We’ve put together a list of organizations that may help with food, rent, childcare, mental and emotional health, and other support. The full list is available here. Please continue to check back. As we learn of additional resources, we will update the list.
#ThePlateFund was created to provide emergency bridge payments to restaurant workers until they received unemployment insurance and/or federal stimulus payments, and to workers who may not be eligible for government assistance due to immigration status or other issues. Open enrollment closed in order to ensure that we are reaching people who have the greatest need. All funds distributed to new applicants after Sunday April 26th will be made available exclusively through our community partners or using codes that applicants receive from their employers or former employers.
As long as you meet the eligibility criteria AND apply before Sunday, April 26th at 5 pm PT, you will receive financial assistance.
If you are an employee or former employee of a restaurant or food service company, please contact your owner or manager in order to find out if they are distributing codes.
#ThePlateFund is providing electronic codes to restaurant owners to distribute to affected workers who are in the greatest need. If you receive an electronic code, enter the code above and upload the required documentation.
If you are in this situation, please email us at info@theplatefund.com so we can work to connect you with additional resources.
Restaurant owners may apply for codes by emailing coderequests@theplatefund.com.
We are working closely with our community partners and restaurants to reach workers who have the greatest need. If your restaurant needs assistance, you may apply for codes by emailing coderequests@theplatefund.com.
Please email fund.support@uptogether.org. We have dedicated support staff for The Plate Fund at UpTogether who can work with you to resolve technical issues.
Examples of technical issues include problems connecting your bank account, an error message referencing “Stripe,” not being able to access your application status once submitted, etc.
To be eligible for The Plate Fund, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Examples of restaurant or food service establishment workers include dishwashers, cooks, servers, bartenders, food truck employees and cafeattendants. People already receiving government support should not apply so people more in need may access these emergency funds.
Applicants will be required to provide documentation to verify they live in King County, worked in a restaurant in King County and were laid off as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Applicants will be required to:
Any two sources that show your current address. Some examples could be: utility bills, cable bills, cell phone bills, a current paystub, insurance statements, etc.
You can upload a letter from your employer confirming your wages, employment date, and that your hours or employment have been affected by COVID-19.
Social Security numbers are not required.
We know that not everyone in our community has a bank account at this time. With you in mind, we created a partnership with the Seattle Credit Union. They offer a no-cost savings account which does not require a Social Security number and can be opened online with $5. To start a savings account today with Seattle Credit Union, please visit their website at https://www.seattlecu.com/savings-accounts and follow the steps to setting up an account.
Please know that while the Seattle Credit Union website asks for a Social Security number, you won't need one. Just continue to the next page where you can use your ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).
If you do not have access to $5 or don’t have the necessary technology to complete this, please email us at info@theplatefund.com and we will work with you on another solution.
We recognize a small percentage of restaurant workers do not have bank accounts. If you do not have a bank account, please contact The Plate Fund team at info@theplatefund.com, and we will share additional information about how to access emergency funds. We are also working to add functionality to provide payments via debit or gift cards in the coming weeks.
The Plate Fund is providing electronic codes to restaurant owners to distribute to affected workers who are in the greatest need. If you receive an electronic code, visit the website, enter the code and upload the required documentation.
UpTogether, a digital capital exchange platform that helps low-income people accelerate their economic mobility, will review and process applications. Payments will be disbursed based on the order in which they are received so long as applicants are eligible and submit all of the required documentation.
Yes, the application is also available in Spanish.
You will receive a link in your email once you submit an application. Please use that link to check the status of your application.
Applicants will receive an email confirming their approval from UpTogether.
Applications will be processed as fast as possible, however processing times may vary based on the volume of applications received.
Yes.
You will receive a link in the decision email you received. Please click on the link where reasons for certain types of denials can be provided. If you need additional information, please email fund.support@uptogether.org and be sure to include your confirmation number. Some of the common reasons why applications are denied include:
We would love your support to reach more members of our community! Please share your stories on social media using #theplatefund.