Unemployment AssistanceNew York State is waiving the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines. Visit the New York State Department of Labor website for more information.
***can file by phone or online, recommend online filing Department of Labor umemployemnt LinkFood Assistance
Visit ACCESS HRA to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps)
NYC Department for the Aging provides home-delivered meals are available for seniors ages 60 years and older who may have disabilities, access, or functional needs.
Foodbank NYC has a interactive map with providers who have switched to “grab and go” meals and pantry bags to minimize the risk of exposure.
HungerFree NYC publishes Neighborhood Guides to Food and Assistance”. These guides covers all neighborhoods in NYC by zip code and are available in multiple languages.
Free meals available daily for all NYC children. Grab and Go Meals information page. Find a Meal Location Near You
Health & Medical Assistance
Visit ACCESS HRA to apply for Medicaid(Disabled, 65+ or Blind and have Medicare)
Visit New York State of Health Marketplace to apply for health insurance(under age of 54)Financial Assistance
Visit ACCESS HRA to apply for cash assistance
Visit HRA Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grant. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) was extended and is still accepting applications until April 20, 2020.Rent Arrears and Public Assistance
If your work schedule was reduced as a result of the coronavirus and you are unable to pay your rent, you can apply for a Cash Assistance special grant request to get benefits for emergencies.
If you have an active Cash Assistance case, visit ACCESS HRARent Freeze ProgramSenior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE-least 62 years old) Program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE-receiving Federal Disability Assistance)Program is for people who live in rent regulated apertment. Application must meet all conditions to be eligible for the program.
New York City Housing Authority
NYCHA residents that experience a loss of income may qualify for a rent reduction. Households that have experienced a complete income loss may qualify for the Zero Income Policy.
Access to Free Internet at Home
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 and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. To enroll, call Spectrum at 844-488-8395.NYC Department of Education
The NYC Department of Education will assist families that may need remote learning devices. Please fill out the surveys below if you need assistance.
Online (available in English Español 中文 বাংলা Русский العربية اردو বাংলা 한국어 Français)
Phone: 718-935-5100 (press 5)Paid Sick Leave
Under the law, covered employees have the right to use safe and sick leave for the care and treatment of themselves or a family member. To learn more, visit the Paid Safe and Sick Leavepage.
COVID-19 Testing
The FDA has approved New York State to authorize the state’s 28 public and private labs to begin manual, semi-automated and automated testing for novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
***need Online Assessment & pre-register for testing COVID-19 Testing LinkEmotional SupportHelp for stress, depression, anxiety, or drug and alcohol use. NYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.English: 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355), Press 2
中文: 1-888-692-9355, Press 4Other Improtant Info
For the safety of clients and staff, HRA is taking the following actions to avoid the need for New Yorkers to visit HRA Offices until further notice:
- All in-person HRA appointments are cancelled. You will get a text or email from HRA letting you know your next steps.
- If you were scheduled for a recertification interview you should submit your recertification form through ACCESS HRA and we will then call you for an interview.
- Your Cash Assistance (CA) case will stay open even if you do not:
- Go to an HRA appointment, including child support or child care services (assessments will be done over the phone, if possible).
- Go to an HRA work or training assignment (even if you are or were sanctioned).
- Submit your 6-month periodic report.
- Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) case will stay open even if you do not:
- Complete your eligibility interview in person if one was scheduled. You can still complete your eligibility interview by phone by calling 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) anytime between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
- Submit your 6-month periodic report. Please submit all required documents through the ACCESS HRA app’s mobile document upload feature.
- Meet the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements
- Note: you should STILL return your completed CA and SNAP recertifications and can do so online at www.nyc.gov/accesshra or by mobile phone using the free ACCESSHRA app.
- If proposed changes are approved by the Federal Government, your Medicaid case will stay open even if you do not:
- Return a document or form, including your Medicaid Renewal form
- Meet your Medicaid surplus
- All eviction proceedings are temporarily suspended by the courts until further notice. This means that you will not need to apply for back rent to stop an eviction until further notice.
- All utility companies are temporarily suspending utility shut-offs until further notice. You do not need to apply for Emergency Assistance (a one-shot deal) because your electricity, gas or oil for heat, will not be turned off for non-payment, even if you get a notice that your service will end, until further notice.
- All Fair Hearings will be done over the phone until further notice.
- All Fair Fares offices are closed until further notice. You can still apply for Fair Fares NYC online.
- NYS Family Courts are limiting service to emergency court hearing parts. These include Domestic Violence, Child Welfare, Juvenile Delinquency, Emergency Custody and Visitation and child support violation petitions. All existing scheduled court proceedings, except those in emergency parts, will be adjourned.
- The Child Support Walk-in Center is encouraging customers to email inquiries to dcse.cseweb@dfa.state.ny.us; call the New York State Child Support Helpline at 888-208-4485, or mail us at NYC OCSS P.O. Box 830, Canal Street Station, New York, NY 10013.
- For information on how to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit the City’s COVID-19 Information page.
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