Riverside is committed to supporting our community in this difficult period. Below are some resources and supports that can help as the Coronavirus continues to impact all aspects of our lives.

Here are some important phone numbers to have as we monitor the spread of the virus:

  • New York State COVID-19 Hotline: 1 (888) 364-3065

  • New York City Department of Health: Dial 311 for immediate connection

  • Department of Community Mental Health: People under self-quarantine, or exposure to a known case, should call (866) 588-0195

  • To receive regular updates on the latest developments regarding coronavirus in New York City, text COVID to 692-692

For updates from the New York City Department of Health, go to: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page

Apply here for Paid Sick Leave if you are quarantined yourself.

  •  If you are under an order of mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation issued by the state of New York, the Department of Health, local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19, the leave available to you depends on the size of your employer as of January 1, 2020, and your employer’s net annual income. This benefit is not available to you if you are able to work through remote access or other means.

MENTAL HEALTH

The outbreak of the Coronavirus is causing tremendous stress and anxiety. Here are some recommendations from the Center for Disease Control on how to manage the stress:

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.

Here are some additional supports:

Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990

National Domestic Violence Hotline; Call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224

EMPLOYMENT /SMALL BUSINESSES

Job-Specific Relief Funds

One Fair Wage Emergency Fund: If you are a restaurant or hospitality worker impacted by COVID-19, click here to receive financial support 

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United: If you currently work in the restaurant industry, click here to receive financial support from Restaurant Opportunities Centers United.

National Domestic Workers Alliance:If you are a domestic worker (in-home care workers, nannies, house cleaners), click here to receive financial support.

Unemployment Insurance

If you need to file for unemployment, here is the link to the Department of Labor site: https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/

New York State is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.

If you are filing a new unemployment insurance claim, the day you should file is based on the first letter of your last name.

If your last name starts with A - F, file your claim on Monday.
For last names starting with G - N, file your claim Tuesday.
For last names starting with O - Z, file your claim on Wednesday.

If you missed your filing day, file your claim on Thursday or Friday.


Small Businesses
The NYC Office of Small Business Services has a host of resources for small businesses. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/sbs/businesses/covid19-business-outreach.page

New York State has an SBA Disaster Loan available. Find out more here: https://esd.ny.gov/resource-guide-covid-19-sba-disaster-loans

EDUCATION

School iPads

The NYC Department of Education is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for public school students. Learn more here: https://coronavirus.schools.nyc/RemoteLearningDevices

Free Wi-Fi

If you live with children who are in grades K-12 and/or college students, and do not already have a subscription, you can get free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. Call 1-844-488-8395

Comcast is also offering Essentials internet service designed for low-income families free for 60 days for new qualifying customers. Visit https://www.internetessentials.com/ for more information. Call 1-855-8-INTERNET for set up and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish. 

AlticeUSA is providing free internet service for all students for 60 days. Please call 866-200-9522 to enroll. 

Charter is offering free internet for 2 months. Please call 1 (877) 906-9121 .

Each of the internet providers below is also offering special services. For more information, please call them directly :

  • AT&T will offer open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low-income families. 

  • Sprint is following the FCC agreement, providing unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot spots for 60 days at no extra charge. 

  • T-Mobile is offering unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.

FOOD

Emergency Food Access

  • For urgent food and hunger needs, call the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or 311. You’ll be provided with hours of operation and directions to the nearest food pantries and community kitchens.

  • Everyone is eligible for emergency food assistance, regardless of immigration status or how much money you have.

  • Food pantries and community kitchens exist in all five boroughs.

  • If you often need help buying food, use ACCESS NYC to see if you’re eligible for SNAP (food stamps) and other benefits.

  • You can also visit the nearest active Emergency Food Assistance Program. Some locations offer kosher food.

Food Pantries

If you need need food, the Plentiful App is a great resource for finding a local pantry and scheduling an appointment to avoid lines and maintain social distancing: https://www.plentifulapp.com/

Food Bank NYC - Find the help that you need

Food Help NYC - Map

Soup Kitchen and Food Pantries - search by borough*

*Please call before going to make sure their hours are still in effect.

Free School Meals

Beginning Monday, March 23, free meals will be distributed at more than 400 sites across the city! To find a location and see what is on the menu visit: schools.nyc.gov/freemeals.

How to pick up a meal:
☑️ No registration, ID, or documentation required
🍏 All three meals may be picked up at the same time. See Translation

Free Baby Formula

If you receive WIC, you can have baby formula delivered FREE to all New York City boroughs. Dial 718-405-9111.