COVID Financial Assistance Evaluation Report

COVID-19 Financial Assistance Evaluation Report 3/1/2021

Monitoring and Evaluation Team Ulises Magallon, Garima Shiwakoti, Treecy Truc Nguyen MPH

Monitoring & Evaluation

Contents Program Overview ........................................................................................................................ 3 Program Evaluation Method ....................................................................................................... 5 Program Outcomes Evaluation ................................................................................................... 6 Findings Discussion....................................................................................................................... 7

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COVID-19 Financial Assistance Evaluation Report, 2021

Monitoring & Evaluation

Program Overview In March of 2020, many workers experienced their working conditions shift in an attempt to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. Although some workplaces were able to adjust to operate remotely, “essential” workers in industries like healthcare and retail had to continue to work inperson to provide crucial services. However, many individuals unexpectedly found themselves laid-off, and unemployment reached unprecedented highs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the United States’ unemployment increased sharply between March and April of 2020 to about fifteen percent1. The unemployment rate remained in the double digits up until August when it dropped to almost eight percent, and it decreased further to seven percent by December.

However, not everyone was impacted equally, with people of color having higher unemployment rates compared to Whites 2. As shown in table 1, Blacks, Latinos, and Asians had higher unemployment rates than Whites. Even in December, when the rates had decreased significantly for both Whites and Asians, the rates for Blacks and Latinos remained high.

Table 1. Unemployment Rates by Race/Ethnicity Compared to National Rate Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Asian

4.1

14.5

14.9

13.9

11.9

10.6

8.8

7.6

6.7

5.9

Black

6.8

16.7

16.7

15.3

14.4

12.8

12.0

10.8

10.3

9.9

Latino

6.0

18.9

17.6

14.5

12.7

10.5

10.3

8.8

8.4

9.3

White

3.9

14.1

12.3

10.1

9.2

7.4

7.0

6.0

5.9

6.0

National

4.4

14.8

13.3

11.1

10.2

8.4

7.8

6.9

6.7

6.7

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

To address the financial needs of the Fruitvale and East Oakland communities due to the impact of COVID-19, The Unity Council’s Financial Capabilities program distributed small grants: $200 for food and wellness needs, $500 for rental assistance, and $1,000 for 1

See U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data. https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000?amp%253bdata_tool=XGtable&output_view =data&include_graphs=true

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See U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Charts related to the latest "The Employment Situation" news release | More chart packages. https://www.bls.gov/charts/employmentsituation/civilian-unemployment-rate.htm 3

COVID-19 Financial Assistance Evaluation Report, 2021

Monitoring & Evaluation undocumented individuals. Clients were able to receive either the rental assistance, the food and wellness assistance, or both. The goal of this program was to provide immediate, one-time relief to individuals who had their wages reduced, or lost their employment because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the Financial Capabilities program was able to provide a total of $928,200 in financial assistance by the end of 2020, serving 1,522 clients. Below are demographic data of clients who received these grants: Chart 1.

Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity. Three-quarters (75.4%) of clients identified as Latino or Hispanic. The second largest population identified as Black, African American, or from African Descent (11.7%). The remaining clients identified as follows: American Indian, Indigenous, or Alaska Native 0.9%, Asian (Including South Asian and Southeast Asian) 4.8%, Middle Eastern or North African 0.5%, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 1.2%, White or from European Descent 2.2%, Multi-Racial/Ethnic 2.8%, and Other 0.2%. There is no race/ethnicity data for 3 (0.2%) clients.

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COVID-19 Financial Assistance Evaluation Report, 2021

Monitoring & Evaluation Chart 2.

Self-Reported Personal Monthly Income. Nearly two-thirds (62.4%) of clients reported a personal monthly income of 1,040.83 or less, 25.8% reported an income between $1,040.84 and $2,145.83, 6% reported an income between $2,1445.84 and $4,583.33, and 0.4% reported an income of $4,583.34 or more . There is no personal monthly income data for 82 (5.4%) clients.

Chart 3.

Self-Reported Employment Status. Over half (58.9%) of clients were unemployed, while 8.9 % were employed full-time, 23.7% were employed part-time, and 8.4% were self-employed. There is no employment status data for 2 (0.1%) clients.

Program Evaluation Method In order to measure outcomes, an exit survey was created and distributed to all clients who received the COVID-19 financial assistance. The exit survey was distributed through email 5

COVID-19 Financial Assistance Evaluation Report, 2021

Monitoring & Evaluation since the organization had to pivot to virtual services. It was emailed to clients twice in January, and we collected a total of 131 responses in both English and Spanish. An exit survey was chosen as the best method because it would best capture information about how receiving financial assistance impacted clients. To measure the outcomes, clients rated a list of statements using a scale ranging from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree”. Additional questions about their overall experience with staff and the service. Below are the outcomes measured through the survey: •

Outcome 1: Seventy percent (70%) of clients who complete the survey will report feeling less worried about their rent after receiving financial assistance.

•

Outcome 2: Seventy percent (70%) of clients who complete the survey will report feeling less worried about being able to afford groceries and/or other personal expenses after receiving financial assistance.

•

Outcome 3: Seventy percent (70%) of clients who complete the survey will report feeling supported by The Unity Council.

Program Outcomes Evaluation A majority of clients reported they had been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly seventy-five percent (75%) of clients reported the pandemic has made it harder to pay rent. Similarly, the pandemic has made it harder to cover other costs: about seventy-nine percent (79%) said it was harder to afford food, and seventy-eight percent (78%) said it was harder to afford wellness or personal expenses (such as, hygiene products, prescriptions, etc.).

However, receiving financial assistance made covering expenses easier. About sixty-five percent (65%) of clients said the financial assistance helped them pay one month’s rent and cover food costs, and sixty-four percent (64%) of clients said the financial assistance helped them cover wellness or personal expenses. Lastly, seventy-two percent (72%) of clients also reported feeling relieved after receiving financial assistant for either rent or food and wellness. Two clients wrote: "I am very grateful for the financial help for paying the rent! The attention and support of Gabriela Pingarron was very valuable!"

“Thanks to your support my landlord was willing to wait longer to pay my rent.”

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COVID-19 Financial Assistance Evaluation Report, 2021

Monitoring & Evaluation Additionally, clients reported having a positive experience overall with staff and service.

Ninety-five percent (95%) of clients reported the application process was simple and easy, and eighty-six percent (86%) said it was easy to get in contact with program staff if they had any questions. Eighty-nine percent (89%) stated the timeframe for receiving the assistance was reasonable and about ninety-four percent (94%) found it convenient to have received the financial assistant in a check. Overall, ninety-five percent (95%) reported feeling supported by The Unity Council’s services and staff, and nearly ninety-eight percent (98%) would recommend this program to others. However, the need for supportive services has not diminished, and the three most common types of additional services clients would find beneficial were additional financial assistance, free meals and groceries, and public benefits application assistance.

Although clients response rates was low (8.5%), 131 clients completed the survey in either English or Spanish. This is an incredible feat considering the survey was distributed through email, and many of our clients may not check their email regularly or may be unfamiliar with completing an online survey. Besides technology access and use, other factors contributing to the low response rate were many of the clients were already disengaged from our services, and staff did not have the capacity to follow-up with all the clients to make sure they completed the survey. With these factors in mind, it is important to prepare surveys beforehand, so they can be administered to clients when they receive the service or are exited from a program.

Findings Discussion Based on clients’ survey responses, the small grants helped them buffer the financial impact of the pandemic. Although a vast majority of clients who completed the survey reported the pandemic causing financial distress, many also were able to cover some of the costs of their needs with the financial assistance they received. This demonstrates the significant impact receiving this type of assistance can have on individuals and families experiencing economic distress as a result of the pandemic. However, one-time assistance like this service cannot address the needs of all individuals and families since the funding is finite. To help those who are financially struggling, The Unity Council must identify and secure funding to continue providing financial assistance because the economic impacts of the pandemic are going to be felt for years to come. Additionally, clients who completed the survey also indicated they wanted additional assistance, like groceries and assistance with public benefits enrollment. Since clients are facing 7

COVID-19 Financial Assistance Evaluation Report, 2021

Monitoring & Evaluation many barriers, it is crucial to assess their needs and offer wrap around services, whether they are internal or external referrals, to fully support clients.

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COVID-19 Financial Assistance Evaluation Report, 2021