COVID-19 Community Resources     

Aug 24, 2020

Click the links below to connect with New York coronavirus (COVID-19) support resources.

General COVID-19 Resources

• New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
• Long Island Essential Workers Hotline: 1-516-281-0202
• There are more than 800 COVID-19 test sites statewide. Find a site near you.
• Do you know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19? If so, you may receive a phone call from a contact tracer. Contact tracing―why it's important to answer the phone.
• NYC tenant updates: tenants impacted by COVID-19
• Stay up to date with the latest NYC developments: NYC COVID-19 Engagement Portal
• NY loosens restrictions in phases. Learn how to gather safely during phase 2 and beyond.
• COVID-19 continues to spread even while businesses open. Learn how to safely dine out.

Unemployment and Financial Assistance:

• Self-register online for assistance at ACCESS HRA to manage benefits. Note: All in-person HRA visits have been canceled. Recertifications have been postponed. No negative action will be taken due to recertification.
• Medicaid Renewal
• SNAP (Food Stamps)
• Cash Assistance
• Emergency one-time assistance to prevent eviction or restore utilities
• Self-register online for assistance with the NY Department of Labor to apply for benefits, including:
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): supplements those who may not qualify for traditional unemployment (i.e., self-employed people, farmers, independent contractors). Check eligibility for PUA through DOL.
• Traditional Unemployment Benefits lasting 26 weeks. Calculate your weekly unemployment benefit.
• Paid Family Leave: for companies with more than 500 employees, paid family leave is expanded during quarantine. Submit a form for paid family leave/disability.

Childcare and Education

• Essential workers in Suffolk County can apply for childcare scholarships (Suffolk County).
• The National Association of School Psychologists offers a variety of resources for returning to school and special education
• Parenting from home is challenging. Find everything, from diaper banks to field trip ideas, at NYS CCF Family Resources during COVID-19.
• Balancing work and childcare is all about routine. Tips to work from home while parenting during COVID-19.
• Balancing caring for yourself and your child is stressful: read the Child Mind Institute’s parental guide.
• The Department of Education offers students Internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning. Devices are free and offered for use to those most in need, but must be returned. Request a remote learning device.
• EarlyLearn and Headstart programs for low-income families with children under six years old have transitioned to remote learning. Follow reopening timelines here.

Food Access

• Food hubs offering “grab and go” meals through NYC Schools are available to all New Yorkers; no ID required. Separate pick-up times scheduled for children/families and adults. Kosher and halal options are available. Find a "grab and go" meal.
• Get NYC food distribution sites on one map: “grab and go” meals, food pantries, and other food pick-up locations. Comprehensive map of food distribution sites.
• Families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch receive Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). P-EBT is automatically transferred to a SNAP or CBIC card.
• Free, fresh produce available to residents of underserved neighborhoods:
• City Harvest Mobile Markets for NYC-area residents
• Find a mobile market or food distribution center through City Harvest NYC map

Housing Legal/Technical Assistance

• Governor Cuomo issued an eviction freeze banning late fees and allowing use of security deposits as rental payment for financially stressed individuals (effective until 8/20/2020). Be sure you know your eviction rights.
• Rent freezing is available to people over 62 years old or who have a disability and earn less than $50,000 per year. Find out if you qualify for rent freezing.

Mental Health Resources

Supporting Others’ Mental Health

• Unsure how to support someone who is grieving? Tips for helping others grieve during COVID-19 (OMH).
• Caring for a child suffering from mental illness symptoms? The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a free online course to support you and your family on a recovery journey.  NAMI Basics Course for parents and caregivers.
• Concerned a young adult might be suffering from mental illness? Recognize symptoms of mental illness and start a conversation.

Stress and Grief Management

• OMH Emotional Support Helpline: 1-844-863-9314. Get free and confidential support to manage increased anxiety, stress, depression, and loneliness due to COVID-19, 7 days per week, 8am–10pm.
• Free meditation and mindfulness through Headspace
• It’s normal to feel increased stress. Get tips to manage stress during COVID-19.
• Feeling frustrated and angry? You’re not alone. Learn how to maintain your cool under stress from the Child Mind Institute.
• Many of us have lost loved ones. Loss impacts our well-being and is important to recognize. Learn tips to cope with grief.
• The COVID-19 crisis could have a lasting impact on your mental health. See the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health guidebook for info.
• Meditation and mindfulness are available through a Westchester COVID-19 mental health recorded webinar.
• Online bereavement groups are available with Catholic Charities online bereavement group (English/Spanish).

Substance Use

• Social isolation, loneliness, and insecurity affect substance use disorder recovery. A Spanish webinar on SUD recovery during pandemics is available (English/Portuguese).
• Concerned a loved one suffers from substance use disorder? Get the SAMSA guide on starting a conversation.

Crisis Support

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Nassau County Residents: 24/7 Behavioral Health Helpline 1-516-227-8255
• Suffolk County Residents 24/7 (DASH): 1-631-952-3333
• Text 741741 to connect with a crisis support counselor: Crisis Text Line 24/7
• Traumatic events impact family, work, and finances. Read this self-help guide about dealing with trauma

Domestic Violence

• Quarantine can feel stifling. Get tips about when staying home isn’t the safest plan.
• To safely plan and get general support call:
• NYC’s 24/7 domestic violence hotline: 1-800-621-4673
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
  Advocates are available 24/7 to talk to anyone who is experiencing domestic violence, looking for information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
• Violence Intervention Program Hotline (Spanish and English): 1-800-664-5880
• For those who prefer online messaging (chat), Safe Horizons offers the SafeChat confidential chat system.