COVID-19 RESOURCE GUIDE

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Food Assistance 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in New York City

SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families. The benefits can be used to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores.

Apply Online: https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/

Languages Online: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Haitian-Creole, Russian

Additional Info: No negative actions are currently being taken on cases. SNAP recipients can also use their benefits to purchase groceries online. SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay delivery fees. Be sure to confirm an online store delivers to your home address. 

Community Organization Assisting with SNAP

For general questions or to check if you may be eligible for SNAP:

Bronx – Part of the Solution (718) 220-4892 ext. 113 (English & Spanish)
Brooklyn–RiseBoro (347) 628-8393 (English/Spanish)
Manhattan – CPC (212) 431-7800 (Cantonese/Mandarin/English)
Queens– Hunger Free NYC (646) 863-7122; (646) 350-0353 (English / Spanish)
Staten Island – CHASI (929) 314-6405 (English/Yoruba); (718) 873-3530 (English/Spanish)
Citywide– Hunger Free NYC – (646) 953-3513 (Cantonese/Mandarin/English) 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in other parts of New York State

Apply Online- https://mybenefits.ny.gov 

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)

WIC provides breastfeeding support, nutritious foods, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and children up to age five.

Locate the nearest WIC office

Additional Info: There are flexibilities within WIC regulations concerning physical presence and certification periods. 

Free Meals for Children

New York City Department of Education is committed to making three free meals available daily for all NYC children during the pandemic at over +400 sites across the city!

Day: Monday- Friday
Time: 7:30am-1:30pm
Find a location
Additional Info: All meals may be picked up at the same time. No registration or ID required. Parents and guardians may pick up meals for their children. 

NYC Food Delivery Assistance

The City of New York is providing assistance to New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis by delivering meals to those who cannot access food themselves.

Web: https://www.nyc.gov/getfood

Additional Information: This assistance is intended for individuals and families who meet all of the following criteria as a result of the COVID-19 emergency: 

  • No members of the household can go out and get food because they are at increased medical risk or homebound 
  • No neighbors or family members can go out and get food for you 
  • Do not receive meal assistance from other providers (incl. Meals on Wheels or God’s Love We Deliver); and 
  • You are unable to afford meal delivery or grocery delivery 

Food Pantry and Soup Kitchens

FeedNYC
NYC networks of Emergency Food Programs.
Web: https://www.feednyc.org/efp-directory
Additional Info: Information is continuously updated.
Learn more about United Way of New York City’s Food Programs. 

Plentiful
Plentiful is a free, easy-to-use reservation system for food pantries and the people they serve. Use Plentiful to find pantries and get the food you need, without waiting in line.
Web: https://www.plentifulapp.com/
Email: support@plentifulapp.com or clients@plentifulapp.com
Additional Info: Information is continuously updated. 

Citymeals on Wheels
Citymeals on Wheels provides a continuous lifeline of nourishing meals and vital companionship to our homebound elderly neighbors.
Web: https://www.citymeals.org/get-meals
Additional Info: 

  • Must be 60 years of age or older 
  • Must be physically or mentally incapacitated and in need of some assistance. 
  • Must be unable to prepare nutritious meals or have no one to do so for you. 

USDA National Hunger Hotline
The National Hunger Clearinghouse collects and distributes information about programs that address the immediate and long-term needs of struggling families and individuals.
Phone: Eng: 1.866.348.6437; Spa:1.877.842.6273
Hours: 7 am-10 pm
Languages: English & Spanish
Additional Info: The hotline is a resource for individuals and families seeking information on how to obtain food. The National Hunger Hotline staff connects callers with emergency food providers in their community, government assistance programs, and various social services. 

COVID-19 Food Assistance Resources

https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ dsny/contact/services/COVID- 19FoodAssistance.shtml

Free Meals are available for ALL New Yorkers in more than 400 meal hubs

Mon-Fri – https://www.schools.nyc.gov/ freemeals

Confidentially self-report COVID19 status and symptoms

nyc.gov/cv19engagementportal

 

If you see price increases for items in short supply due to COVID-19:

Report it by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov/dcwp

 

New webpage full of resources for New Yorkers with Disabilities during COVID-19. 

For information on Food/Supply Delivery, Social Security/Medicaid Benefits, Home Healthcare Services and more. Visit: on.nyc.gov/2UN4350

 

Affected by COVID19? Find out what benefits you may qualify for and more.

Go to https://access.nyc.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/

 

All New York City playgrounds are closed until further notice.

 

Mental Health Support New Yorkers Can Access While Staying Home

This guide identifies resources for all New Yorkers as well as services tailored to the needs of aging New Yorkers, veterans, students and young people, and people harmed by violence, crime or abuse. All services are free to New Yorkers, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status. Go to https://thrivenyc. cityofnewyork.us/mental_ health_support_while_home

 

Let’s work together to put an end to bias incidents and hate stemming from #COVID19 stigma.

Call 311 to report any COVID19 related discrimination to the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Call 911 if you are a victim of or witness a hate crime.

 

NYCHA information for residents struggling with rent hardships

Go to https://nychajournal.nyc/information-about-coronavirus/

Rent and Utility Assistance 

Housing Court Answer
Call the hotline for a screening. If you qualify, they will tell you which charities have funds, what requirements they have, and how to contact them. They can also explain how to apply for a one-shot deal.
Hotline: 212-962-4795
Web: http://housingcourtanswers.org/
Open: Monday – Friday
Hours: 9am-5pm
Additional Info: Starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all pending housing court cases are suspended. There will be no evictions. NYCHA hearings and HPD Section 8 hearings are suspended. The housing courts will be open for illegal lockout cases, post evictions, and EMERGENCY HP Actions. 

Free WiFi Services 

Spectrum
Web: https://www.spectrum.com/
Phone: 844-579-3743; 844-488-8395
Additional Info: Households with students K–12 or university students can sign up for a new Charter Spectrum internet account to get the first two months of internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps for free. Installation fees will be waived for those who qualify for the offer. 

Altice Advantage -Optimum
Web: https://www.optimum.net/
Phone: 855.200.9522
Additional Info: Offering 60 days of free internet service for households with K–12 or college students. Internet speeds are up to 30 Mbps if you do not already have access to a home internet plan. 

Regional Enrichment Centers 

Enrichment centers were created to take care of children of the essential workers. Staffed by DOE employees and community-based organization partners, the centers will provide children with three daily hot meals, remote learning time with their teachers, activities like art, music, and physical education, and social and emotional support.
Enrollment Form
Instructions
Open: Monday – Friday
Hours: 7:30am – 6pm 

Con Edison 

Web: https://www.coned.com/en
Phone: 800-752-6633
Hours: 24/7
Additional Info: Con-ed will not shut off service for non-payment and will be waiving new late-payment fees. All walk-in centers are closed. 

National Grid

Covers clients in Brooklyn, Queens & Staten island
Web: https://www.nationalgridus.com/NY-Home/Default.aspx
Phone: 718-643-4050
Hours: 8 am-8 pm
Additional Info: National Grid has temporarily suspended collections-related activities, including service disconnections, to lessen any financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These policies will remain in effect at least until the end of April when they will evaluate their continued need. Customers looking for more information on payment assistance programs, in general, can click here. 

Census 

The response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services. It’s quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete; It’s safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected.
Web: https://2020census.gov/en.html
Additional Info: Individuals may receive calls after they complete the census to verify certain information. The Census Bureau uses two contact centers: one in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and the other in Tucson, Arizona. 

(812) 218-3144, Jeffersonville Contact Center; (520) 798-4152, Tucson Contact Center 

NYS New American Hotline 

The New Americans hotline is a toll-free, multi-lingual hotline. The hotline provides live immigration assistance in more than 200 languages. Anyone can call the hotline for information and referrals, regardless of citizenship or documented status.
Phone: 800-566-7636
Open: Monday- Friday
Hours: 9am-8pm 

Fare Fairs 

Participating New York City residents receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares. Pay-Per-Ride, 7-Day (Weekly) and 30-Day (Monthly) Unlimited Ride options are all available.
Apply Online: https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/fairfares
Find out if you may be eligible
Additional Info: All walk-in offices are closed. Currently, only option is to apply online. Once approved, the metrocard will be mail within 2 – 3 weeks. 

Unemployment Insurance Benefit 

Unemployment insurance provides unemployment benefits to eligible unemployed workers. 

New York State

Apply Online: https://applications.labor.ny.gov/IndividualReg/#
Phone: 888.469.7365
Instructions
Languages Online: English & Spanish
Language Assistance over the phone: Chinese, Russian, Italian, Haitian-Creole, Bengali, Korean, Polish, English & Spanish
Additional Info: NYS is waiving the 7-Day period for UIB for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines. 

New Jersey

Apply Online: https://secure.dol.state.nj.us/sso/XUI/?realm=njcc#register/
Phone: North NJ:201.601.4100; Central NJ: 732.761.2020; South NJ: 856.507.2340; Out of state: 888.795.6672
Instructions
Languages Online: English
Language Assistance over the phone: English & Spanish