Here are more updates Regarding the City and State’s Response to COVID-19:
-If you need help with any issue, such as applying for unemployment, please don't hesitate to contact Assembly Member DenDekker's office by calling (718) 457-0384 or emailing at
dendekkerm@nyassembly.gov-New York State now has 308,314 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 23,587 deaths; 169,690 confirmed cases in New York City and 18,069 deaths. Source:
https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6.
-New York State on PAUSE is extended through 5/15.
-Starting May 6, the MTA will close the Subway system from 1 AM to 5 AM for deep cleaning.
-The Department of Education has issued a new grading policy that will not factor in attendance in grades and will not fail any students. More info here:
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learn-at-home/chancellor-s-message-for-families-All non-essential events, such as parades, concerts, and rallies, are cancelled through the end of June in New York City.
-The IRS launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for those who don’t normally file a tax return. The non-filer tool provides a free and easy option designed for people who don’t have a return filing obligation, including those with too little income to file. The feature is available only on IRS.gov, and users should look for Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here to take them directly to the tool, or go to
http://www.irs.gov/nonfilereip-If you get SSI, have not filed a tax return, and have an eligible child, YOU MUST go to the nonfile website to get $500 per child in addition to $1,200 BY MAY 5.
-The Paycheck Protection Program has restarted acceptance of applications from small businesses. For help with applying, call the New York Small Business Development Center at LaGuardia College at (718) 482-5303.
-The New York State Department of Labor announced the launch of a new application for New Yorkers to apply for traditional Unemployment Insurance or the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. This one-stop-shop for unemployment benefits will connect New Yorkers with the benefits they deserve faster, without requiring them to call the Department of Labor:
https://my.ny.gov/LoginV4/login.xhtml-If you need assistance with your unemployment application, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist.
-All New Yorkers will now be able to vote by mail in the June 23rd elections. All voters will automatically be mailed an absentee ballot application to request a mail-in ballot.
-Please don't forget to fill out the Census at
https://2020census.gov-By completing the Census 2020, Commonpoint Queens will enter your name into a raffle and add you as a complete! Enter to win a $100 Gift Card from CPQ here:
https://www.commonpointqueens.org/program/2020-census-outreach/ or text 917-757-1021.
-The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs has created a resource page for immigrant communities during the pandemic that is translated into ten languages, including Spanish, Bengali, and Chinese:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/city-services/resources-for-immigrant-communities-during-covid-19-pandemic.page-If you see overcrowding at any public place, including parks (if people are too close together or playing team sports) or supermarkets, call 311 and call our office. You can also take a photo of the people not practicing safe social distancing and text the photo to 311-692.
-If you live in New York City and you have DACA, call ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365 for help renewing your application. They may even be able to help you out with the renewal fee.
-The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued guidance stating that N95 masks and other kinds of PPE equipment should be reserved for use in a health care setting. Anyone not in a health care setting should use a regular face covering.
-If you are not calling 311 to be connected to a COVID-19 related resource, or with an urgent request, please submit a service request online by visiting
NYC.gov/311 or by using the 311 app. Or, if you cannot submit a request online, consider calling after 7PM or during weekend hours.
-Alternate Side Parking: Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended through Tuesday, May 12. Parking meters and all other parking rules remain in effect. The City may extend the suspension based on street cleanliness and workforce availability.
Food Issues
-NYC is increasing capacity of halal meals at all of their Grab-and-Go sites, especially at PS 69 77-02 37th Ave, so that members of the Muslim community have access to meals while observing Ramadan.
-All Farmers Markets will remain open.
-The Department of Education is now offering additional meals for adults at the 440 sites they are currently serving students free meals throughout the day. Folks can pick up 3 meals at a time from 7:30am - 1:30pm; from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM, children/families will be served, and from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, adults will be served. Locations can found on the DOE website or texting NYC Food or NYC comida to 877-877 to answer any questions you may have.
-Here is a map of all Grab and Go meal locations and food pantries in the city:
https://dsny.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=35901167a9d84fb0a2e0672d344f176f Hover your cursor for the dots for additional details
-For homebound seniors and those with disabilities, you can apply to have meals delivered for you by calling 311 or going to
https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409-New York City is going to be doubling capacity to enroll more seniors in the program starting next week and again using senior centers to help distribute food
-New Yorkers can use their SNAP benefits to order online. For more info head to: www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/snap-online-shopping.page
School/Child Care
-AP students can still take this year’s exam, even though schools are closed. The College Board is offering at-home digital testing and free, online review courses @
www.youtube.com/advancedplacement. The exam content will focus on what most schools were able to complete by early March. Students will be able to take their exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They’ll also have the option to write their responses by hand and submit a photo. Exams will be given from May 11-22. Make-up test dates will be available for each subject from June 1-5. In addition, the College Board is working to help students with connectivity issues get access to the tools they need to use the practice resources and take the test. More information is available at
www.cb.org/coronavirusAPstudents-NYC has opened several dozen Regional Enrichment Centers across the City, to serve the children of our City’s first responders, healthcare workers, transit workers, and our most vulnerable populations. Here is a list of centers in our area:
PS/IS 128 - 69-10 65th Drive 11379
P.S. 19 - QUEENS - 98-02 ROOSEVELT AVENUE 11368
ELMHURST EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS - Q 45-10 94TH STREET 11373
Mosaic Pre-K Center at 44-15 Judge Street 44-15 Judge Street 11373
LONG ISLAND CITY HS(NEW)-Q 14-30 BROADWAY 11106
P.S. 11 - QUEENS 54-25 SKILLMAN AVENUE 11377
District 30 Pre-K Center at 3252 37th Street
-The Regional Enrichment Centers also serve grocery and pharmacy workers.
-The New York City Department of Education wants every student who needs a device for remote learning to have one, even if the student does not have internet access at home. Simply call 718-935-5100 and choose Option 5 on the menu. Someone will help you get a device with internet connection. You can also fill out this form:
https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices-All Queens Public Library locations may be closed, but many free digital resources are available online at
https://www.queenslibrary.org/about-us/news-media/blog/2041?utm_source=oracle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digitalresources2020_BLGJobs/Small Business
-The Queens Public Library has created a Job and Business Academy, which will provide assistance with creating a resumé. For assistance, email
jobsearchhelp@queenslibrary.org with questions.
-Facebook has launched a $6.5 million grant program for NYC small businesses. Our small businesses deserve this help. You can apply at
facebook.com/grantsforbusiness.
-The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is offering a series of business webinars:
-Payment Protection Program webinar, May 1, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Register here:
https://panynj1.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=panynj1&service=6&rnd=0.059844555211427286&main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpanynj1.webex.com%2Fec3300%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b00000004da7c06d5ee6877368d0c1e4c3c578ecd55313a0d141fa37b17566a262494a554%26siteurl%3Dpanynj1%26confViewID%3D159880595541872922%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAARJMg9kHsc3CkwxuChUxsWNQau1koAY_3oHnijplhb93A2%26-MWBE certification webinar on May 6 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-port-authority-of-ny-nj-mwbe-certification-101-tickets-103136271364-Business procurement webinar: May 7, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Register here:
https://lagptac.ecenterdirect.com/events/4637-Google business internet webinars: May 5, 12, and 19, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Register here:
https://events.withgoogle.com/google-digital-coaches-program-new-york/registrations/new/?utm_source=website-If your business needs help with a lease, free legal assistance can be obtained from the Commercial Lease Assistance Program. Go to this website for more details:
https://www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/article/commercial-lease-assistance-program-The City Bar Justice Center is providing pro bono legal consultations for businesses trying to access federal, state, and local business assistance programs. Go to
https://www.citybarjusticecenter.org/covid-19-small-business-remote-legal-clinic/ for more info.
-CAMBA, a human services organization that provides services to the homeless, is hiring for positions to support their shelter programs, including Maintenance Workers, all locations and shifts;Security Guards, all locations and shifts; Shift Supervisors (including per diem opportunities), all locations and shifts; Residential Aides, all locations and shifts; and Social Workers (LMSW and LCSW), all locations and shifts. Prospective employees should email their resumé to
submitresumes@camba.org.
-The Taxi and Limousine Commission is recruiting for TLC-licensed drivers to help with important work related to COVID-19, such as delivering food to older adults who can’t leave their homes. This work will be paid $15/hour plus reimbursement for gas and tolls. Drivers will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis:
cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7634997ad67502161607c2-The Small Business Administration is offering the opportunity to apply for disaster loans:
disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fela%2FLoanApplication%2FStartApplication-Due to COVID-19, all Council for Airport Opportunity Career Centers are closed until further notice. CAO will be temporarily accepting online registration from our NY & NJ community. All in-person orientations and pre-screenings are now conducted over the phone. Participants, who are interested in our services are invited to register using one of the following methods. 1.) You may register at
www.caonynj.com 2.) By applying on CAO Ziprecruiter postings. 3.) Or submit your resume at
career@caony.com. Please include the position title and airport preference in the subject field. Our Account Managers will contact you using the information you provided and complete your registration.
-NYC's Workforce One website is operational for job seekers:
https://access.nyc.gov/programs/workforce-1/-In response to the COVID-19 state of emergency in NYC, the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s Office of Financial Empowerment has transitioned all of our financial counseling and coaching programs to offer services remotely:
http://nyc.gov/talkmoneyAdvisories from State/Local/Federal Agencies/Utilities
-The organization Sanctuary for Families is still providing assistance to survivors of domestic violence; they can still secure orders of protection. You can call their legal helpline at (212) 349-6009 or visit
http://sanctuaryforfamilies.org/get-help-Housing Court will not have any new HP filings except those that are considered emergencies. Emergencies consist of no running water, a non-functioning toilet; no gas is under consideration for being thought of as an emergency.
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a new effort to discourage cash payments at the City’s parking meters and encourage contactless parking payment by smartphone. The Pay-By-Cell option protects the safety of both DOT’s workforce and the public by reducing physical interactions with the City’s 14,000 meters.
ParkNYC: Launched in December 2016 and available for free download in the Apple Store or Google Play, ParkNYC allows account holders to pay for parking at any metered parking space on a new pay-as-you-go basis with no additional fees after loading an initial $25 wallet balance. The popular app was used for more than 22 million parking transactions last year.
ParkMobile: To enhance the Pay-by-Cell program and encourage contactless transactions, DOT is now temporarily offering the option to use the nationwide ParkMobile app for single transactions, for a 15-cent per transaction fee. While meters will continue to accept coins and credit cards, we encourage all customers to consider their own safety and the safety of our workers — and opt for mobile payments. The app accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
-The City is providing assistance for burials:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/burial-assistance.page-The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has issued guidance on applying for the $75 million it was allocated in the CARES Act. If a nonprofit cultural organization has received NEA support in the last four fiscal years, they are eligible to apply for a direct grant. Apply by April 22!
https://www.arts.gov/grants/apply-grant/grants-organizations-Here is the Department of Finance's new FAQ page re SCRIE/DRIE during the pandemic:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/help/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions.page-US Citizenship and Immigration Services has clarified that seeking or using medical treatment or preventive healthcare services related to COVID-19 will NOT be considered under the Public Charge rule, even if the services are Medicaid-funded. Seek care without fear.
-USCIS also announced that it is adopting measures to minimize the immigration consequences associated with responding to requests for evidence (RFEs) and notices of intent to deny (NOIDs) dated between March 1 and May 1, 2020
Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny: For applicants and petitioners who receive an RFE or NOID dated between March 1 and May 1, 2020, any responses submitted within 60 calendar days after the response deadline set forth in the RFE or NOID will be considered by USCIS before any action is taken.
USCIS will provide further updates as the situation develops and will continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance. Please visit
uscis.gov/coronavirus for the latest facts and other USCIS updates.
-Spectrum is offering free internet for 60 days to college students and households with K-12 students that currently do not have internet. In addition, people behind on their Spectrum bill can get their internet service restored. Call (833) 267-6094 for more details.
-National Grid has temporarily suspended collections-related activities, including service disconnections, to lessen any financial hardship the COVID-19 pandemic may cause. For customers struggling to make payments, there is a financial assistance program to ease the burden; speak to customer service. Currently all late fees are being waived.
-New York City’s Department of Finance announced it will waive penalties for DOF-administered business and excise taxes due this spring.
More Miscellaneous Health Info
-Through May 15th, 2020, health insurance enrollment is open for uninsured New Yorkers as part of a Special Enrollment Period: Get Covered
-The Community Service Society of New York is offering assistance with student loans. The Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) continues to provide essential servicers amid this crisis to ensure. EDCAP is providing updates on what is happened at the federal and state level: Visit
edcapny.org. One-on-One Assistance: To speak to a Financial Counselor or schedule an appointment, call 888-614-5004.
-In order to fight the spread of COVID-19 within households that are in particularly high-risk communities, New York City is offering 11,000 free hotel rooms for people who need to quarantine. Hotel rooms will be offered based on referrals from NYC Health + Hospitals and community health providers, beginning on Wednesday. These will be targeted in particular to people in overcrowded homes, health care workers regardless of symptoms, and New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Clients must be COVID positive or COVID-symptomatic and unable to isolate where they live. These are individuals who do not require medical care and can self-isolate with basic services, including: onsite medical and social services, meals, laundry, phone, internet, daily check-in calls by medical staff, and transportation to and from the hotel as needed. To learn more about the program, visit
nyc.gov/covid19hotel.
-Here is a COVID-19 resource guide for people with disabilities:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/mopd/resources/covid-19-resources-for-people-with-disabilities.page-Here is an FAQ on New York State's new paid sick leave law on COVID-19:
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/imm/covid-19-paid-sick-leave-order-faq.pdf-The City has announced a free new digital platform to provide safe, fun, and entertaining virtual activities for New York City’s teens and young adults. This first-of-its-kind campaign combines city and community resources to engage teens who are at home during the COVID-19 crisis, and also provides tips to cope with the public and mental health challenges that may arise during this difficult time. Fun at Home can be accessed at
nyc.gov/funathome or texting “Fun” to 97743 to receive the latest updates on resources and activities.
-Commonpoint Queens is offering free virtual mental health counseling and other services to help Queens residents cope with the coronavirus crisis:
https://www.commonpointqueens.org/covid19/-New Yorkers can call the state's mental health hotline at 1-844-863-9314 to schedule a free appointment.
-If you are a healthcare professional that would like to volunteer, you have medical supplies you would like to donate, or you require any sort of COVID-19-related assistance, please go to the HelpNYC website:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/helpnownyc/index.page.
-I’ve been affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19). What are some of the benefits I may be eligible for?
https://access.nyc.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/#section-2