You can find programs and services that can help you make ends meet, find ways to cope, and support others during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Businesses

Visit the Business Financial Assistance page to learn how to access grants, loans, and other programs that can help you reopen and grow your business. 

Workers

If you're a worker, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Workers page to learn about:

  • What you need to know about businesses reopening
  • Workers' rights and workplace rules
  • Documentation needed to return to work
  • Financial resources and essential worker benefits

Price Gouging

Price gouging is illegal for any personal or household good or any service that is needed to prevent or limit the spread of or treat the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

Examples include:

  • Cleaning products
  • Disinfectants (wipes, liquids, sprays)
  • Face masks
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Medicines

Learn more and file a complaint on the Overcharge page.

Discrimination

It is illegal for business owners or staff at places of public accommodations (e.g. grocery stores, medical facilities, restaurants, among others) to kick you out, refuse to serve you, or otherwise treat you less well than other customers because of fears or stigma around COVID-19. This includes harassment or discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, national origin, disability, or other protected classes.

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can report it to the NYC Commission on Human Rights.

Learn more on the Discrimination page.

Child Care

You can learn how to apply for financial assistance to pay for child care services at an EarlyLearn NYC child care program on the Child Care Financial Assistance page.

To learn about the tax benefit that helps families pay for child care, visit the Child Tax Credits page.

You can get information about available services and resources for immigrant communities during the COVID-19 pandemic on the Immigrant Assistance page.

Domestic Violence

Anyone can experience abuse regardless of:

  • Age
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity
  • Ethnicity
  • Social group

If you are experiencing abuse, you can get help with safety planning, referrals, and connections to emergency housing. Learn more and find help on the Domestic Violence page.

Property Tax

The Property Tax and Interest Deferral (PT AID) program helps homeowners who are experiencing hardship defer payments for past and future property taxes.

Learn how to apply on the Property Tax Payment Deferral page.

Mortgages

Visit the Foreclosure Prevention page for information or assistance with:

  • Foreclosure
  • Housing and legal counseling
  • COVID-19 mortgage relief and forbearance
  • Loan modifications
  • Applying for the NYS Homeowner Assistance Fund

Residential Tenants

You can get help with paying rent, learn your rights under the law, and find resources to help you stay in your home during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Services and programs include:

  • Help paying rent
  • New York State's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
  • Lowering or freezing your rent
  • Landlord-Tenant Mediation Project
  • Eviction defense legal services under the City’s Right-to-Counsel law
  • Tenant Helpline

Learn more on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Tenants page.

NYCHA Tenants

NYCHA has simplified its Rent Hardship Policy to make it easier to reduce your rent during the COVID-19 crisis. If you live in NYCHA public housing, you can complete an Interim Recertification if you lost your job or your work hours were cut.

Learn more on the NYCHA Rent Payment page.

Commercial Tenants

If you are a commercial tenant, you can get information about financial and legal resources for your business, including help reviewing and negotiating commercial leases.

Learn more on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Businesses page.

Unemployment

If you have lost your job, you can claim unemployment insurance benefits.

To learn more and apply for benefits, visit the Unemployment Insurance page.

Cash and Expenses

Public Assistance

Eligible families can apply to receive up to 60 months of federally funded cash assistance under the Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program (TANF).

Single individuals without children and families who have already received cash assistance for 60 months can apply to receive benefits under the New York State Safety Net Program.

Current public assistance recipients with children will also receive one-time payments through the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF).

Learn more on the Public Assistance or Welfare page.

Emergency Cash Assistance

The "One Shot Deal" emergency assistance program helps people who can't meet an expense due to an unexpected situation or event. You may be eligible for an emergency cash grant. For more information, visit the One Shot Deal page.

If you already receive Cash Assistance, you can apply for a Special Grant using ACCESS HRA.

Discounts for Internet Service

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps eligible households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

To learn more, visit the Affordable Connectivity Program page.

    Stimulus Payments

    Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, eligible individuals and families will receive Economic Impact Payments (stimulus payments) based on income. The payment amount you receive depends on your income. Each round of stimulus payments has different income requirements.

    To learn more, visit the Stimulus Payments page.

    Utilities

    Low-income homeowners and renters can get help paying for utility and heating bills through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Learn more on the Energy Assistance page.

    Financial Counseling

    NYC Financial Empowerment Centers now provide free one-on-one professional, financial counseling over the phone. Counselors can provide financial guidance during COVID-19.

    Learn more on the Financial Counseling page.

    Student Loans

    If you have federal student loans, you may be eligible to apply for the limited Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) waiver and one-time student loan debt relief under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Student Debt Relief Plan. 

    Learn more on the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness page.

    Healthcare Worker Bonus (HWB) Program

    The Healthcare Worker Bonus (HWB) Program is the payment of bonuses for certain frontline health care workers. 

    In order to receive the bonus, employees must meet eligibility requirements. In addition, qualified employers are required to claim the bonus on behalf of their employees. An employee is not able to claim bonuses independently.

    Learn more about the Healthcare Worker Bonus (HWB) Program.

    Free food is available to all New Yorkers in need.

    • Emergency Food sites can help you get food quickly.
    • Food Benefit Programs can help you buy groceries.

    Please note that the Test & Trace Corps Care Emergency Food Delivery Program ended on June 30, 2022. Emergency food sites and food benefit programs are still available.

    Emergency Food

    You can pick up food packages at a food pantry or get a meal at a soup kitchen. Use Site Finder to search for a Food Provider. You should call first to confirm their hours before visiting.

    You can also visit nyc.gov/donate for other local food resources. Select Find and Food/Beverage on the website, then enter your address.

    Seniors

    Visit the Home Delivered Meals for Older Adults page to learn about meal delivery service for seniors age 60 and older who are unable to attend a group meal program or prepare their own meals.

    Food Benefit Programs

    You can get help paying for groceries by enrolling in a food assistance program.

    • SNAP (Food Stamps) helps people with limited income buy food. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.
    • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides pregnant women, mothers, and young children with healthy food and support services for prenatal care, breastfeeding, and nutrition.

    If you need additional support, you may sign up for other public benefits, such as Cash Assistance, using ACCESS HRA.

    All New Yorkers deserve to celebrate, honor, and memorialize their loved ones who have passed. Even during these difficult times, we must continue to practice social distancing, good hand hygiene, and infection prevention to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect others from getting sick.

    You can get health and safety guidance for funeral services and funeral homes on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety page.

    Financial Assistance

    Financial assistance from the Human Resources Administration (HRA) may be available to meet funeral expenses for a low-income New York City resident who passed away.

    You may also qualify for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Burial Reimbursement program. 

    Learn more on the Funeral Financial Assistance page.

    COVID-19 Information

    Health Guidance

    Visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety page for information about:

    • Symptoms and health risks
    • Prevention
    • Treatment
    • Guidance for specific groups, such as children and travelers

    Testing

    Visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing page for information about COVID-19 test sites and free self-test kits.

    Vaccines

    Visit the:

    Services for COVID-19 Patients

    Visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety page to learn about services and care for people who are sick, self-isolating, or in recovery, including:

    • Medication delivery
    • Transportation to appointments
    • Long-COVID support

    Health Care Access

    Health Care Providers

    If you don’t have a health care provider and need to schedule a primary care appointment, visit the Find a Doctor page for a referral.

    Health Insurance

    You can learn about free or low-cost public health insurance programs and services on the following pages:

    The enrollment period for New Yorkers to enroll in private health insurance coverage has been extended. Learn more about your options and find enrollment assistance on the GetCoveredNYC Health Insurance Application Assistance page.

    Health Care Access for Uninsured

    If you are not eligible for insurance or can’t afford it, the NYC Care health care access program may be an option for you. Learn more on the NYC Care page.

    Mental Health

    You can get free, confidential help with mental health or substance abuse issues, including crisis services and treatment referrals.

    Learn more on the NYC Well and Mental Health Support page.

    New York State continues to distribute Pandemic EBT food benefits to all households with eligible children who receive free school lunch under the National School Lunch Act. Nearly all eligible children throughout the state who had their in-person attendance reduced during the 2020-21 school year due to the pandemic have been issued their P-EBT food benefits.

    The State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is distributing Summer P-EBT food benefits to eligible students. Each eligible student will receive $375 in food benefits.

    P-EBT food benefits will remain available and accessible on your P-EBT Food Benefit card for at least 274 days from the date they were issued.

    Learn more about P-EBT food benefits.

    P-EBT Card Replacement or PIN Reset

    You can request a replacement P-EBT card by phone if your previously issued card has been lost, stolen or damaged. You can also change or reset your card's PIN number.

    You will need to provide information to verify the cardholder's identity, including the cardholder’s 8-digit birthday (MM/DD/YYYY) and the 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) you selected for the P-EBT food benefit card that you are replacing. If you did not previously create a PIN, you will still be able to order a replacement card by following the prompts.

      • Agency: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
      • Division: Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Customer Service
      • Phone Number: (888) 328-6399
      • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM
      • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours.

      Further Assistance

      You can contact the P-EBT Food Benefits Helpline or submit an online form if you need more help with P-EBT benefits.

      Visit the following pages instead if you need case assistance with:

      The P-EBT Food Benefits Helpline can only answer questions and concerns about the Pandemic EBT benefits. You can get information about benefit payments, including the amount paid.

      Online

      Submit your questions through the P-EBT Information Form.

      By Phone

      • Agency: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
      • Division: P-EBT Food Benefit Helpline
      • Phone Number: (833) 452-0096
      • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

      For information about transmission, how to keep you and your pets safe, and services for pet owners who are sick, go to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety page.

      You can get posters, flyers, and palm cards on COVID-19 safety from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

      Got to the Health and Mental Hygiene Literature page to get free copies of these materials by mail or to download them online.

      Volunteer

      Health Care Volunteers

      If you are a health professional, such as a doctor or nurse, you can volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps to help address public health needs during the pandemic.

      Learn more on the Health Care Provider Assistance page.

      Community Organizations

      If your organization needs volunteers or other resources to support COVID-19 relief efforts, visit the Non-Profit Assistance page.

      Donate or Partner

      Donate Money

      The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City has set up the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to support health care workers, local businesses, displaced hourly workers, families, youth, and vulnerable New Yorkers.

      Learn how to donate money to the Mayor’s Fund on the Donate to New York City page. 

      Share Space

      Registering community spaces is one way you can help support communities during this time. The NYC Share Your Space Survey is critical to helping the City of New York prepare for emergencies and outreach to all of the City's communities.

      Visit the Share Your Space Survey to register your space.

      Supply or Make Supplies

      The City of New York is seeking businesses interested in donating or supplying medical supplies needed to support the City’s COVID-19 response. Learn more on the Donate Goods page.

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