COVID19 Updates

*Information below courtesy of the Refugee Task Force

Statewide Information

Please continue to check DCF’s COVID-19 page for important information and updates: https://www.myflfamilies.com/covid19/

 For important updates from our Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) ACCESS Program, please use the following link: https://www.myflfamilies.com/covid19/access.shtml

 The Florida Department of Health continues to provide updates through their COVID-19 webpage: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

 Florida KidCare continues to offer free, subsidized, and full-pay health insurance options (based on family income and household size) for Florida children: https://www.floridakidcare.org/

 The United States Department of Labor has released PDF documents related to the ‘Families First Coronavirus Response Act’. One document explains ‘Employee Paid Leave Rights’: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/Pandemic/FFCRA-Employee_Paid_Leave_Rights.pdf. While another document describes ‘Employer Paid Leave Requirements’: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/Pandemic/FFCRA-Employer_Paid_Leave_Requirements.pdf

 ‘Women, Infants, and Children’ (WIC) is a federally funded nutrition program for individuals who meet the income and nutrition risk requirements. Information can be found here: http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/wic/index.html. Local WIC contact phone numbers can be found here: http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/wic/contact-info.html

 The 2020 census can be completed online: https://2020census.gov/

 The Vermont Department of Health has translated a COVID-19 “I’ll Protect You, You Protect Me” document in many different languages. Click on the following links to view the corresponding flyer: English, Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, Burmese, Somali, French, Kirundi, Nepali, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese.

 HIAS has translated a “Know Your Rights during COVID-19” flyer into a variety of languages. Click on the following links to view the corresponding flyer: English, Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, French, Russian, and Farsi. 

 The latest information from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-response-coronavirus-2019-covid-19. USCIS plans to begin reopening offices on or after June 4, unless the public closures are extended further.

 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued updated guidance for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients with qualifying dependents eligible for COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments (https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/releases/2020/#4-2020-7). SSI recipients who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying dependents must submit additional information using the IRS’s Non-Filer tool (https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here). The Social Security Administration provides more guidance here: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/

Northwest Region

1. The City of Tallahassee approved a 27% rate reduction for electric utilities for the month of May: https://www.talgov.com/Main/News/4783.aspx

Northeast Region

1. The City of Jacksonville has organized a Mortgage, Rent, and Utility Relief Program. More details can be found here: https://www.coj.net/reliefprogram

Central Region

1. Chrysalis Health continues to offer mental health and substance abuse telehealth services to patients:  https://www.chrysalishealth.com/

Suncoast Region

1. Metropolitan Ministries in Hillsborough County will begin accepting new requests for financial assistance on Monday, May 11. Clients can call 813-209-1000 to request assistance. More details can be found here: http://www.metromin.org/COVID-19Response

1. In Pinellas County, Meals on Wheels for Kids is a new program offering meals delivered to youth ages 18 and under. Call 813-344-5837 to register. More information can be found here: https://networktoendhunger.org/mow4kids/

Southeast Region

1. For assistance with Florida KidCare in Broward County, individuals may call the hotline: [phone] (954-INSURES).

1. The Palm Beach County School District has launched a hotline for those with mental and behavioral concerns. This hotline will be supported by the district’s mental health professionals from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday through Friday). The phone number is 561-432-6389.

1. The Palm Beach Summer Food Service Program will be opening early to feed children impacted by COVID-19. Click here for more details: Palm Beach Summer Food Service Program

Southern Region

1. Miami-Dade Resource Centers offer a variety of social services including home care assistance, light bill/rental assistance, and tax preparation assistance: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1542309305236810