Kitsap County COVID-19 Resources and Information

Testing is available regardless of health insurance status. A medical appointment is not required for testing. Advance registration and an appointment are required.

To download a printable flyer with community testing site information, click here.

Medical volunteers needed for future community-based COVID vaccination operations

Volunteer opportunity: COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Center

 Need Help by Phone?

• If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, or how the virus is spread, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press # from 6 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. Please note that this call center cannot access COVID-19 testing results. For testing inquiries or results, please contact your health care provider.

• You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211211 to receive information and updates wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

• Call 911 only for life-threatening emergencies. Emergency response is available 24/7.

• Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page for hotlines, including domestic violence, suicide, and mental health.        

 Health Information and COVID-19 Data

KITSAP COUNTY

• Kitsap Public Health District - COVID-19

WASHINGTON STATE

• Washington Department of Health - 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

• Washington State Coronavirus Response

FEDERAL

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Coronavirus (COVID-19)

HEALTH INSURANCE

• Washington Insurance Commissioner - Coronavirus and Health Insurance for consumers, insurers, and medical providers. 

• Free or low-cost Apple Health is available year-round from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

 Get Help - Assistance & Resources for You and Your Family - Mortgage, Rental, Food, Mental Health, Caregiving, Childcare

KITSAP RESOURCE GUIDE

The Kitsap Public Health District maintains a resource guide with information on where to seek help and support. View the guide here.

The Kitsap County Department of Human Services also maintains a resource site here.

RENTAL AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE

FOOD ASSISTANCE

Meals on Wheels Kitsap

Kitsap County Food Banks

North Kitsap Fishline (North Kitsap/Poulsbo)

Sharenet (Kingston)

Central Kitsap Food Bank

Bremerton Food Line

St. Vincent de Paul (Bremerton)

Salvation Army (Bremerton)

South Kitsap Helpline (Port Orchard)

All local school districts offer free grab and go meals to any child 18 and under (in some cases special education students age 21 and under also qualify). 

Check your local school district for instructions.

• Central Kitsap School District

• North Kitsap School District

• South Kitsap School District

• Bremerton School District

• Bainbridge Island School District

Also,

• Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program

• Find additional local food assistance programs at the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page.

• DSHS is sending emergency supplements to people who get Basic Food (EBT). If you got Basic Food in March, you’ll get more benefits to bring your March amount up to the maximum for your household size. Read the Basic Food Emergency Supplement FAQor learn more from DSHS.

MENTAL HEALTH, CRISIS HOTLINES, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE

The Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page has a list of free 24-hour hotlines that can help.

UTILITIES, INTERNET, MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE

• The Washington State Department of Commerce also has rental and energy assistance available for households that qualify for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
  

• For households residing in Housing Kitsap units, contact Housing Kitsap at 360-535-6100, HousingKitsap@HousingKitsap.org or visit HousingKitsap.org.

• To find out if you qualify for rental or energy assistance funds, contact the Kitsap Housing Solutions Center, 360-473-2035, HSC@kcr.org or visit kcr.org.

• In Washington, all energy, landline phone, and water providers are prohibited from disconnecting residential customers for non-payment (except at the request of the customer); refusing to reconnect any residential customer who has been disconnected due to nonpayment; and charging fees for late repayment or reconnection of these services. 
  

• The Sewer Utility is temporarily suspending all late penalties and placement of liens related to non-payment of monthly sewer service due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Resolution does not relieve a utility customer from the obligation to pay for sewer services.

• PSE has launched a Crisis Affected Customer Assistance Program to help pay for energy bills for those impacted by the coronavirus. Eligible households can receive up to $1000 if members are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work due to COVID-19. For income and eligibility requirements, visit the PSE bill payment page.

• City of Bremerton offers temporary rental support and eviction protection for lost income or job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Residents must live within Bremerton boundaries to be eligible.

• The Federal Housing Finance Agency has guidance on available mortgage assistance programs.

• Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Cascade Natural Gas will keep utility services on and are waiving late fees.

• City of Bremerton water and sewer service will not be shutoff.

• City of Poulsbo will not shutoff utilities due to nonpayment.
  

• City of Bainbridge Island will not shutoff water and sewer service due to nonpayment and will not assess late fees.

• Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers.

• Xfinity is offering free WiFi hotspots to anyone in the community who needs them, including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers.

CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING

Free childcare for families of healthcare workers and emergency responders may be available through local school districts. Contact your local school district for information.

• Central Kitsap School District

• North Kitsap School District

• South Kitsap School District

• Bremerton School District

• Bainbridge Island School District

Kitsap Community Resources offers childhood early learning services to families of first responders and medical personnel. Email earlylearning@kcr.org or call 360-473-2075.

The state’s Families, Friends and Neighbor program includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, elders, older siblings, friends, neighbors and others who help families by providing child care. Visit the website or call 866-482-4325 for more information.

Visit the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page for more local childcare options.

GROCERY SERVICES - DELIVERY AND SPECIAL HOURS

Most grocery stores have special at-risk customer shopping hours. Contact your local store directly to ask about these hours.

There are several local groups offering assistance with shopping and other errands. For more information, see the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page.

GARBAGE SERVICES

Kitsap County waste disposal and recycling facilities have resumed normal schedules with restrictions. Curbside collection services continue as normal. Contact the service provider in your area to subscribe or learn about services.

OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVER RESOURCES

• Washington State has a list of resources for older adults (60+).

• Kitsap County Aging and Long-Term Care office can help you find resources for older adults and caregivers .

• Washington Aging and Long-Term Support Administration provides resources for older adults, people who are deaf/hard of hearing, and their friends and families.

• Washington Department of Veterans Affairs provides frequent COVID-19 updates for family members and representatives of residents living in Veterans Homes.

• Kitsap County Department of Human Services administers the Veterans Assistance Fund for veterans in need. The money comes from a small portion of property taxes and is dedicated to providing assistance to veterans and their families.

• The Department of Social and Health Services is offering new resources during the COVID-19 response for people with loved ones within a DSHS owned, operated, or community facility. These resources help people get information or guidance about their family member. Read the full news release.
  

 Businesses and Worker Resources

LOCAL RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

• During the Stay Home, Stay Healthy closures, Kitsap chambers of commerce rallied to support local businesses in not only strengthening their resiliency but also implementing new and creative strategies to stay afloat while supporting their employees. Read their letter to the community.

• The local chambers of commerce recently compiled a Back to Business Toolkit that offers a variety of resources for successfully reopening. 
  

• The Kitsap Public Health District has printable signs and information sheets for businesses. 

• Kitsap Economic Development Alliance offers a weekly webinar for Kitsap business leaders and partners and other resources for Kitsap businesses.
  

• Our neighbors at King County offer useful resources for businesses to help keep employees and the public safe.
  

The U.S. Small Business Association provides coronavirus relief funding options.

Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) is a federal program that adds $300 for each week the program remains federally funded (en Español). If you receive unemployment benefits for certain weeks and you are unemployed or working fewer hours due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, you may be eligible for these benefits. The LWA program has a limited budget, so the length of time it's available depends on how quickly all participating states use up the federal funds. Employment Security Department will start processing payments of $300 to eligible claimants for this new program on Monday, Sept. 21. Payments will be retroactive for all weeks for which the claimant was eligible, and for which funding is available from the federal government. Upon the processing date, eligible claimants will receive the funds as soon as their bank processes the payment. Refer to the Employment Security Department website for details.

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

WorkSource Kitsap, located at 3120 NW Randall Way, is part of a statewide partnership of state and local agencies that provides an array of no cost employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Kitsap County.

During the Governor's Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery Covid Response Plan, customers can access services by calling 360-516-1001 and selecting "option 7" to schedule an appointment to connect with a staff member answering calls M - F 8:00 a.m. -4:45 p.m. or email: EmployKitsap@esd.wa.gov  

WorkSource staff can help with researching careers, job search, connecting with special programs such as Trade Adjustment Assistance, Veteran services, Training Programs supported by WIOA funding for Dislocated Workers, and Training Programs for Adults.

While not called the unemployment office, as a parner of the American Job Center Network, WorkSource is referred to as a "Career One-Stop " and helps with basic unemployment questions, offering resources to assist unemployed workers. Unemployment Claims and Questions can be addressed by calling 800-318-6022 or at ESD.wa.gov.

Business Support for Employees 

WorkSource is a partnership of organizations, including the Washington State Employment Security Department, and committed to developing a workforce with the skills businesses need to make connections to grow and sustain:

•Workforce planning

•Labor market data

•Online recruitment tools at WorkSourceWA.com

•Staffing resources, including job fairs and hiring events

•Tax incentives

•Worker training

•Layoff aversion and/or assistance.

WorkSource services are no cost services to employers, thanks to careful stewardship of public funding and leveraged resources.

To get personalized help with your business/talent needs, contact WorkSource at 360-516-1001 option 4 or email businesskitsap@esd.wa.gov to connect with a staff member answering calls Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

• How to accurately and quickly file for unemployment benefits
  
  
• WorkFirst is Washington's temporary cash assistance program.
  
  
• Some Washingtonians may apply for the Disaster Cash Assistance Program. The assistance is available to all Washington families and people without children who meet the income and resource limits of the program.
  

ASK A QUESTION   

• Business owners and operators can fill out this form to ask Washington State questions about financial help or other state assistance for businesses.

• Businesses that still have questions about their status can contact the Kitsap Public Health District’s Liaison Officer at KPHD-LOFR@kitsappublichealth.org.

  
  

WASHINGTON STATE RESOURCES

• Visit the Safe Start page to read available plans and guidance for reopening certain industries.
  

• Department of Health Mask and Face Coverings guidance and resources and frequently asked questions.
  

• Which mask for which task? Guidance from Washington State Labor & Industries on when to use face coverings and respirators.
  

• Association of Washington Businesses Rebound and Recovery PPE Marketplace connects businesses with manufacturers who supply PPE, providing the opportunity to purchase equipment for employers and their employees so businesses can open safely.
  

• Find coronavirus resources for Washington businesses and workers, including eviction protection, loans, unemployment benefits, CARES Act, paid leave, taxes, insurance, federal paycheck protection, debt relief, and more. 
  

• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued COVID-specific guidance for the grocery and retail industry and general guidance for workplaces.

• Washington state offers additional resources for businesses through its Business Liaisons program and the Rebound and Recovery program which offers resources for personal protection equipment (PPE).
  

• The Washington Retail Association offers a retail Special COVID-19 Resource Guide and a Retail COVID Safety Operation Plan from the Washington Retailers Association.

• Read Washington's Business & Workers weekly update for businesses and workers navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
  

The state Economic Resiliency Team collaborates with the Association of Washington Business to provides a weekly webinars on COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Resilience.

 Nonprofits & Homeless Service Provider Resources

• Kitsap County Human Services maintains a resource page for local homeless service providers.
  

• Kitsap County Homelessness Program with resources and information;
  

• Washington Department of Commerce provides grants and guidance for homeless service providers.

• Washington State maintains a list of coronavirus resources for Washington nonprofits, businesses, and workers, including information about disaster assistance loans.

• Find additional nonprofit resources on the Kitsap Community Foundation's Kitsap Cares page.

 Important Closures

• The Kitsap County Courthose is open normal hours. The Administration Building is open with limited services from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Thursday, and 9 AM to noon on Friday. Many services are available online at Kitsap County government services. The Public Works/Human Resources Building and Givens Community Center remain closed.

• All branches of Kitsap Regional Library will be open for limited, express in-building services on April 5, 2021. Visit the Reopening Plan for more details. For information about COVID-19, click here.
  

• Kitsap County Parks COVID-19 Updates

 Transportation

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES

View COVID-19 Updates from Washington State Ferries

KITSAP TRANSIT

Starting on Monday, May 4, until further notice, Kitsap Transit will require all workers, drivers and passengers to wear face coverings. 

View Kitsap Transit updates.

 Other Languages

• Have more questions about COVID-19? Call the Washington State hotline: 1-800-525-0127. For interpretative services, press # when they answer and say your language. (Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) For questions about your own health, COVID-19 testing, or testing results, please contact your health care provider.

• El Distrito de Salud Pública de Kitsap ha creado una nueva página de información COVID-19 en Español. La página incluye estadísticas locales de COVID-19, hojas informativas y enlaces a recursos adicionales.

• View coronavirus information in 26+ languages

• ¿Tiene alguna pregunta sobre el coronavirus? Llame al 1-800-525-0127 o envíe un mensaje de texto al 211-211.

• El nuevo Virus Corona (COVID-19) - Departamento de Salud del estado de Washington

• BeinestarWA - Una comunicación del Departamento de Salud del estado de Washington

• Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454

• Esta pagina contiene informacion y enlaces para programas y servicios que pueden ser util para los residentes impactados por COVID-19 (coronavirus): https://www.bremertonwa.gov/1193/COVID-19-Recursos-Comunitarios

 Cities and Tribes of Kitsap County

City residents and tribal members can find additional resources and information using the links below.

City of Bremerton: View coronavirus information.

City of Port Orchard: View coronavirus information.

City of Poulsbo: View coronavirus information.

City of Bainbridge Island: View coronavirus information.

Suquamish Tribe: View coronavirus information.

Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe: View coronavirus information.

 About this page        

This page is designed to help Kitsap County residents find government information and assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. It is maintained by the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center and updated daily with new resources. Kitsap EOC includes members from Kitsap Public Health District, Kitsap County Emergency Management, Kitsap 911, Law Enforcement, and Kitsap Fire Chiefs Association.