Coronavirus: Resources and Updates

NEW: Emergency loans for HDFCs. Apply today!

Welcome to UHAB's coronavirus resource center. Read on for information about building sanitation, volunteer aid, benefits, taxes, and more.

We want to hear from you! How has your building reacted to this crisis? What do you need? Reach out to us by email or at (212) 479-3337. Let's share strategies and build a collective response. 

Click here to explore virus prevention tips for your HDFC.

 

 

Stay informed:
 
  • Sign up for emergency alerts. Text COVID to 692-692 to join the NYC government text alert system. For text alerts in Spanish, text COVIDESP to 692-692. 
  • Get free news updates. The New York Times and the Washington Post are offering free coverage of Coronavirus-related news.
  • Beware of misinformation. Don't circulate information that doesn't come from a confirmed response. This includes screenshots of emails or texts claiming to come from CDC or City officials. 
  • Fight stigma. There's been a spike in hate crimes against Asian Americans. We need to be on guard against racism and stigma, and look out for our neighbors. If you have been harassed, call 311 or file a complaint online.
  • Sign up for local updates. Sign up for your local councilperson and borough president's newsletters to get updates about your neighborhood. 
  • Check the City's website for updates.
  • Read the fact sheet: What to do if you feel sick in English and in Spanish
  • Check UHAB's website. We will update this resource list periodically at uhab.coop/coronavirus. 
  • Know what services are suspended: Here's a list of all the city agencies and what services are remote, suspended, or otherwise adjusted. 
 
Community Response, Mutual Aid, and Food Access:
 
  • Work with your neighbors to stop the spread of the virus. Check out our guide to working with your building here.
  • Request help for yourself and your neighbors. mutualaid.nyc is a hub for different mutual aid efforts. You can request assistance (in the way of food delivery, childcare, eldercare, and more.) They also have links to other resource guides; things like resources for queer and trans people, links to other groups doing similar work, etc.
    • A lot of smaller neighborhood efforts for mutual aid are happening through Facebook or Google Suite. Find your neighborhood group here! 
  • Free food for pick-up: Any New Yorker can pick up three free meals to-go, no questions asked, at 400 locations around the city. Find a location near you on the Department of Education's website here.
  • Food Hub NYC: See what locations in NYC are giving away food, find an open food bank, and more. 
 
Cleanliness, risk reduction, and apartment guidelines:
 
 
 
  • There are two emergency loans available from the Small Business Association. Funds are limited, so apply as soon as possible!
    • ​The Economic Injury Disaster Loan is for expenses like mortgage payments, payroll, loan payments, and other necessary expenses. There is an emergency advance grant of $10,000 paid 3 to 4 days after application.
    • The Paycheck Protection Program pays for employee payroll and utilities only. It pays for 8 weeks of expenses going forward. You must apply through an SBA-approved lender. The loan is up to 100% forgivable. 
  • Read our guide to the loans here for more information about the differences between them and how to apply. 
 
Financial assistance for residents:
 
  • Sick leave and job protection: Your employer is mandated to offer you job protection and, in some cases, sick leave. More information here.
  • Emergency loans: The Hebrew Free Loan Society has emergency loans between $2,000 and $5,000 for those affected by COVID-19. 
  • Unemployment and Benefits: Check NYC's COVID-19 Services and Resources page for updated information about public assistance. Additional benefits are available in light of COVID-19. 
    • The seven-day waiting period for unemployment benefits is waived! Info about filing is here. 
    • Here's a guide to changes to benefits on the federal, state, and local level.
    • Access HRA is a tool to access benefits without making a trip to an HRA office. For those seeking SNAP benefits or those already in receipt but with a recertification coming due, ACCESS HRA, can be used to submit the application/recertification form and to upload pictures of documents needed for eligibility determinations. For those in receipt of cash assistance benefits, ACCESS HRA can be used to submit requests for special grants and emergency assistance without having to come to a Job Center. 
  • Small businesses: New York City is offering grants and loans to small businesses affected by COVID-19. United for Small Businesses NYC has more resources for small businesses.
  • School debt and medical debt: Medical and student debt collection owed to the state of New York is paused for 30 days. (That was announced on March 16th, so debt collection is suspended until April 15th.) Other types of debt owed to the State of New York may also be paused. Learn more here.
  • Credit card debt: Many banks are offering some type of debt relief to those affected by COVID-19 such as waived fees or deferred payments. Here's a roundup of what different banks are offering.
  • Section 8: HPD is making some changes to Section 8. See the full list of updates here. Building owners can email DTROS@hpd.nyc.gov with questions. Changes include:
    • Subsidy terminations are suspended
    • Additional time for anyone with an active voucher 
    • Non-emergency HQS inspections are suspended
  • Mortgage moratorium: Mortgage payments are waived for 90 days for households experiencing COVID-related hardship.
  • Eviction moratorium: Evictions are suspended for 90 days across the state. 
  • Taxes: A few tax deadlines have been extended. See this statement for details.
    • The deadline to file personal income taxes is extended to July 15th.
    • Penalties are waived for late tax filings with the Department of Finance, such as property tax filings.
    • The deadline for corporate taxes is extended to April 15th.
 
For the elderly:
 
  • Social Security: Social security offices are closed to the general public. Stay updated by checking their webpage here, or call  (800) 772-1213. Payments to social security beneficiaries will not be affected. Social Security will contact you to reschedule your appointment if you have one. Phone scams are on the rise, so beware of scammers. The agency will never call to tell you that your Social Security number has been suspended or to demand payments or ask for credit card information.
  • Grocery shopping: Many supermarkets are opening early or prioritizing their regular first hour of opening for senior citizens and the most at-risk. Here's a list of Senior-friendly grocery stores, with contact information, for Manhattan.
  • Get help: If you're elderly, immunocompromised, or otherwise at risk, it's safer to stay home! Request someone to deliver groceries or medication here, or by calling 212-479-3337. 
 
Internet and other utilities:
 
  • Comcast: 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.
  • Spectrum: house holds with K-12 students can get free Spectrum Wifi for 60 days (including free installation for new customers). Call 1-844-488-8395 for set up.
  • Wifi hotspots: Here's a map of free wifi hotspots across the city.
  • Utilities: Con Edison has temporarily suspended shutoffs for nonpayments. Con Edison workers are only coming to homes by request, for emergencies, or for safety checks.
  • Petition: Housing advocates are mobilizing to suspend utilities, along with rent and mortgages, for the duration of the crisis. A rent suspension would not apply to HDFC shareholders. Safe housing is a human right - and it's essential to stop the spread of the virus! Sign the petition here.
 
For Families with Children:
 
  • iPads for students: The Department of Education is lending out iPads to support remote learning for students. Fill out this survey to get on the list for distribution. 
  • Childcare for essential workers: Essential workers can access childcare through Regional Enrichment Centers. Learn more here.
  • Grab and Go lunches and breakfasts: Check this webpage for updates about food pickup for kids. 
  • Updates and information: Make an account on mystudent.nyc to get updates on the school system and stay involved in your child's education.
  • Activities for kids: This resource guide has lots of activities for kids, and tips for talking to kids about coronavirus. 
 
For immigrants and undocumented New Yorkers:
 
 
Wellness:
 
 
 
 

We're working remotely, but we're still working for you.

As a precaution against the spread of COVID-19, UHAB has implemented a policy of having staff work remotely and moving in-person meetings to phone or online conference, effective immediately. Paramount in our discussion was the health of the UHAB Staff, the health of the building residents, colleagues and those we do business with and our responsibility to the public health of the City.  We will monitor the ever changing situation and keep you informed of changes.

UHAB staff are available through our individual emails and phone numbers. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

We will continue to move forward with our campaigns, services and programs, lending activities, and assistance for HDFC co-ops as long as circumstances permit. Please continue to check www.uhab.coop for news and updates.