COVID-19 Updates & Resources.
To Find Staff Contact Info Click Here: https://
If you would like to donate to our safe shelter text fgcshelter to 41444 to donate from the safety of your own home.
Text COVIDNC to 898211 for info & Updates regarding the coronavirus.
Stay up to date with NC COVID19 Case count and announcements here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/
For all COVID19 Resources please dial 2-1-1 from any phone, they are 24/7.
Here is the financial crisis hotline number: 828-338-8193. Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 828-228-1787. Sexual Assualt Crisis line: 828-302-6952
CARES Act/Stimulus Checks: Still no word on when SSI recipients will receive their Stimulus checks.
- Here is a cool site, to find out when their stimulus check is coming! https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
- IRS has temporarily disconnected their customer service line.
- What people will get?
- Single people earning below $75,000 will get $1,200
- Married couples earning below a combined $150,000 will get $2,400
- Parents will receive $500 for each child under age 17
- A reduced amount will be available for individuals and couples making more than $75,000 and $150,000 respectively. But there will be no payments for individuals earning more than $99,000 or couples earning more than $198,000
- What is the small print?
- Eligibility is primarily determined by tax returns
- NOTE: Immigrants without valid Social Security numbers and “resident alien” status will NOT receive any payment. (Resident alien status means either a Green Card or the ability to prove a “substantial presence”). This excludes people who may have filed taxes under an ITIN individual taxpayer identification number) rather than an SSN
- Someone who did not file a tax return in 2018 (e.g. a student), must file a 2019 return to qualify
- Individuals receiving Social Security benefits are on file with the government and payments will be based on those records and DO NOT need to file 2019 taxes.
- People who have filed income tax in 2018 and then moved, and have not yet filed for 2019, will face a delay
- Taxes:
- The tax filing and paying deadline has moved to July 15, but people are still encouraged to file now, especially if they will be receiving moeny .
So – myfreetaxes.com is the way to go for anyone looking to get their taxes done!
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–Financial Resources:
- Tranzmission is offering financial assistance amounts of $75-150 to nonbinary and / or transgender individuals in western North Carolina
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–New information for Hotel/Motel for your clients:
- On Friday, the Attorney General released this: https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-josh-stein-works-to-protect-north-carolinians-from-evictions-during-covid-19-pandemic/
- So what has changed? Basically, the attorney general is urging motels to not evict people and has reached out to the ones that have been reported as trying to evict their guests. When you receive a call for motel/hotel bill assistance, hopefully soon you can also refer them to nc211.org for this information (I don’t believe it’s live yet but will be soon).
- Holiday Inn in Charlotte shut off the power and the water to the hotel in an effort to have their guests leave, regardless of if they had paid or not. This may have also happened at an Extended Stay, and may happen at other hotels/motels in Charlotte and other areas.
- Call Legal Aid and the Attorney General and if you feel safe, stay where you are
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Housing/ Evictions:
- The information for renters has been updated, so this is definitely a place to refer people to get information to share with their landlord if they are not being the nicest: https://www.nc211.org/coronavirus-covid-19 under the heading Housing/Evictions
- This website will be updated frequently so it is a good way for us to stay up to date with resources, as well as give it to our clients.
- As always, Tonya is our spring of knowledge with housing so please call or text her housing and crisis line 828-338-8193
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–Food Resource:
- Catawba CountyFood Resource Guide: Download Here ->> Catawba County Meal Resource Guide.4.20.2020
- Corona Community: this is for the high-risk population (65 and over and/or preexisting conditions). This does not guarantee that someone will help them.
- There is no guarantee they will receive assistance, nor that assistance will be received quickly, however, it is a cool new option!
- Here are the steps someone will take according to their website:
- https://www.coronacommunity.org/#form
- Request: Complete the request form below.
- Confirmation Call: Within a day or two, someone will call to confirm the details. We will try up to three times.
- Alert: We alert local partners who are delivering food, etc. See the map of covered areas, below.
- Connect: As they are able, a local partner may contact you directly to arrange delivery details.
- Here is a phone number instead of us entering a client that might not have access to the internet. 919-459-5681.
- New program will help families with children who receive free-and-reduced lunch purchase food while school is out. Learn more at bit.ly/34UT7av
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Unemployment:
- As we know there has been a lot of problems with our unemployment systems. Phone lines and websites have been crashing all day on most days. They are getting well over 3,000 applications a week. But let’s say you have a client venting about this? Here are some talking points!
- Assure them they are not alone in their frustration, and lack of access to be able to complete their applications. I know with 2-1-1 we have been just reminding callers that we have never seen anything like this and we are working tirelessly to meet the needs of our community the best way we can.
- If you are unable to get through via website or phone complete this form: www.des.nc.gov/customer-contact-form
- Having trouble signing into your online accounts? Email NCDESpasswordhelp@nccommerce.com
- If a client’s unemployment account gets locked up it will now unlock itself in 30 minutes.
- Other questions they may have:
- What does it mean if my claim is pending?
- The employer has 10 days to respond to your claim, so it may show pending during the period. If they don’t respond in 10 days, and they have identified the virus as the reason for the separation of employment this system will automatically fix the issue.
- I’ve been approved, do I need to complete a weekly verification?
- If you do not complete this you will not be considered for payment. If you filed due to the virus you may answer yes to did you look for work? This is set forth under the governor’s executive order. You don’t have to look for work while NC is under a state of emergency.
- What does it mean if my claim is pending?
- Assure them they are not alone in their frustration, and lack of access to be able to complete their applications. I know with 2-1-1 we have been just reminding callers that we have never seen anything like this and we are working tirelessly to meet the needs of our community the best way we can.
- Looking for a job? https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZC5Eg0tuD8NFGg-i_aE5Xr4tO6ICANIzqkNhLQtcfU4/edit?fbclid=IwAR0eLRLvFZx_UL1EF4zAV_jH4iqwLM7UedNCTmyXSmx4AWUMTI88trKHgvU
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–Mental Health:
- 24 hr line and talk line for those in distress: SAMHSHA Disaster Distress Hotline Text TalkWithUs to 66746 or call 1800-985-5590
- Family Guidance Center is offering Anxiety and Depression Support Group twice a month, also virtual therapy sessions. Call 828-322-1400 for more info.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–Children:
- Childcare: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/covid19/child-care?fbclid=IwAR3nvFZa4ZUOvhYYo7lMpvOCjjJ-ap-PRX5q4OvEAT5yJXCDFroQwQnj9-0
- There is free internet options for children in the home that are in school, please call 2-1-1 for resources.
- Looking for some fun and educational activities for your children while you stay indoors?
- Children’s Museum of Manhattan: You may not be able to visit the children’s museum, but why not bring it home to you? Visit the Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s website for some ideas on how to fill your child’s day with engaging interactive activities. There’s something for everyday of the week!
- Children’s Museum of the Arts: Check out these videos from the Children’s Museum of the Arts and learn how to make creative art projects out of household materials: tie-dye flowers, space stations, puppets. There’s something for everyone!
- Disney Workouts: Disney is offering free, family-friendly workout series that will have you breaking a sweat without even leaving your home.
- Lincoln Center Pop-up Classroom: a daily dose of creativity designed and led by some of world’s best artists and educators. Each daily digital live class will utilize simple materials found at home to help families with children explore a variety of art forms.
- Scholastic: Scholastic created a fun-filled list of free at-home activities for children.
- Storyline Online: A digital library of dozens of children’s books read by celebrated actors, including Oprah Winfrey.
- Time for Kids magazine is providing access to its digital archive. Stories are suitable for Grades K-6 and grouped according to grade level. They are designed to teach children about the world around them and build news literacy.
- Many parents are looking for advice on how to speak with children about COVID-19. Below are some helpful videos and activity sheets:
- Great resource from the CDC on how to talk to your children about the coronavirus https://bit.ly/CDCTalking2Children. #covid19
- PBS: Read this article from PBS Kids that provides helpful tips about talking to children about COVID-19.
- Sesame Street: Our friends at Sesame Street created a guide on how to discuss COVID-19 with young children.
- Importance of Washing Hands: Sesame Street created fun, printable coloring pages that teaches children how to wash their hands step-by-step.
- Support For Parents & Caregivers
- With schools closed and kids at home, many parents are facing added stress. Here are ways parents can destress:
As we remain in our homes for extended periods of time to help stop the spread of COVID-19, parenting can be especially challenging.
- Here are some positive parenting tips to help keep the calm at home.
- See also, Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others
- The American Academy of Pediatrics Advises Parents Experiencing Stress over COVID-19
- Tips for Coping with a New Baby During COVID-19
- Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- With schools closed and kids at home, many parents are facing added stress. Here are ways parents can destress:
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