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Resources For Survivors (COVID-19 Related)

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Resources For Survivors During COVID-19

What You Need to Know

General Resources

  • New Yorkers who have symptoms of COVID-19 can call 844-NYC-4NYC to connect with services and schedule testing from NYC Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H).

  • Text 'COVID' to 692-692 to get important COVID-19 related updates
    sent straight to your phone. You can text 'COVIDESP' to get updates in Spanish.

  • For those in eligible groups, you can make appointments to get a COVID-19 vaccine at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder

  • For the latest public health information regarding COVID-19 in NYC, visit www.nyc.gov/coronavirus

  • Use the ACCESS NYC online screening tool to determine the City, State, and Federal health and human service benefit programs you may be eligible for.

For Survivors

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Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal its answer.

Personal Safety

  • NYC Family Justice Centers (FJCs) are open and available by phone and in person with guidance on immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and community resources. Reach out on Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with questions or to make an appointment, or for support accessing Family Court virtually for an order of protection or to file an emergency custody or visitation petition. FJCs can also connect you to a partner agency for a legal consultation or advocacy.
    Learn how FJCs can help you

  • You can also locate nearby resources online using NYC HOPE, the City's Resource Directory for services for survivors

  • Safety Tips for Survivors...

  • Learn more about virtual appearances and re-entering protocols for NYS State Courts

    If you had a case pending in Family Court before the NYS on PAUSE order went into effect in mid -March, please continue to check for updates regarding Family Court re-calendaring your case, or contact the NYC Family Court at NYFCInquiry@nycourts.gov or by phone at 646-386-5299.

  • The New York State Address Confidentiality Program can help victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence—such as stalking, sexual offenses, and human trafficking—protect the privacy of their home, school, and/or work addresses. Learn more and apply online.

Food and Cash Assistance

  • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 authorized the payment of Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Food Benefits to households with children who would have received free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Act, if not for a school closure. These temporary food benefits are to help cover the cost of meals children would otherwise would have received at school. Learn more about P-EBT

  • Legal Services of New York City (LSNYC) is offering free, confidential assessments for public benefits such as cash assistance, SNAP and Medicaid. Call LSNYC's Access Line (917-661-4500) to be connected to an eligibility and application expert.

  • Grab and Go meals are now for all New Yorkers. No one will be turned away. Participants will be able to pick up three meals. To find a meal hub, text "NYCFOOD" or "COMIDA" to 877-877. Learn more about free meals

  • One week of free groceries are available to all New Yorkers in five boroughs at the Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) Nutrition Kitchens, in partnership with the Food Bank of NYC and the NYC Young Men's Initiative (YMI). Learn more about free groceries

  • Many NYC food pantries are working on modified hours. Call 311 to find out which food pantries are open and when, in real-time.

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can now be used to shop online for fresh produce and groceries. Visit these participating online stores to order your groceries online, and they will deliver to you. Participating stores in the New York City area include Amazon, ShopRite, and Walmart. Learn more about SNAP online shopping

    Important note: SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay delivery fees. Be sure to confirm an online store delivers to your home address.

  • You can apply or manage your benefits online at ACCESS HRA or with the ACCESS HRA mobile app.

    Use ACCESS HRA to:
    • Apply for Cash Assistance or Emergency One Time Assistance
    • Apply or recertify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (commonly known as food stamps)

New Yorkers who needed to recertify their SNAP or CA cases do not need to recertify at this time due to COVID-19. Recertifications are postponed and clients will get a letter in the mail when it is time to recertify. Public benefits will remain active. There is no need to call HRA to recertify at this time. All in-person appointments with HRA have been cancelled. No negative case actions will be taken.

Only visit an HRA Office if your needs cannot be met through ACCESS HRA or over the phone. Many HRA locations are temporarily closed. Consult the HRA Locations page for more information.

Housing & Utilities

  • The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. Priority Applications will be given for the first 30 days of the program (starting June 1, 2020) to households with certain qualifying conditions, including those with a member currently experiencing domestic violence or a survivor of human trafficking. Learn more

  • The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) offers protections for Section 8 and NYCHA residents. Learn more about VAWA

  • Domestic Violence Shelters are still open for intake. Call the City's 24-hour Domestic Violence hotline (800-621-4673; TTY: 800-810-7444) to learn more.

  • Visit the NYCHA Journal to learn more about NYCHA's Guidance to Section 8 Participants on Rent Hardships, Guidance to Public Housing Residents on Hardships, and COVID-19 Updates on Property Management Offices

  • Tenants' Rights for Tenants with COVID-19 or Under Home-Quarantine

Health and Mental Health

  • The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program offers medical care, forensic examination and documentation, and crisis counseling to victims of sexual assault. Here's a list of hospitals with SAFE Programs in NYC

  • Using healthcare services, even if Medicaid-funded, will not impact your ability to apply for a green card. Learn more about Public Charge

  • All New Yorkers can enroll in NYC CARE, which guarantees low or no cost services to residents who do not qualify for, or cannot afford, health insurance based on federal guidelines—regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay. Those eligible for health insurance will be directed to the City's public choice health plan, MetroPlus. Learn more by calling 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273) or visit www.nyccare.nyc.

  • NYS has extended the Special Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers through May 31, 2021. New Yorkers can apply for coverage through New York State's health insurance marketplace, or directly through insurers.

  • NYC Care health coverage is available to all New Yorkers If you cannot afford or are not eligible for health insurance, you can enroll to access comprehensive and affordable primary, preventative, and specialized health care at NYC H+H hospitals. Call 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273) or visit a NYC H+H location to enroll.

  • Project Street Beat is still providing sexual and reproductive health care. Call 855-778-2328, Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to schedule a remote telehealth visit for non-urgent visits, or on-site Mobile Health Center visits for urgent needs.

  • NYC Well offers free, confidential mental health support. New Yorkers can 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.

  • ThriveNYC has published a new Guide to Mental Health Services that New Yorkers can access while staying at home, including a list of free apps to help address anxiety, depression, recovery, and other mental health resources.

Employment and Finances

  • The NYC Workforce1 Career Center launched a Virtual Center (or call 718-960-2458) to help New Yorkers prepare for, and connect to, jobs across New York City's five boroughs and in every sector of the economy. Services are no-cost and do not require in-person visits. Learn more about virtual Workforce 1 Career Centers

  • Unemployment insurance claims will be backdated to the date New Yorkers became unemployed, and eligible New Yorkers will be paid all benefits due. For new Unemployment Insurance claims, read this FAQ about Unemployment Benefits and Health Insurance and check the NYS DOL website.

  • Paid Leave benefits are available for those subject to an order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19.

  • Learn more about Guidance for Employers and Employees about COVID-19 Mandates

  • NYC Financial Empowerment Center counselors are available to support you over the phone with free financial counseling – it's secure and confidential. Book an appointment

  • Many banks are offering programs to help customers affected by COVID-19, such as deferred payments and fee waivers. Check the American Bankers Association's list or reach out to your bank directly to learn more.

  • You can apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits online, check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verification letter, and more with Online Services at my Social Security.

Legal Help

  • Call the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG's) COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline (929-356-9582) to get answers to legal questions for New Yorkers impacted by COVID, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. When leaving a message, include your name, the best number to call back, and a description of the issue. NYLAG will follow-up within two business days. The hotline can offer advice on Advanced Planning (Standby Guardianship, Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, Wills), Consumer Debt (Debt Collection, Wage Garnishment), Employee Rights (Paid Leave, FMLA, Working Conditions), Housing (Eviction, Rent Arrears, Foreclosure, Mortgage Relief Options), Unemployment Benefits, Public Benefits, Special Education issues (K-12), Stimulus Payment Questions. Learn more about the Legal Resource Hotline

For Survivors With Children

  • Many NYS WIC offices are available to provide services by phone for appointments. On-site appointments are limited. Learn more about WIC

  • Parents, foster parents, or caretakers with questions about a child protective investigation, prevention case, or foster care case should contact their Child Protective Specialist or agency case planner, and their supervision team if needed.

    The ACS Office of Advocacy remains available to assist by e-mail and phone:
    • Helpline (212-676-9421; TTY: 212-442-1447)
    • Incarcerated parents may call collect (212-619-1309 or 212-341-3322)

  • Get Resources for New Yorkers who are parents and caregivers, including planning for if you get sick (Courtesy of NYC Administration of Childrens Services)

LGBTQ+ Specific Resources

  • LGBTQ+ COVID-19 Online Guide created in partnership with representatives from 15 city agencies and over 200 LGBTQ+ community partners across NYC, is organized into categories of LGBTQ+ affirming services for mental health, physical health and wellness, sexual health, peer and community support, food assistance, legal services, housing and shelter, and financial/funding opportunities.

Resources for Immigrant Communities During COVID-19 Pandemic

For Persons Living with Disabilities

For Seniors

For Youth

  • Teens and Abuse During the Coronavirus Crisis

  • Know Your Rights Guides on teen dating abuse and related issues, such as consent, stalking, orders of protection, and more (Courtesy of Day One)

  • Verizon helps alert parents to the power of parental controls (Courtesy of Verizon)

  • GenerationNYC, including connecting virtual events through Fun at Home, such as NBA League Pass, NFL Game Pass, Ailey All Access, and more!

  • The Trevor Project is providing 24/7 access to an affirming international community for LGBTQ young people and trained crisis counselors to talk directly with youth in crisis. Call 866-488-7386.

  • New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center is offering remote services—including one-on-one sessions and guided meditations. Learn more about remote services

  • The LGBT National Youth Talkline provides a safe space for those under the age of 25 to anonymously seek support. Check online for hours and call 800-246-7743. Those under the age of 20 can also join the weekly moderated chat rooms here—there's one for all LGBTQ teens and another just for trans teens. The chat rooms also have extended hours until May 1st.

For the Community at Large

For DV Programs/Partners/Non-Profits

Other Resources for Survivors

General

More on Self-Care and Resilience

For Those Seeking to Contribute to NYC's Efforts

For those wondering how you can contribute to the citywide effort to address COVID-19, please visit nyc.gov/HelpNow to learn how you can donate medical supplies, offer a community space to be considered for additional hospital capacity, donate food to healthcare professionals, or volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps. You may also consider donating blood if you are able, in order to help ensure that blood is available for any patients who may need it.

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You can also learn more about additional City Services and Assistance Available to Individuals.