VIRTUAL MEETING PLATFORM:  We will be using Zoom for prayer meetings and other church gatherings. So, please download the Zoom app in advance so that you are Zoom ready for upcoming meetings and virtual gatherings.

COVID-19 RESOURCE LIST (Last Updated on 4/2/20)

To stay up to date with the latest information, we encourage you to visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's site.

For real-time updates by the city, text COVID to 692-692 for updates in English or text COVIDESP to 692-692 for updates in Spanish. 

TESTING: Book an appointment by calling 7189185700 or the Health Department Coronavirus hotline 1-888-364-3065

NEW NYC COVID-19 ENGAGEMENT PORTAL:

Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms? Come in contact with someone who has? Register on NYC’s new Engagement Portal. Your info won’t be shared with anyone.

• Register your symptoms: https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/
• Spread the word: https://twitter.com/nycgov/status/1245381513539211265

HOUSING

• Starting March 16 evictions are halted for 90 days
• If struggling to pay rent you may be entitled to a rent reduction click here
• Mortgage Payment Relief: Effective 3/19/2020, Governor Cuomo has announced that he will direct banks to waive “mortgage payments for 90 days for borrowers who face financial hardship such as losing their job.”   Families should check with their financial institution before stopping mortgage payments. For more information visit: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/.
• For more information of Tenant and homeowner rights click here

FOOD

• The NYC DOE is now providing three free meals daily to all New Yorkers. All three meals can be picked up at the same time from 7:30am-1:30pm.  See here for details.
• Hour Children Food Pantry is open for Grab & Go pantry food.  See here for days and hours open.
• Invisible Hands Deliver provides free delivery of supplies or groceries for those most at risk. https://www.invisiblehandsdeliver.com/
• Find you closest food pantry https://portal.311.nyc.gov/site-finder/
• LIC Relief COVID-19 - https://www.facebook.com/licrelief/
• Free Food for those in need delivery service: https://qns.com/story/2020/03/26/freshdirect-to-direct-free-food-to-those-in-need-with-operation-5-borough-food-drive/?mc_cid=8c179895ba&mc_eid=cbc0ae4b33

EMPLOYMENT

• NYC is seeking NY State-certified healthcare workers to support healthcare facilities in need. Visit NYC.gov/helpnow to volunteer. Healthcare providers can also request healthcare workers with specific skills to support their operations. Info: NYC.gov/helpnow.
• Know your rights:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/11cOlPvfLuvkEEh_WtiQSHVcVzU6EOpmpBWX0s0ff_nc/edit?usp=sharing
• If let go from your job the 7 day waiting period for unemployment assistance has been waived | Online Services For Individuals  OR New York State Department of Labor
• Businesses with fewer than 100 employees, who have seen sales decrease by 25% or more, will be eligible for NYC Small Business Continuity Fund, which will provide zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.
• Guidance for jobseekers during COVID-19 Guidance for Jobseekers Impacted Due to COVID-19 - SBS
• You have the right to use safe and sick leave to care for yourself or anyone you consider family. Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s website or labor and employment laws  
• New Paid Leave for COVID-19:  See here.
• Employees: Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
• Employer: Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
• The Employee Retention Grant Program is available to NYC businesses with one to four employees that can demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of COVID-19. Eligible businesses will receive a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll for two months. Businesses can access up to $27,000.  

SENIORS:

• Senior centers are closed and have been converted into feeding centers where seniors can pick up meals. Here is an up to date list: https://www.manhattanbp.nyc.gov/
• For people age 60 and older, the NYC Department for the Aging provides access to home-delivered meals. A case manager/social worker can visit your home to provide in-home care, such as assistance with household chores, personal care, and referrals to additional resources. 

EDUCATION:

• If your child does not have sufficient school-based technology and would like to request a device (tablet or laptop) please complete this survey or call 718-935-5100 and choose option 5 to request one of these devices.
• Starting Monday March 23rd the city will start providing childcare for essential workers. Enroll your child here
• Children can pick up 3 free meals daily from 7:30AM-1:30PM M-F at 400 NYC sites. https://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
• Free online courses https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/15/us/scholastic-coronavirus-students-trnd/index.html
• Internet providers are offering short term FREE internet (see below)
• Learning from home: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/learn-at-home

HEALTH INSURANCE: 

• The special enrollment period to get a healthcare plan on the State's health exchange is extended to May 15. Uninsured New Yorkers can apply for coverage through NY State of Health or directly to insurers. If you lost employer coverage, you must apply within 60 days of losing that coverage. Because of a loss of income, New Yorkers may also be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, subsidized Qualified Health Plans or Child Health Plus.

UTILITIES:

• Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. New customers only. 

• Comcast Internet Essentials: 

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, new Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service. We are also increasing the speed of the program to 25 Mbps downloads, and 3 Mbps uploads for all new and existing customers.

After your first two free months expire, you can either cancel the service (which you can do at any time) or keep it as a regular paying Internet Essentials customer. You will receive an easy to use self-install-kit that includes a cable modem (to receive service at your home) with a WiFi router (to connect your devices without wires). There is no term contract or credit check and no shipping fee for equipment.

https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19

• Con Edison:  is suspending all service shut-offs and is waiving late payment and other fees for those NY State customers who cannot pay their bill.  Help During Coronavirus
• Phone and Internet: Most U.S. Internet and phone companies have agreed to suspend service terminations and will waive late fees related to the coronavirus pandemic. Visit here for a listing of participating providers. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:

• MTA buses are FREE.  They are not asking for metrocards.
• The MTA and ferries are running on reduced schedules https://new.mta.info/precautions-against-coronavirus

SPIRITUAL RESOURCES:

• https://bibleproject.com/videos/generosity/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=quarantinemail&utm_content=generosity
• https://redeemercitytocity.com/resources
• https://gospelinlife.com

MENTAL HEALTH

• Free Mental Health Services Free mental health services 24/7 for NYC residents. Call 1-888-NYC-Well 24/7 hotline or text “WELL” to 65173. For more information visit: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/. 
• Guidance on Coping with COVID 19: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has guidance on managing mental health and coping during COVID-19 for children and caregivers, as well as guidance for higher education administrators.

More than 8,600 mental health professionals have signed up to provide free online mental health services during COVID-19. For free emotional support, consultation and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

To reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), OR text “START” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION:

NYC GENERAL:  For help with food, money, housing, work and more, visit Access NYC. Click here. 

FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE INFO:  See here for an FAQ,  here,  here and here on what to expect. 

ESSENTIAL SERVICES:  Click here for a list of qualifying essential services.  

FAQ on FACEMASKS: Click here.

HOW TO WEAR A FACEMASK PROPERLY:  Click here.

GIVING BLOOD: https://nybloodcenter.org/donate-blood/covid-19-and-blood-donation-copy/

STUDENT LOANS: Interest is waived on federal student loans (this does not apply to private loans)

HELPFUL ARTICLES:

• https://journal.praxislabs.org/love-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-26aaeb0396e3
• https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/love-economic-crisis/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/us/coronavirus-testing-delays.html
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/opinion/coronavirus-church-close.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
• https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca
• https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-money-unemployment.html?te=1&nl=coronavirus-briefing&emc=edit_cb_20200319&campaign_id=154&instance_id=16915&segment_id=22402&user_id=e58e5f3db171cfed3a22a6e812976fd5&regi_id=5168810#link-43309be9