COVID-19 Resources

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s), 

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The novel coronavirus (COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2) is a global pandemic virus currently prevalent throughout NYC. This site contains information and resources to help the De La Salle Academy community respond to the financial hardships brought on by the coronavirus.

 

For additional questions or concerns, please contact Michael Tapscott, Assistant Principal, with any questions and he will put you in contact with our resources volunteer.

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Resources cover the following topics (you can click on the topic): ​

• Relief Funds

• Housing

• Utilities

• Food and Food Insecurity

• Health Care and Medical Needs

• Childcare

• Pet care

• Tech support

• Medical Supplies

• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

• Mutual Aid and Other Resources by Borough/County

 

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RELIEF FUNDS

Emergency relief funds to request from:

 

The Actors Fund - The Actors Fund provides services and financial support to entertainment professionals facing personal or work-related problems. It is also a conduit for emergency financial assistance in times of pressing need or in response to catastrophic events. Funds are available to union and non-union workers in entertainment and the performing arts. Info to apply for funds

 

New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Emergency Grants - List of emergency grants resources for artists affected by COVID-19. Info

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Artist Relief  - To support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to create an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States. - more info and apply

 

Authors League Fund - The Authors League Fund helps professional authors, journalists, poets, and dramatists who find themselves in financial need because of medical or health-related problems, temporary loss of income, or other misfortune. - link; follow on Facebook for more updates

 

Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund – apply

 

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

Eligibility requirements: (1) must be a bartender or the spouse or child of bartender; (2) experience a catastrophic event of emergency hardship that is identifiable; (3) proof of identification; (4) proof of employment; and (5) last paycheck stub. For more information access the application here

 

Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc) Relief Fund - The Binc Foundation is providing financial assistance to booksellers and employees, independent bookstores, and local comic book stores affected by COVID. They have application processes for household help, as well as help for retailers.- info

 

Children of Restaurants Employees' COVID-19 Relief Fund - general info, apply for funds

CORE is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to granting support to food & beverage service employees with children. providing support to food & beverage service employees with children, who have been medically diagnosed with COVID-19 or have someone living within their home who have been diagnosed.

 

Damayan Emergency fund for Filipinos in NYC - Fund for Filipino domestic worker or trafficked workers. Please contact Riya Ortiz, Damayan Case Manager, at riya@damayanmigrants.org or at (212) 564-6057. Info

 

Domestic Workers Alliance COVID-19 Relief Fund - If you are a domestic worker, text RELIEF to 97779 to get updates from NDWA, and find out when the Coronavirus Care Fund applications are ready.

 

Dramatists Guild Foundation - DGF provides emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and bookwriters in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness. DGF will be processing Emergency Grants based on severity of need, especially as it relates to COVID-19 - link

 

Financial Solidarity for Formerly Incarcerated People and Their Families Mutual Aid Project - info; application form is currently closed (as of 7/24/20) but will open back up if they are able to raise more money

 

Freelancers’ Relief Fund- offers financial assistance of up to $1,000 per freelance household to cover lost income and essential expenses not covered by government relief programs. Fund is temporarily closed to applications, but find more info and sign up for the union (it’s free) to get updates on when they’d reopen.

 

Humanity Forward (Andrew Yang’s Foundation) – application form

Delivering one-time, and recurring, basic income payments to individuals and families

 

Jazz Foundation Musicians Emergency Fund - In this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jazz Foundation of America continues to connect with hundreds of jazz and blues musicians to provide compassionate counsel and offer direct financial support - link

 

La Colmena- Community Job Center Staten Island Immigrant Emergency Fund

For more information visit La Colmena’s contact page.

 

Laundry Workers Center - Not-for-profit, member-led organization that provides community-based leadership development to improve the living and working conditions of low-wage laundry, warehouse, and food service workers in New York City and New Jersey. Providing one time gift card as long as funds are available.  Email laundryworkerscenter@gmail.com for the application form.

 

Little Egypt Mutual Aid - Provides undocumented families in Queens with cash aid to get them through this difficult time. [Will resume fundraising soon] - info

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Mayer Foundation Economic Relief Grants - Provides grants to individual artists and nonprofits who are distressed or suffering as a result of poverty, low income or lack of financial resources - link

 

MinKwon Center - Serving, educating, and organizing low-income Korean, Asian, and immigrant communities since 1984. Share the Relief Fund will support undocumented Korean Americans in NYC with direct cash payments, as they are ineligible to receive unemployment, federal stimulus checks, and other government relief due to their status. 

The Flushing Mutual Aid Fund will support low-income and marginalized residents in Flushing with food, medicine, and rent assistance, and will provide stipends to residents who take on roles in coordinating mutual aid and organizing their neighbors for grassroots movement and power. – link for info

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Musicians Foundation Emergency Grant Program – Provides professional musician with five or more years of experience performing, teaching, or composing in the United States and earn the majority of their income from any combination of performing, teaching, or composing.

Our new Emergency Grant Program gives all eligible applicants up to $200 to get through a week or two at the beginning of this difficult time. Our request to you is simple – give $200 or $400 to directly assist one or two musicians in need -  apply for help

 

Nail Techs United fund for nail salon workers- This fund will directly support nail salon workers to meet their needs and the needs of their families - info

 

One Fair Wage Emergency Fund - Cash assistance for restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more. Apply for help

 

RAISE Undocu Workers Fund - Supports undocumented workers in the service industry (restaurants) who will not be able to apply for unemployment benefits. Email undocuworkersfund@gmail.com. Eligibility requirements: (1) be undocumented, (2) work in food service industry in Manhattan or Brooklyn, (3) unable to work due to corona-related mandates, (4) have a venmo account or have access to a venmo account through someone you trust. 

 

Rauschenberg Emergency Grant - The program will provide one-time grants of up to $5,000 for unexpected medical emergencies. The grants are available to visual and media artists and choreographers who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the United States, District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories - link

 

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund – apply here

 

Service Workers Coalition - A cash relief network for and by service workers in New York City. Get info on Instagram, or email serviceworkerscoalition@gmail.com

 

NY Street Vendor Emergency Fund - For support contact the Urban Justice Center here or by phone: 646.602.5600 or email: svp@urbanjustice.org

 

SUSU Rapid Response support for Black Feminists - SUSU will be dispersing rapid response funds for Black feminists in need of emergency funds in the wake of the COVID-19. –Info and apply here [A new fund will reopen soon]

 

Sweet Relief Musicians Fund - Emergency fund for musicians and music industry workers affected by COVID-19. Please note: You do not need to be sick to be able eligible for assistance from our COVID-19 Fund. Phone: 888-955-7880 - link to apply

 

Undocumented people fund by Outlive Them NYC - info; Venmo @cory-tamler; sign up for their contact list for more info

 

Undocumented Women’s Fund - Provide direct financial assistance to meet the needs of undocumented single headed households in NYC.  - info

 

Undocumented Youth Fund from New York State Youth Leadership Council - Info

 

United Sommeliers Foundation - COVID Relief Fund - A fund that can be accessed immediately by restaurant sommeliers in the U.S. whose hours have been cut or jobs have been eliminated due to the COVID-19 crisis - apply for funds; more info on the website

 

Werc Space - Resources, tools and support to help small businesses owned by women and non-binary people. website.

 

The Workers Lab Covid Relief Fund – Supporting gig and low-earning contract workers without access to employer-based benefits. Contact workersfund@theworkerslab.com to get further information and request funds. 

 

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HOUSING

Emergency relief funds and information related to housing

 

Eviction-related Information and Resources

• Searchable database and map allow renters to identify if their home is covered by the CARES Act eviction moratoriums, which lasts through 8/25. Click here.

• 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-19 Hotel Program - If you tested positive for COVID-19 or think you might have it because of your symptoms, it is very important that you do not come in close contact with others, including people you may live with. This is called "self-isolation." You may qualify to self-isolate in a hotel, free of charge, for up to 14 days if you do not have a safe place to self-isolate - link

 

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UTILITIES

Emergency relief funds and information related to utilities

 

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - Low-income New Yorkers can apply for heating and cooling assistance under the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP. Apply here

 

Con Edison - During this incredibly challenging time, we know you’re counting on your power. We are not expecting any interruptions of your service because of the coronavirus (Covid-19). Please know you will not lose your power now because you’re having trouble making payments.

• Your service will not be shut off for non-payment.

• Waiving new late-payment fees.

• Suspending no-access fees if we can’t read your meter.

• No fees for making payments with credit cards or debit cards.

• Suspending fees for refusing smart meter installations

• Most customers can arrange for payment extensions and agreements online through My Account

 

Cooling Assistance Fund - Financial help to cover the cost and installation of an air conditioner or fan. Apply here

 

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.

 

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FOOD AND FOOD INSECURITY

Free food options -- see general and by borough below

 

General

 

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, kosher, and halal options - contact NotifyNYC@oem.nyc.gov with questions or concerns

 

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.

 

Plentiful - a free, easy-to-use reservation service for food pantries and the people they serve. Visit their website for food pantry locations or text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to the number 726-879 (PANTRY) from any phone for registration directions in nine languages to pick up a bag of groceries at a pantry within walking distance of your house, no questions asked. (You DO NOT need to download the app to make a reservation) - website

 

Food Markets - CityHarvest offers free food every other week across NYC. Find a location near you.

 

Nutrition Kitchen - Food bank run by The New York City Department of Probation. The website lists the latest locations and times of operation. link

 

Food Bank NYC - Find the help that you need

 

Food Help NYC - Map

 

Soup Kitchen and Food Pantries - search by borough

 

To find out whether you qualify for SNAP (food stamps) - Info

 

Free Baby Formula - WIC members can have baby formula delivered FREE to all New York City boroughs. Dial 718-405-9111

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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

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50 NYC Restaurants Giving Back to the Community - Includes restaurants serving free meals and opportunities to donate to restaurants that are feeding hospital workers - link

 

Grocery and supply delivery; delivery is free by Invisible Hands Delivery - Website, Tweet

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Brooklyn

 

Club A Kitchen - Distributing groceries & hygiene supplies every Wednesday & Saturday at Myrtle-Broadway. Check Instagram for updates. Donate money here. Donate goods: “Starting this Monday, May 4th, and every Monday from 12-2pm we will be taking in donations from anyone who has extra PPE, extra canned food, even extra plastic grocery bags you told yourself you were gonna sort through but just keeps growing every time you look under your sink (see Instagram post for more details)

 

Restaurant Workers Relief Program -- see posts for info on how laid off restaurant workers can pick up free dinners at Olmsted in Prospect Heights or Gertie – UPDATE: Olmsted is now giving away free meals and supplies to anyone in need (don’t have to be a restaurant worker), 4-7pm, 7 days per week (see Instagram post)

 

Crown Heights

 

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.

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Coronavirus NYC Food Resource Guide: Crown Heights/Prospect Heights - A resource guide by Hunter College's NYC Food Policy Center about meals for children, meals for seniors, retail food stores and their delivery/benefits policies, local food pantries and soup kitchens, resources for homeless people, resources for immigrant populations and resources for people with disabilities - link

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Weekly food distribution sites for Crown Heights - see Instagram post or Facebook post from Assembly member Diana Richardson for list and potential updates, different locations available on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Contact AM Richardson’s office for updates M-F 10am-6pm at (718) 771-3105 or by emailing district43@nyassembly.gov

 

Manhattan

 

Free meals at Avant Garden (East Village) - Free hot, healthy, plant-based meals for anyone in need at Avant Garden at 130 E 7th St. Wednesday - Sunday 4-9pm - website - call: 646-922-7948 

 

Queens

 

Jackson Heights New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) - offering groceries and cooked meals daily outside 71-29 Roosevelt Avenue - website

 

Long Island City Relief COVID-19 Response Group - Food collection and distribution, weekday grab and go meal distribution daily between 12:00pm - 2:00 pm (link for participating restaurants), and resource and volunteer mobilization (link)

 

Queens Queens Together is working to keep Queens restaurants in business and deliver/bring prepared food to food insecure and immigrant communities - facebook - instagram - link - email: queenstogether2020@gmail.com Jonathan Forgash co-founder - phone: 917-626-8960

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HEALTH CARE AND MEDICAL NEEDS

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Call 311 with any medical questions.

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To find out whether you can qualify for Medicaid or other free and low cost health insurance.

 

Health Care and Health Insurance

Resources for obtaining testing and medical care for COVID-19 and for helping New Yorkers who have lost their health care insurance due to job layoffs or other circumstances.

 

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COVID-19 and Healthcare

The NYC Department of Health has provided a factsheet detailing essential information about COVID-19, how it is spread, who is at greatest risk, and steps to take if you develop symptoms.

 

A New York State factsheet offers information about symptoms and prevention, testing, access to healthcare providers, the latest advisories, and your rights concerning health coverage.

 

Getting Tested for COVID-19 and Antibodies

All New Yorkers are eligible for free COVID-19 testing, regardless of whether symptoms are present. You do not need health insurance to get a test and you will not be asked about your immigration status. You can also get an antibody test, which can indicate whether you have been infected with the coronavirus. (Questions have been raised about the accuracy of antibody tests; also, it is not clear if having COVID-19  confers immunity from re-infection.)

 

There are now hundreds of testing sites across New York City. Criteria for who can be tested and the location and availability of testing sites change frequently. Before you go to a testing site, call ahead to confirm details about test criteria and availability as well as the hours.

 

To find a COVID-19 test center, click here.  

 

Free walk-in testing is available at New York City Health and Hospitals.  (link) You can also find a COVID testing site by phoning 311 or by sending a text on a cell phone (text “COVID TEST” to 855-48).

 

For information on antibody testing and where to obtain a test, click here. 

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Getting Help from a Doctor

People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. If any symptoms you develop cause you concern, or if you are over age 50, pregnant, or have an underlying health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, contact your primary care doctor or family physician. Your doctor’s office should be able to advise you about whether you should be tested and where to go for testing, as well as other steps you should take for your well-being and your family’s.

 

If you don’t have a regular physician, but would like to consult with a medical practitioner about COVID-related issues, you can find a provider at NYC Health + Hospitals facilities (which include urgent care clinics) by calling 1-844-692-4692 or by clicking here.  The NYC Health + Hospitals system accepts various health insurance plans and offers financial assistance programs for patients without sufficient coverage.

 

If you don’t have health insurance, there are a number of free or reduced-cost clinics in New York City where you can consult with a practitioner. Here is a listing of such clinics from NeedyMeds, a nonprofit that helps patients reduce medical costs. (The list contains clinics throughout New York State, listed in alphabetical order by town or borough.)

 

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Any person with a medical emergency has the right to call an ambulance and receive care in an emergency room, regardless of immigration status. Only go to a hospital emergency room if your symptoms are severe or disabling: for example, if you have trouble breathing; difficulty speaking; chest pain; seizure; any sudden and severe pain.

 

You can obtain mental health support that is free and confidential through the NYC WELL confidential helpline: 888-692-9355. You can also text “WELL” to 651-73 or chat online. 

 

An Emotional Support Hotline is available for residents of NY state dealing with COVID-related stress or anxiety. Call 1-844-863-9314 between 8 AM and 10 PM daily to schedule a free appointment with a mental health professional.

 

Covering Your Care: Health Insurance

Many New Yorkers who have lost jobs — or left jobs — because of the pandemic have also lost their health insurance. If you have recently lost employer health coverage, you may be offered a continuation of your coverage — called COBRA — by your former employer. Alternatively, you can apply for health coverage with the New York State of Health.

 

Coverage through COBRA

COBRA extends the insurance policy you have at work for you and your family for 18 to 36 months. The employer must provide you with a notice that COBRA is available, and you then have 60 days to decide whether to continue coverage through COBRA. While the coverage benefits remain the same, your monthly premium under COBRA is generally much more expensive than what you paid as an active employee, since the employer is no longer contributing to the cost of your insurance.

 

Coverage through NYSOH (New York State of Health)

Through the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), New York state offers health care plans in a “marketplace” that allows you to compare the benefits and costs of different plans. A marketplace plan will generally cost less than a COBRA plan offering comparable benefits. To use NYSOH, you must reside in New York state. Most immigrants who are NY residents can purchase marketplace plans. When you apply, NYSOH will consider a number of factors, including your monthly income and household size, to determine the plans you are eligible for, which for low-income families may include free or low-cost coverage from Medicaid or Child Health Plus (joint federal and state programs).

 

How to Enroll Directly with NYSOH

NYSOH uses a single application to determine which plans you are eligible for and what type of financial assistance is available.

You can enroll:

• online at the NYSOH website. 

• by phone at 855-355-5777.

• with the help of an assistor.  Assistors – who include certified counselors, enrollers, and navigators – can help you apply for health insurance, understand coverage options, and enroll in an appropriate plan. To connect with an assistor, click here.

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Other Sources of Help

Trying to figure out health insurance options can be confusing. These three nonprofit organizations can help with health insurance and other coverage issues.

 

Community Health Advocates (CHA)

CHA can provide one-on-one assistance to counsel you about health insurance and, if appropriate, connect you with a navigator to assist you in enrolling in a NYSOH marketplace plan. CHA can also help if you have been denied medical services or have received a medical bill that you don’t understand or want to challenge. Call the CHA helpline on weekdays from 9 AM to 4 PM at 888-641-5400. You can also send an email to cha@cssny.org.

 

Public Health Solutions (PHS)

PHS works with government agencies, nonprofits, and community health centers to connect you with essential health services. Multi-lingual enrollment assistors in each borough will answer questions about health coverage and can walk you through the sign-up process. For general inquiries about enrolling, call 1-800-344-4306.

 

Information in the areas of family health, pregnancy support, and sexual and reproductive health (including HIV and AIDS) is available on the PHS website.

 

PHS also assists low-income New Yorkers who are 65 or older, blind, or living with a disability to apply for Medicaid and the Medicare Savings program (which helps cover Medicare costs) or renew existing Medicaid coverage. Call 646-619-6759. (You can also get free in-person assistance by calling the NY City Human Resources Administration at 347-396-4705.)

 

The Medicare Rights Center

New Yorkers age 65 are eligible to apply for Medicare. You can go to Medicare’s website or call 1-800-633-4227 for information and to enroll. If you want further guidance and assistance, you can contact the nonprofit Medicare Rights Center  (phone: 800-333-4114).

(Note: Obtaining health care services and insurance can be especially confusing for immigrants. This special guide identifies, in easy-to-read charts, immigration status requirements for the many coverage and health care services available to New Yorkers.)

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