Many people in Bexar County are still living with the financial consequences of COVID-19 on top of any lingering physical effects.

The San Antonio Police Department and Crime Stoppers of San Antonio is seeking the public’s assistance to help identify a person involved in an aggravated robbery. The robbery occurred on Feb. 13 at a Valero gas station at 103 Bandera Road. Police said a Valero employee was working when he was confronted by an individual who pulled a gun and demanded money from the register. The suspect took the money and fled the scene, according to officials. If anyone has any information, please call 210-207-7579.

SAN ANTONIO – In the wake of last week’s winter storm that left South Texas residents dealing with storm-related legal issues, the State Bar Association and the San Antonio Bar Association are offering free legal assistance to those who qualify. “We anticipate we’ll be handling FEMA claims appeals, insurance claims denials, landlord-tenant issues, as well as contract issues for repair work,” said attorney David Evans, president of the San Antonio Bar Association. City of San Antonio launches call center, website to aid in recovery from weather crisisPerhaps the most complex area where legal assistance would be needed is with FEMA claims. He said the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid is the best option for assistance. The San Antonio Bar Association’s website is another place for help.

One of the most high-profile uses of that money, and other funding sources, is the city’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), which helps struggling residents pay their rent, mortgage and other bills. As of Wednesday, $64.8 million had been approved through the program, and city staff members have plans to keep it funded into March. In a briefing to city council members on Thursday, staff members said the city will receive $3.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the state as part of the Texas Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The city has also been notified it will get an additional $10.2 million in CDBG dollars through the CARES Act. City staff members recommend using $4.6 million for EHAP, which Assistant City Manager Lori Houston said could take the program into “most likely early March.”A full recommendation is expected in January to the Culture and Neighborhood Services Committee.

SAN ANTOBIO – As several federal assistance programs aimed at helping people affected by the economic slowdown come to an end this week, there is a fear at the San Antonio Food Bank that the need for assistance could grow. Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, said the number of people helped each week by the Food Bank doubled from 60,000 to 120,000 at the start of the economic shutdown in March. How San Antonio Food Bank became lifeline for South Texas during COVID-19 pandemicWith programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, unemployment insurance and a moratorium on evictions ending this week, Cooper is worried the demand for help may spike. On Monday, the San Antonio Food Bank met with several of its large financial supporters to go over its current inventory and demand. How well-positioned we will be in our inventory will be the question.”Another area where the food bank needs help is with volunteers.

SAN ANTONIO – The St. Mary’s University School of Law has launched a hotline for South Texas residents who are experiencing housing issues due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. “It’s really uncharted territory for people and something where they do need legal assistance," Fajardo said. “People aren’t even aware that there’s rental assistance available in both the city of San Antonio and in Bexar County to help them get caught back up on their rent. “Maybe one-third to a half of San Antonio properties are still under the moratorium, where they cannot be removed or evicted from their property," she said. The university said legal representatives will be able to share resource information about payment assistance and forms renters can fill out to represent themselves during eviction proceedings.