All the Latest Guidance from the New York City Related to COVID-19

All the latest guidance from face masks to how to properly document your eligibility for NYS Emergency Paid Sick Leave can be found here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page

COVID-19 Vaccine, Testing and Health Insurance Information:

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to certain groups in NYC. To find out more information, please visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-vaccines-faq.pdf

The City is continuing to expand capacity for COVID-19 testing. For more information, please visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page

NYC Care: NYC Care is a health care access program for people who are not eligible for or cannot afford health insurance. It is now available in every borough.  To learn more, visit www.nyccare.nyc

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection: 

Get DCWP Alerts and Information During COVID-19 Crisis: For the latest information to all of our COVID-19 resources listed below and in additional languages, please visit: nyc.gov/DCWPAlerts

Workplace Laws: NYC workplace laws are still in effect. There have been new amendments to the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law that will take effect in 2 Phases. Learn more about employee rights and employer responsibilities here: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/workers/Complying-with-NYC-Workplace-Laws-During-COVID-19.pdf

Returning to Work During COVID-19: Important Information for Domestic Workers and Their Employers: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/workers/ReturntoWork-Information-for-Domestic-Workers-and-Employers.pdf

Learn more about important guidelines and resources available to workers under Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the reopening: www.nyc.gov/workers

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers:

Our professional financial counselors can help New Yorkers manage their bills and credit amidst the coronavirus crisis, understand student loan repayment options, and more in a confidential setting. For the health and safety of our providers and clients, most Financial Counseling sessions will be conducted over the phone. Book an appointment at www.nyc.gov/talkmoney 

NYC Free Tax Prep:

The tax filing season will begin on February 12. The deadline to file a 2020 tax return is April 15, 2021. If you are required to file a return, NYC Free Tax Prep can assist you, if you meet income requirements.

We urge eligible New Yorkers to use NYC Free Tax Prep services including, In-person Tax Prep, Drop-off Service, Virtual Tax Prep, and Assisted Self-Prep to file taxes for FREE.

Filers will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone and a stable internet connection for virtual free tax prep services. Learn more:  www.nyc.gov/taxprep

Have a Student Loan? Has your income or family size changed?: Important information about payments and resources can be found at www.nyc.gov/studentloans where you can learn about Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans that can lower your monthly payments. Book an appointment for free financial counseling to www.nyc.gov/talkmoney 

Debt Collection:

DCWP has created a letter template that you can fill out and mail (required by federal law) so debt collectors can’t contact you until the State of Emergency in New York City has ended. More information found at https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/consumers/DCA-Template-Cease-Debt-Collection-Communication-Letter-for-Consumers.pdf

Price Gouging:

Please be advised that effective June 26, 2020, DCWP has issued a permanent rule that makes price gouging illegal for any products or services essential to health, safety, and welfare during a declared state of emergency. Learn more: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/media/Face-Masks-in-Short-Supply-Due-to-COVID-19.page

COVID-19 Scams and Safety Tips: Important Information that describes common COVID-19-related scams and tips to stay safe. https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/consumers/COVID-19-Scams-and-Safety-Tips-English.pdf

Questions about Funeral Planning  During COVID-19?: Important Information for New Yorkers who have lost loved ones can be found here: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/consumers/Funeral-Planning-During-COVID-19-English.pdf

NYC Human Resources Administration:

Cash Assistance: You may be eligible for an emergency cash grant if it will meet certain special needs.  For more information call HRA’s Infoline at 718-557-1399 or please visit: https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/

Funeral and Burial Guidance and Assistance: HRA will provide financial assistance to individuals who need assistance to meet qualifying funeral expenses.  For more information, visit: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/burial-assistance.page

Food Resources: 

The City has created the GetFoodNYC Emergency Home Food delivery program to provide food for coronavirus (COVID-19)-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not currently served through existing food delivery programs. Find out more information here.

Taxi and Limousine Commission:

TLC licensees can take advantage of the Driver Resource Center, which provides financial counseling and legal services and other useful free City resources such as health care insurance, mental health resources and more. https://portal.driverresourcecenter.tlc.nyc.gov/ 

Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs:

Public Charge: In New York City, healthcare is a human right. Use of health services related to COVID-19 will not be considered under the public charge rule and will not impact your ability to apply for a green card or citizenship. For more information visit: nyc.gov/publiccharge

Resources for Immigrant Communities During COVID-19:

Many city services are available to all New Yorkers no matter what your immigration status is and regardless of your ability to pay. View the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs’ (MOIA) resource guide for immigrant communities at nyc.gov/immigrants/coronavirus. Downloadable PDF translations of this resource guide are available online in multiple languages.

If you have questions about immigration or how to access City services during the #COVID19 crisis, call our hotline at 212-788-7654 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday or email to AskMOIA@cityhall.nyc.gov

NYC Commission on Human Rights:

NYC Human Rights Law: Harassment and discrimination based on race, national origin, age, and disability (including having COVID-19 or another serious illness) is illegal.  If you have faced harassment or discrimination in housing, at work, or in any public place, contact the Commission by filling out our online form or by calling 311 and asking for "human rights." Please visit: www.nyc.gov/cchr

NYC Department of Education:

The NYC  DOE will be offering childcare to eligible families through their Learning Bridges program—learn more here: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/learning-bridges

Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants:

Tenant Resource Portal: New York City’s first-ever online Tenant Resource Portal created to help residential renter’s access free public and private resources to help prevent evictions and keep tenants stably housed. Visit our portal: https://www1.nyc.gov/content/tenantresourceportal/pages/

Tenant Helpline: New York residential renters can receive legal advice, counseling, and access to other relevant resources based on their specific needs. Tenants can reach the Helpline by calling 311 and asking for the “Tenant Helpline”. Tenants can also reach out by filling out our Contact Us form on our website to be connected with a specialist. https://www1.nyc.gov/content/tenantprotection/pages/contact-us