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Unemployed restaurant, hotel workers can get $500 to help pay bills

CHARLOTTE — The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. In North Carolina alone, 18,000 restaurants were forced to close their dining rooms under the stay-at-home order, which means all of those workers are out of work and in need of money.

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The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), launched a relief fund to provide fast access to cash for restaurant and hotel workers immediately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal of the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund is to provide qualified applicants with $500 to help with the immediate expenses faced by many who have suddenly found themselves without work.

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If you’re in the hospitality industry and need help, you can apply here.

On the site, you can also donate to the fund, as their goal is to raise $1 million to get into the hands of unemployed hospitality workers.

The NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund is open for any NC-based hospitality employees experiencing significant financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each applicant will be eligible to receive up to $500 in assistance, and determinations for the awards will be based on the level of demonstrated need, the number of years worked in the hospitality industry, and employer’s verification. Applications will be reviewed and with a goal of awarding funds to qualified recipients as soon as possible.