RESOURCES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Housing
As of Monday March 16, eviction proceedings and pending orders will be suspended statewide until further notice. Housing court functions such as landlord lockouts, repair orders, and serious code violations will continue.
As of Thursday March 19, New York has implemented a 90-day foreclosure moratorium and mortgage relief period for owners who can demonstrate they are not able to make timely payments due to the impact of the virus.
HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH YOUR HOUSING?
Tenants Rights Hotline by Met Council - 212-979-0611 (ingles y espanol) or more info
NYC Tenants' Rights During COVID-19 Emergency - Resource created by some lawyers at Mobilization for Justice (MFJ) NYC - Link
Report attempted evictions - Anyone with knowledge of City marshals attempting to execute on warrants of eviction can report this activity by calling DOI’s Bureau of City Marshals at (212) 825-5953.
Support for eviction prevention: Bronx Works, Catholic Charities (helps regardless of denomination), Coalition for the Homeless
COVID RENT RELIEF -
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) opens the application process for the NYS COVID Rent Relief Program, which will provide up to $100 million in rental assistance to tenants throughout the state. Applications must be submitted online or by mail by July 30.
Applications are being accepted through July 30, 2020. The State Division of Homes and Community Renewal] will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.
Tenants may apply online at https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP
Applicants must provide the following
1. A copy of a lease or other proof of monthly rental amount; and
2. Proof of the household’s gross income, both prior to March 1, 2020 and at present (including paystubs, employer letters, and federal/state tax returns).
The COVID Rent Relief Program Call Center-833-499-0381 is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Email enquires may be directed to: covidrentrelief@hcr.ny.gov.
Utilities
As of Friday March 13, New York utilities have volunteered to suspend utility shut-offs for power, heat and water for all customers.
Free WiFi at home:
Comcast - offering Essentials internet service designed for low-income families free for 60 days for new qualifying customers. Visit https://www.internetessentials.com/ for more information. Call 1-855-8-INTERNET for set up.
Spectrum - households with K-12 students can get free Spectrum Wifi for 60 days (including free installation for new customers). Call 1-844-488-8395 for set up.
Wifi via smartphone:
Metro PCS, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T and Comcast are all lifting their unlimited data caps for cell phone subscribers for at least 60 days. Contact your cellphone provider for more information.
MetroPCS will allow you to add a free 10GB of mobile hotspot per month by adding an add on service available in the MyMetro app, MyAccount or by calling Care at 611.
T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile are providing customers an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot/tethering service for the next 60 days coming soon.
Groceries & meals funds and delivery services
Groceries and meal funds to request from
Club A Kitchen nonperishables and supplies - donate, distribution every Saturday at intersection of Myrtle and Broadway
Greenmarket - List of alternative sales channels for farmers - NYC’s Greenmarket lists how their vendors can do no contact pickups at farmer’s market or delivery to your home, etc to support local farmers - directory - instagram
Grocery and supply delivery; delivery is free by Invisible Hands Delivery - Website, Tweet
Grocery delivery service (free) by Sylvia Rivera Food Pantry - Info
Local Meals For Brooklyn Hospital Center Staff - Raising funds for local restaurants to supply meals to Brooklyn Hospital staff - GoFundMe
Food and Food Insecurity
Free food options
Soup Kitchens and Food Pantry Services by Borough
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11sRdUqjlWg7gqZBNVq87Y7Hnfrf4s3fBnbANoxeWUSI/edit?usp=gmail
Free Meals at 400 NYC Meal Hubs - find a free meal location - Any New Yorker who wants one can get three free meals a day at more than 400 Meal Hubs across the city, including vegetarian and halal options - contact NotifyNYC@oem.nyc.gov with questions or concerns
Food Bank NYC - Find the help that you need
Food Help NYC - Map
Soup Kitchen and Food Pantries - search by borough
Club A Kitchen - free nonperishables every Saturday at the intersection of Myrtle & Broadway in Brooklyn
NYC public school students may pick up free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch from 7:30am-1:30pm outside the main entrance to every school building. Students may go to their regular school or the one closest to them.
To find out whether you qualify for SNAP (food stamps) - Info
Free Baby Formula Delivery - WIC members can have baby formula delivered FREE to all New York City boroughs. Dial 718-405-9111
Free Veggies for Restaurant Workers - Local Roots CSA is giving away free vegetables to restaurant workers that are without work and money right now: info@localroots.nyc
Crown Heights, BK - Free lunch and dinner pickup at The Bergen @ 1299 Bergen St
11:30am - 1:30pm daily lunch, 4:30pm - 6:30pm for dinner. See March 23 FB post and The Bergen’s FB page for menu info and updates. To donate and support this program, venmo @thebergenbk to donate or Cash app: $BU2018.
Jackson Heights New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) - offering groceries and cooked meals daily outside 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue - Website
Through nyc.gov/getfood new Yorkers can access information about food assistance programs and resources.
Food Support - http://uptowngrandcentral.org/guide
Human Service Consortium of
East Harlem
COVID-19 Resource Guide
Updated: April 30, 2020
Food Resource Guide
Meal Distribution Hubs (3 Meals/Day) (Grab-and-Go)
● Sites will be serving grab-and-go meal service for adults and children and no adult will be turned away.
● No registration or identification required.
● Vegetarian and halal options are available at all sites. Kosher meals are also available at select locations.
● Meal hubs will operate from 7:30am-11:30am for children & families and 11:30 am- 1:30pm for adults.
o Central Park East High School 1573 Madison Avenue
o James Weldon Johnson 176 East 115 Street
o P.S. 083 Luis Munoz Rivera 219 East 109 Street
o P.S. 108 Assemblyman Angelo Del
Toro Educational Complex 1615 Madison Avenue
o P.S. 38 Roberto Clemente 232 East 103 Street
o Tag Young Scholars 240 East 109 Street
o The Lexington Academy 131 East 104 Street
o P.S. 112 Jose Celso Barbosa 535 East 119 Street
o River East Elementary 2351 First Avenue
o P.S. 096 Joseph Lanzetta 216 East 120 Street
Get Food NYC https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409
meals for Seniors (60-years-old and above)
● Seniors WHO ARE ALREADY REGISTERED WITH A SENIOR CENTER will receive a 5-meal package once per week and will be notified of their delivery via phone call.
● Seniors (homebound or not) can email agingconnect@aging.nyc.gov or call Aging Connect at 212-244-6469 or 311 to set up directly delivered meals.
Citymeals Emergency Meals & Friendly Visiting: 355 Lexington Ave (212) -687-1234
Citymeals Weekend Meals: 355 Lexington Avenue (212) -687-1234
● Call (212) 348-4344 ext. 144 to sign up for meal delivery.
Employment
1199ers are the on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. Our healthcare system is struggling to maintain staffing levels. Do you have family or friends who are able work in dietary, EVS, transport, or as a home care worker or nursing assistant? Please refer them to the 1199 Funds employment center where they can apply to work during this pandemic. Together we can continue to make a difference for New York.
https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/employment-center/.
Contact Tracing Workforce: The City is hiring 1,000 contact tracers to work with DOHMH. Hiring will be done through the Fund for Public Health. If you know someone that's interested in this role, go to FPHnyc.org for more information, or email covid-19jobs@fphync.org.
NYCHA will be hiring part-time 30 temporary workers and 6 team captains to facilitate the delivery of
food and other supplies to targeted households.
Reporting to the Property Manager/CEP staff the Team Captain for Food and Supplies Delivery responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Sign in and out on attendance sheet provided
2. Supervise assigned Food and Supplies Delivery Assistants
3. Conduct daily meetings at the start of the day’s activities
4. Receive, sign and accept bulk deliveries
5. Supervise the distribution of regular deliveries on the grounds and in buildings
6. Ensure food/supplies to the apartment of vulnerable residents are delivered in a timely manner
7. Monitor information received from Food Delivery Assistants and ensure all deliveries are made
8. Report all findings to PM/CEP Staff
9. Follow directives from PM/CEP Staff
10. Prepare statistics of each day’s activity
11. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Documents
Two forms of identification (originals only) to verify your identity and eligibility to work in the United
States.
Examples of acceptable documents include, but are not limited to:
• Driver license
• U.S. Passport
• Social Security card
• U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)
• Employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security
• Original or certified copy of birth certificate
Note: All candidates must pass a background check.
Please submit a resume to: Yolanda.Johnson-Peterkin@nycha.nyc.gov
Virtual Paid Training for Staten Island Youth
NYCHA is hiring Temporary Per Diem Workers to assist with general maintenance at NYCHA properties throughout the city. Please call your local NYCHA Property Management Office for more information and to schedule an appointment to complete the required forms. Learn more here.
Get Hired as an EPA-Licensed Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor
Multiple vendors in New York City are looking to immediately fill multiple full-time EPA-licensed Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor positions to perform lead-based paint inspection in NYCHA developments citywide. To learn about the skills required and to apply, click here.
Get Hired to Help Support NYS's COVID-19 Response
New York State will hire and train a team of staff members to support the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) and local health departments. The following are the three remote, full-time, temporary positions: Contact Tracer, Community Support Specialist, and Team Supervisor. Apply by clicking on the job title link.
Help NYCHA Be Smoke-Free
NYCHA’s Health Initiatives team is hiring six full-time Liaisons for the Smoke-Free NYCHA Liaison program. Smoke-Free NYCHA Liaisons are community health workers who promote adherence to the Smoke-Free policy and help residents reduce their tobacco use. Apply online at www.nyc.gov/careers/search.
Education
Remote Learning Device Request Form From DOE:
Public schools will continue academic instruction through remote learning. Call DOE at 718-935-5100 and choose option "5" from the menu for help in obtaining a device with internet connection. Or, go to https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices and fill out the request form.
Resource Guides
Compilation of Resources & Guides - Office of NYC Comptroller - Resource Guide
http://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/covid-resources/overview/
FindHelp.org https://findhelp.org/search_results/10029
Free Childcare for Essential Workers
The City is offering free childcare for the children of essential workers, with at least two sites in every school district. Childcare will be offered Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 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. Essential workers who are NYC residents and would like to enroll in one of these centers need to complete the REC Enrollment Form on this page. The form needs to be completed for every child, and the worker will then receive an email confirming your child’s center assignment.
Check the status of your Economic Impact Payment
If you are eligible for a one-time coronavirus pandemic payment and haven't received your stimulus check yet, you can track your payment with the new IRS Get My Payment tool. Payments are automatically deposited into your bank account if you filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return and received a refund via direct deposit. The Get My Payment tool will give you information about your payment status, payment type, and if your bank account or other information is needed. Learn more. If you were not required to file a federal income tax return for 2019, you can provide information easily and quickly for no fee. Non-tax filers can click here for guidance from the IRS.
Apply for Public Benefits with ACCESS HRA
You can apply for cash assistance, Medicaid and SNAP benefits at the same time through the ACCESS HRA mobile app or apply online. Learn more online at ACCESS HRA Your Way.
Rent Reduction Due to Financial Hardship
If your hours have been cut at work, or if you have lost your job, please fill out an Interim Recertification application immediately to have your rent reduced. There is no waiting period to report loss of income to NYCHA. There are 3 different ways you may apply for an Interim Recertification:
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Visit NYCHA's Self-Service Portal at https://selfserve.nycha.info
-
Call NYCHA's Customer Contact Center (CCC) at 718-707-7771 (option 5)
-
Call your Property Management Office to have a paper application mailed to you
Your rent will be adjusted for the month following the submission of the application. NYCHA will accept partial rent payments until the application is processed.
Sign Up Today for COVID Relief Resources from MAP
Neighborhood Safety Initiatives (NSI) and the Mayors Action Plan (MAP) are connecting residents of 17 NYCHA developments to food, supplies, and one-on-one social work, case management, and mental health services for COVID relief purposes. Residents can receive weekly food and supply deliveries if they submit a High Risk Needs Assessment e-form every week. A Spanish language e-form is also available. An NSI representative will text and call twice with delivery status updates.
Unemployment Benefits
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Quick Reference guide: https://labor.ny.gov/ui/pdfs/pandemic-unemployment-assistance.pdf
Workers can apply for unemployment benefits at the following site: labor.ny.gov/signin (for step-by-step online filing instructions go to:
https://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/pdfs/Unemployment-Filing-Instructions.pdf
Workers with no internet access can also apply via phone, though wait times may be long: 888-209-8124.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB)
● NYS Department of Labor is waiving the 7-day waiting period to apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits for people who are out of work or quarantined because of the coronavirus. The federal CARES Act also authorized the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides payments to workers not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.
Visit https://applications.labor.ny.gov/IndividualReg/ or Call 888-209-8124
● A NEW system for filing for unemployment is now in place! If you filed a claim under the old system and were told to call back, you no longer need to do so. The DOL will call you directly to complete your UI benefits filing. ANYONE calling from the DOL will verify their identity by providing the date an applicant filed a UI application and the type of claim filed – information only DOL reps have access to. They may ask you for personal information in order to verify your identity and complete your application. Eligible NYers who have exhausted their benefits can now receive up to 13 ADDITIONAL weeks of UI benefits, which is great news!
NYS Benefits
New Paid Leave for COVID-19
● https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/covid19
● https://www.abetterbalance.org/resources/fact-sheet-new-york-states-paid-sick-leave-legislation/
Social Security Benefits
Social Security
● Effective March 17, 2020 all Social Security offices will be closed to the public.
● Online services remain available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices
o Benefits including retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits may be applied for online.
o Other services available online are: application status updates, benefit verification letters, replacing Social Security cards.
● Those unable to use the online services may call Social Security’s National Number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
● Stimulus checks will have no effect on either SSI or SSDI.
● Members of the East Harlem community needing SSA services can call our general inquiry line at: 877 445-0836, from Monday to Friday, from 9 to 4pm.
● Callers with Social Security issues can be referred to Legal Aid’s Access to Benefits (A2B) Hotline at 1-(888) 663-6880.
