In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TLC and the City have a full suite of resources for TLC-Licensed Drivers, Vehicle Owners, and Businesses.
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Owner/Driver Resource Center
The Owner/Driver Resource Center provides drivers financial counseling, legal services, health and mental health resources and public benefit application support free of charge. Schedule an appointment today.
All appointments will be completed over the phone. American Sign Language and other language interpretation services are available.
NYC Free Tax Prep
Let free IRS-certified volunteer preparers help you maximize your refund. New Yorkers who earned $68,000 or less in may be eligible to file their taxes for free. NYC Free Tax Prep offers services including:
NYC Tax prep sites are available in all five boroughs. Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/taxprep to check the eligibility requirements and choose the best filing option for you. Services are currently available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, and Russian with others available through phone interpretation.
Food Assistance
Public Benefits Application
The City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) can help you with public benefits applications through AccessHRA, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash Assistance, and Medicaid renewal.
Click here for more information on ACCESSHRA
The New York City Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services (HRA) is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance.
You can find these and additional programs on the HRA website. Visit the HRA website and see what assistance you qualify for.
Driver Protection Unit
The Driver Protection Unit protects the rights of all taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers. The Unit investigates complaints submitted by TLC licensees that allege that they have been subjected to illegal conduct including:
The Unit also reviews New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission rules to improve drivers’ rights and regularly provides Drivers’ Rights trainings throughout New York City. To date, the Unit has helped drivers get back more than $3.2 million.
For more information call (718) 391-5539 or e-mail driverprotection@tlc.nyc.gov.
Related Information:
Legal Services
Estate Planning
At no cost to you, NYLAG’s Attorneys can:
For more information on Estate Planning, read the Estate Planning Flyer in English or Folleto de Planificación Patrimonial in Spanish/Español.
To contact NYLAG, call 212-946-0349 or Email: NYLAG.
Schedule a virtual clinic appointment at NYLAG Foreclosure Prevention Project Calendar. Appointments are available Wednesdays 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Housing and Eviction Prevention Assistance
New York City residential renters facing eviction can receive free legal assistance through HRA's Office of Civil Justice and the City's "right-to-counsel" law. The free legal services may include legal advice, assistance with rental assistance applications and other required forms, advocacy with your landlord, or representation in your eviction case in court.
To access these free eviction prevention services:
New York City Housing Court is open. For more information, please visit New York State Unified Court System or call 833-503-0447 (toll-free).
The Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants has information available in the following languages:
Spanish/Español, Chinese (Traditional)/繁體中文, Chinese (Simplified)/简体中文, Russian/Русский, Arabic/العربية, Haitian Creole/Kreyòl Ayisyen, Korean/한국어, Bengali/ বাংলা, Urdu/اردو, Polish/Polski, French/Français.
Please check the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants COVID-19 Fact Page for more information and updates.
New York City created the Landlord-Tenant Mediation Project to resolve housing issues that may have occurred as result of COVID-19. The Landlord-Tenant Mediation Project helps tenants and landlords meet outside of Housing Court to resolve issues such as unpaid rent, lease concerns, or move outs. Mediation is free, confidential, and voluntary. You can participate regardless of immigration status.
You and your landlord may be good candidates for mediation when:
Situations that are likely not appropriate for mediation include:
How do I apply? Call 311 and say, “Tenant Helpline.” A helpline specialist will help determine whether mediation is appropriate for your situation and can refer you to a Community Dispute Resolution Center of NYC (CDRC) in your borough.
If you are at risk of losing your home, NYLAG’s Foreclosure Prevention Project Attorneys can help you avoid foreclosure.
NYLAG’s Attorneys can provide the following services at no cost:
Foreclosure Prevention information is also available in Spanish / Español, Chinese (Simplified) / 简化字, Russian / Русский язык, French / français, Urdu / اردو, and Bengali / বাংলা.
Voter Registration
To Register to Vote or Check your Voter Registration Status with the Board of Elections in the City of New York visit the NYC's Board of Election website.
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COVID-19 Vaccination
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, free, and has shown to be very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Many millions of people have received the vaccine, and the data shows the vaccine is working.
There are vaccination sites in all five boroughs where you can walk-in, General Vaccination Information ,and receive a vaccine without an appointment. You can also use the City’s Vaccine Finder to locate the site closest to you, including those that take appointments.
If you are 75 years of age or older, have a disability, or are fully homebound, you may be eligible for a vaccine at home — if interested, please fill out a form to see if you are eligible for a vaccination at home.
Temporary mobile and pop-up vaccination sites are traveling through every borough, and the schedule for those sites is available online here at General Vaccine Information.
This NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene factsheet explains how COVID-19 vaccines save lives, why they work, how the vaccines are safe, who can get vaccinated, and how the vaccines were developed so quickly.
Vaccinations are the best tool New York City has for fighting COVID-19, and every dose given makes the city we love safer!
COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing
All TLC-Licensed Drivers now have access to a new tool to help locate COVID-19 testing centers. All City COVID-19 testing locations are listed, including testing facilities located JFK and LGA Airports. You can choose between drive-thru or walk-in locations. All listed locations include contact information and link with directions.
Once on the Testing Locations for Drivers page, follow the below steps:
Here you can access Testing Locations for Drivers.
Arabic / العربية | Bengali / বাংলা | French / français | Haitian-Creole / Kreyòl ayisyen | Korean / 한국어 | Polish / polski | Russian / Русский язык | Chinese (Simplified) / 简化字 | Spanish / Español | Urdu / اردو | Hindi / हिन्दी | Punjabi / ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
The COVID-19 diagnostic test is safe, free, and easy. A nasal swab, oral swab or saliva sample may be used.
There are over 100 convenient COVID-19 diagnostic testing sites across the city. Find a testing site near you.
Who can get tested?
Get tested if you:
How long do results take?
Most results are returned in about 48 hours.
Do I need insurance?
You do NOT need insurance to get a diagnostic test.
Privacy
Your test results are confidential.
Driver Health – What you need to know about COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus
The health and safety of Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) licensees is a top priority for the Commission. COVID-19, RSV and flu are spreading in NYC this winter season. We strongly recommend everyone to wear masks in all indoor public settings to reduce the spread of these viruses.
Use these important tools to fight respiratory viruses:
For more information and safety tips for staying safe this season, please visit the New York City Department of Health’s webpage: COVID-19
Vehicle Cleaning – Guidance for Vehicle Operators
Arabic / العربية | Bengali / বাংলা | French / français | Haitian-Creole / Kreyòl ayisyen | Korean / 한국어 | Polish / polski | Russian / Русский язык | Chinese (Simplified) / 简化字 | Spanish / Español | Urdu / اردو | Hindi / हिन्दी | Punjabi / ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
The NYC Health Department may change recommendations as the situation evolves. For updated information, visit NYC Health’s COVID-19: Guidance for Businesses page.
Health Care and Medical Insurance
NYC Care is a health care access program that guarantees low-cost and no-cost services to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance. All NYC Care services are provided through NYC Health + Hospitals. Visit NYC Care or call 1- 646-NYC-CARE (1-646-692- 2273).
MetroPlus is the plan of choice for over half a million New Yorkers. In addition to Medicaid Managed Care, MetroPlus offers dozens of quality health plans, including Child Health Plus; several Medicare Plans; a Medicaid Special Needs Plan (SNP).
On March 13, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that seeking or using healthcare services related to COVID-19 will NOT be considered under the public charge rule, even if the services are Medicaid-funded. Learn more from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).
Anyone who needs help during the COVID-19 crisis should seek care without fear, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay for health services.
If you need help finding a health care provider, call 311.
Drivers Benefits paid for by The Black Car Fund
The Black Car Fund (BCF) is a non-profit organization created by New York State to provide workers' compensation insurance to drivers of NY Black Car Services including Lyft, Uber, Via, and the more traditional Black Car bases in the industry.
BCF also provides valuable health and wellness Drivers Benefits at no cost to eligible drivers. These benefits include Dental Insurance, Vision Coverage, Telemedicine, and IDG Mental Health & Wellness benefits, as well as discounts on Urgent Care, Diagnostic Imaging and Prescriptions. These benefits are funded entirely by the small surcharge that is paid by passengers on each ride. More details about these benefits can be found BlackCar Fund Drivers Benefits.
If you are not already a Drivers Benefits member, then you can activate your membership for free here on the Activate Your Benifits page .
If you are already a Drivers Benefits me mber, then visit and bookmark the Member Guide for quick access to your benefits, info on how to book your Dental, Vision and Telemedicine appointments, and much more.
For help activating or accessing your benefits, please call (888) 814-8590 and speak with one of our multilingual member services representatives.
Mental Health
An infectious illness outbreak can be stressful to you and your loved ones. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, and afraid, or to experience other symptoms of distress, such as trouble sleeping. To reduce your stress and to manage the situation more resiliently, try to remain positive, remind yourself of your strengths, connect with friends and loved ones and use healthy coping skills.
If your symptoms of stress become overwhelming, reach out for support and help. You can contact NYC Well, a free, confidential, 24/7 helpline, staffed by trained counselors. They can provide brief counseling and referrals to care in over 200 languages.
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SBS Workforce1
Small Business Services (SBS) Workforce1 program helps New Yorkers prepare for and connect to jobs in every sector across the five boroughs. Through their virtual career center system, you can be connected by web or phone to one-on-one assistance from professionals who can help you:
All services are free and do not require in-person visits. For more information or to sign up visit Virtual Workforce1 Career Center System
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TLC Operations
TLC-Approved Temporary Partitions
Arabic / العربية | Bengali / বাংলা | French / français | Haitian-Creole / Kreyòl ayisyen | Korean / 한국어 | Polish / polski | Russian / Русский язык | Chinese (Simplified) / 简化字 | Spanish / Español | Urdu / اردو | Hindi / हिन्दी | Punjabi / ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
This is a reminder about the TLC policy, which was put in place May 2020, which allows TLC vehicles that currently lack partitions to install temporary ones installed by approved partition installers. We strongly encourage you to use a TLC approved vendor for installation so that the temporary partition is safe for you, the riding public, and those you share the road with.
List of installers for temporary partitions (PDF)
Please be sure to contact the approved installer before showing up for partition prices and availability. We encourage you to keep a copy of your installation paperwork in your vehicle to demonstrate the partition was installed by an approved installer.