1. COVID-19 Resource Hub
2. Emergency Social Services

Emergency Social Services - COVID-19

Patients of NYC Health + Hospitals may be encountering new challenges in meeting their daily needs. Restrictions on regular operations in NYC have led to changes in social service delivery. This page has updated information on available social services to support staff to meet their patients’ social, financial, and legal needs.

Contact the Social Determinants Team at socialdeterminants@nychhc.org with any questions.

Resources for Patients

This Emergency Social Services List for NYC Health + Hospitals Patients is a curated inventory of resources for frontline NYC Health + Hospitals staff on a range of topics, including food, burial assistance, and financial assistance. Here are some highlights:

Food:

• Patients can visit certain public schools to pick up food for themselves and their family members Monday through Friday. Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 to find the nearest school.
• Call 311 and say “GetFood” or visit nyc.gov/getfood for information about the closest food pantry or to determine eligibility for free meal delivery.

Legal Services:

• The COVID-19 crisis has generated many new legal questions for NYC Health + Hospitals patients. LegalHealth attorneys are available to speak with staff and patients at (929) 333-2264 or legalhealthtriage@nylag.org. All legal services are conducted telephonically at this time, and are completely free, confidential and voluntary.

Free Financial Services for New Yorkers Currently Offered Through the Government:

• Governor Cuomo Announces $26.6 Million Available to Support Essential Workers and First Responders Through the Empire Pandemic Grant Program. Program Was Designed to Assist Essential Workers and First Responders with Urgent Economic Needs Amidst Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. Up to $1,000 Available per Household from Funding Made Possible through Private Donations. Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement Fund
• New York State is guaranteeing Paid Sick Leave and Paid Family Leave for individuals who must miss work because of COVID-19
• For those that have not yet received the federal Economic Impact Payment and have questions the IRS can help.
• Patients experiencing job loss can apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) through the NY Department of Labor (DOL).
• NYC Financial Empowerment Centers offer free financial counseling by phone in various languages and can help with questions, such as accessing the stimulus payment, opening bank accounts, or contacting creditors. Visit nyc.gov/TalkMoney to book an appointment. They run NYC Free Tax Prep, which provides free assistance to file taxes online or by phone to ensure patients who are eligible access the Earned Income Tax Credit.

NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP):

• Starting June 1, 2021, NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will be accepting applications for eligible New Yorkers to help pay up to 12 months of back rent and utilities, and 3 months of future rent. Go to the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) ERAP website or call 844-NY1RENT (844-691-7368) to find information about eligibility, the benefits available, and frequently asked questions. Flyers are available in العربية (Arabic), বাঙালি (Bengali), 中文 (Chinese), English, Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole), Italiano (Italian), 한국의 (Korean), Polski (Polish), Русский (Russian), Español (Spanish), אידיש (Yiddish)

Internet Service Discount - Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB):

• As of May 2021, qualified New York City residents may be eligible to receive a temporary discount for current or new monthly Internet service subscriptions. Funds will be allocated to qualifying households on a first-come, first-serve basis for as long as funds last. To learn more on how to sign up, visit the USAC website or call 833-511-0311. Handouts and a fact sheet in: Arabic, Amharic, Burmese, Chinese (Traditional), English, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese

Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement Fund :

• Essential Workers and First Responders can be reimbursed for out-of-pocket childcare, transportation, lodging and other qualifying expenses that enabled workers to perform their duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualifying applicants include first responders, health care, and many multi-industry workers. Up to $1,000 is available per household. Workers should be referred by employers, unions or social service providers who can verify employment during the COVID emergency. Families who earn up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level - or $125,470 for a family of four - are eligible to apply for the funds to cover expenses. Apply here.

Mental Health:

• Contact NYC Well for free confidential support available 24/7: Call 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355), text “WELL” to 65173, or chat through the website.

Burial Assistance:

• The NYC HRA Office of Burial Services is offering expanded funds to cover burial costs for low income New Yorkers who do not have resources to pay for their funeral. There is no longer an immigration restriction. Loved ones can access the application in various languages and submit it online, by mail, or in person within 120 days from the date of the decedent’s death.
• Beginning in April 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to COVID-19 to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. To determine eligibility for FEMA funeral assistance and gather needed documents, visit FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance​.

Resources for Immigrant New Yorkers:

• Many city services are available to all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status or ability to pay, although other eligibility requirements may apply. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs has created a website with detailed information in many languages on resources available for immigrants in NYC.

Mutual Aid Societies for New Yorkers

• Mutual Aid NYC is a collection of mutual aid societies across the five boroughs. Created and run by community members in specific geographic areas, New Yorkers have come together to help one another. Patients can ask for assistance from mutual aid societies in a variety of areas. These may include, but are not limited to: help with grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, transportation assistance, friendly visits (virtual options), help with pets, etc. Patients can call the Mutual Aid NYC Hotline at 646-437-8080 in multiple languages.