If you are affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, here are Puerto Rico-based resources available to you right now. This guide keeps things simple: manage cash flow, secure food and health coverage, keep your utilities on, and protect your housing.
NOTE: This information is gathered from public internet sources. Programs change; always click through, confirm details, and beware of scams (no fees to apply for PAN, Medicaid, Unemployment Insurance, housing, or 2-1-1). If something looks off, call the official numbers on the linked sites to verify before sharing personal info. This is not legal, financial, or life advice; seek licensed professionals for help.
🕐 What to do first (10-minute plan)
- Cash flow triage: File or reopen your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim through the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH) online portal or in person. Check for Programa de Asistencia por Desempleo (Unemployment Assistance) and other federal emergency relief programs at trabajo.pr.gov.
- Food & health coverage: Apply for Programa de Asistencia Nutricional (PAN) — Puerto Rico’s SNAP equivalent — through the Administración de Desarrollo Socioeconómico de la Familia (ADSEF). Enroll or renew Plan Vital (Medicaid) through the Administración de Seguros de Salud (ASES).
- Keep the lights and water on: Contact Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica (PREPA) and Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (PRASA) for hardship and payment relief programs. Check LIHEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) through ADSEF or your local municipality.
- Housing stability: Apply for rental and homeownership help through the Departamento de la Vivienda (PR Housing Department) and HUD Puerto Rico.
- One-stop referrals: Call 2-1-1 Puerto Rico or visit 211pr.org for food, shelter, and legal resources.
🔗 Links & Resources (Puerto Rico)
Income & Jobs
Departamento del Trabajo y Recursos Humanos (DTRH):
🔗 https://www.trabajo.pr.gov/
Unemployment Insurance Portal:
🔗 https://desempleo.trabajo.pr.gov/
Job Search and Workforce Training:
🔗 https://employ.pr.gov/
Food Access
Programa de Asistencia Nutricional (PAN):
🔗 https://www.adsef.pr.gov/
Apply for PAN Benefits:
🔗 https://www.serviciosenlinea.gobierno.pr/
WIC (Women, Infants & Children):
🔗 https://www.salud.gov.pr/Pages/WIC.aspx
Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico:
🔗 https://www.bancodealimentospr.org/
Health Coverage
Plan Vital (Medicaid):
🔗 https://www.planvitalpr.com/
Administración de Seguros de Salud (ASES):
🔗 https://www.ases.pr.gov/
Department of Health Puerto Rico:
🔗 https://www.salud.gov.pr/
Heat, Utilities & Weatherization
Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica (PREPA):
🔗 https://www.aeepr.com/
Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (PRASA):
🔗 https://www.acueductospr.com/
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance):
🔗 https://www.adsef.pr.gov/
Community Energy Efficiency Programs:
🔗 https://www.vivienda.pr.gov/programas
Housing
Departamento de la Vivienda:
🔗 https://www.vivienda.pr.gov/
HUD Puerto Rico:
🔗 https://www.hud.gov/states/puerto_rico
CDBG-DR and Emergency Rental Assistance:
🔗 https://cdbg-dr.pr.gov/
Legal Help
Servicios Legales de Puerto Rico:
🔗 https://www.servicioslegales.org/
Fundación Fondo de Acceso a la Justicia:
🔗 https://www.fondodeaccesoalajusticia.org/
Pro Bono Program (Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Puerto Rico):
🔗 https://www.capr.org/
Disability Rights Puerto Rico:
🔗 https://www.drcpr.org/
Crafted by JobsInMyState.com in support of fellow Americans.