Legislature to continue to support for Washington’s immigrant community. This fund will make available a final cash grant amount to individuals who are ineligible for other forms of assistance.
The agency’s goal is to get these resources into the hands of community members in a timely and thoughtful manner and has partnered with many different immigrant-led organizations to implement this fund effectively and safely. DSHS is partnering Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network and Washington Community Alliance to support communications, community engagement and outreach, and LiveStories will be administering the on-line application, screening applications and distributing grants.
2022-2023 Open Application
People can apply from Sept. 19 to Nov. 14, 2022. This nine-week, open application period is the longest of any of the fund’s previous application periods, which should ensure all eligible applicants have the opportunity to apply. Applicants can also work to complete the application process with 52 contracted organizations across the state to support outreach and application assistance.
People can apply by visiting immigrantreliefwa.org.
The application is available in English, Español, Chinese (中文), Korean 한국어 and Tagalog.
All approved applications will receive at least $1,000 between December 2022 and January 2023.
Eligibility: To receive financial assistance through this fund, applicants must:
- Live in Washington State.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, such as loss of employment or significant reduction in work hours, contracting the coronavirus or caring for a family member who contracted the coronavirus.
- Not be eligible to receive federal economic impact payments or unemployment insurance benefits or federal stimulus dollars due to the person’s immigration status.
Program Considerations:
- Applicants who have received this funds in the past are eligible to apply in this round of funding.
- All household members at least 18 years of age are eligible to apply and receive funds.
- All personally identifiable information is secure confidential.
To apply for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund, please visit
Home (immigrantreliefwa.org) or click here for the list of DSHS contracted community partners to get help on the application.