Community

Resources & Support

EMPLOYMENT & FINANCES -

Check the status of your Economic Impact PaymentIf you are eligible for a one-time coronavirus pandemic payment and haven’t received your stimulus check yet, you can track your payment with the new IRS Get My Payment tool. Payments are automatically deposited into your bank account if you filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return and received a refund via direct deposit.

Unemployment Insurance

If you started, but have not finished filing a claim:

  • DOL claim specialists will call you to complete your claim

  • Expect a call from any number/ blocked number, and be ready to answer calls on your phone

To start a new unemployment claim, use the new, improved system at labor.ny.gov:

  • The system can handle most applications from start to finish, reducing the need to speak to a claims specialist on the phone.

  • When workers’ claims are approved they will receive benefits backdated to their first day of unemployment.

Call 1-888-209-8124 for extended telephone hours:

  • Monday through Friday, 8am to 7:30pm

  • Saturday and Sunday, 7:30am to 8pm

U.S. citizens or immigrant residents who meet the following are eligible:

  • Have a valid Social Security number

  • Could not be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer, and

  • Had adjusted gross income under certain limits.

Learn more about Economic Impact Payments.

Job Seekers

NYC Financial Empowerment CentersIf you are experiencing sudden changes to your household budget or income due to COVID-19, financial counselors can help you:

  • Manage your money and set up a spending plan

  • Contact creditors about existing loans, including student loans

  • Draft letters to creditors to lower payments or temporarily suspend payments due to hardship

  • Develop a strategy to minimize debt

  • Access local, state, and federal emergency resources

Book an appointment for FREE one-on-one financial counseling with an NYC Financial Empowerment Center Counselor.SNAP -

HOUSING -

Domestic violence

Mortgage Relief
Learn more from NY State Department of Finance.

Risk of homelessness and emergency rent assistance
Homebase offers:

  • Services to prevent eviction

  • Assistance obtaining public benefits

  • Emergency rental assistance

  • Education and job placement assistance

  • Financial counseling and money management

  • Help relocating

  • Short-term financial assistance

Learn more about Homebase and call 311 to find out how to get help.

Section 8
NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Section 8 voucher holders having trouble paying rent because of income loss should email DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov.

Rent Arrears and Cash Assistance
If your work schedule was reduced and you are unable to pay your rent, apply for a Cash Assistance special grant request to get emergency benefits.

NYCHA Rent Hardship

Ready to Rent Ready to Rent helps New Yorkers prepare to apply for affordable housing by providing free one-on-one financial counseling and assistance with affordable housing applications. Learn more about Ready to Rent.

Rent Freeze Updates Due to the COVID-19 outbreak Rent Freeze Programs application processing times may be impacted. You can expect a determination within a few weeks of applying.

  • Mailing addresses have been changed for SCRIE and DRIE applications from Maiden Lane to a post office box. See the application forms for the address change.

  • There were no mailing address updates to Homeowner Exemption applications. Homeowners can also apply online.

  • Review DOF’s frequently asked questions to learn more. 

  • Visit DOF’s website for service changes and self-service options: 

FOOD -

Food Assistance Resources
Options to get free food from the City include:

  • Grab & Go meals at NYC Schools for children and adults

  • SNAP (food stamps)

  • Emergency meal delivery

Learn how to get food at NYC.gov/getFood

Emergency Food Assistance
To find the nearest food pantries and community kitchens, call the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777.

SNAP (food stamps)
Apply for SNAP, Cash Assistance, and Medicaid renewal all at the same time through the Cash Assistance application on ACCESS HRA.

Learn more about SNAP on ACCESS NYC.

Shop online for fresh produce and groceries. Use your EBT card at these online stores in NYC. You can’t use SNAP benefits to pay delivery fees.

Learn more about online shopping with SNAP.

Check your food stamp (SNAP) balance on your phone.
Fresh EBT is an app from a tech company that makes it easy to check your food stamp (SNAP) balance on your phone.

Food stamps for women, infants, children (WIC) updates
WIC is not suspending any eWIC cards, although there are scams online stating this. You can check your WIC benefit balance by:

Senior residents and food

Food Markets

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

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