Resources + Referrals
JCC Community Care
Making sure our community stays strong and supported is of utmost importance to us at this time. Please let us know if you need a caring connection including occasional check-in calls, tech support, and/or a phone buddy by filling out this form or call 646.505.4396. We have a cohort of staff and volunteer leaders who are eager to be in touch with you in the days and weeks ahead.
Informational Resources
COVID-19 Testing Locations
On the website of Manhattan borough president Gale Brewer, you can find a list of local testing facilities here
DOROT
Provides services and programming to the aging population, including classes, support groups, and discussions via telephone, including information on Passover seders. DOROT also matches volunteers with older adults for weekly phone conversations. Call 212.769.2850.
Friendly Visiting Program
The City of New York is connecting older New Yorkers who are feeling isolated with friendly volunteers to talk with over the phone. You can call 212.AGING.NYC (212.244.6469) to be connected with the Friendly Visiting Program.
JASA
Social service agency with the goal to keep seniors living independently at home. Provides help with benefits and entitlements assistance, centralized meal delivery system, home care, case management, legal assistance, and mental health services. Call 212.273.5272.
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
Provides assistance to needy New Yorkers including info about food pantry/meals, housing assurance, and emergency social services.. Call 212.453.9500.
Service Program for Older People
Provides behavioral health care for older adults via approved telehealth connections age 55 and older.
212.787.7120 x514.
What Matters: Caring Conversations About End of Life is an organization that offers free advance care planning services, helping individuals communicate their health care wishes, complete the necessary legal documentation, and appoint a healthcare agent who can make decisions on their behalf should they be unable to make them for themselves. An Advance Care Planning Guide in the Time of COVID-19 serves as a useful resource. More COVID19-related, advance care planning information can be found here. Individual or group appointments can be made by contacting whatmatters@mmjccm.org.
Safety and Information:
- National Council on Aging
- Better Business Bureau
- NYC Department of Aging
- NYC COVID-19 site
- Gale Brewer's daily email with Covid19 updates
- Coming of Age NYC
Technology Resources
The JCC offers Zoom tutorials and Computer Tech classes! Click here to sign up.
Candoo Tech provides tech support and lessons specifically designed for older adults. They have developed a series of free How To Guides--downloads and videos.
Free Legal Assistance
Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program
New York Legal Assistance Group - Get Help page
Legal Services NYC - Elder Law
NYC Bar - free legal services
Food Assistance
SNAP (food stamps) benefits help people with limited income buy food. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores. Individuals who receive SNAP benefits can shop either in their local stores or online for fresh produce and groceries. HRA (Human Resources Administration) centers are open if clients need assistance. Individuals can apply for SNAP, manage their benefits case, update their information, and more by visiting this site.
Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens are available for people who need emergency food assistance. For help finding the nearest food pantry, as well as resources for kosher food, call 311 and provide the operator with your zip code. Outside of NYC, please call 211 for information.
Senior Centers are delivering meals directly to the homes of senior center members. Contact your local senior center to learn more about this direct delivery system.
Individuals/families who require kosher food can find a list of kosher pantries here. We strongly recommend calling pantries before going in person to find out their current hours and how they are handling food distribution during this emergency time.
Grab-and-Go Meals: Students that attend New York City schools will now be able to get three free Grab-and-Go meals daily at more than 400 sites across the city from 7:30 am – 1:30 pm until further notice. No registration, ID, or documentation is required. Parents and guardians may pick up meals for their children.
GetFoodNYC Food Delivery Program
The city has created the GetFoodNYC food delivery program to provide food for COVID-19-vulnerable and food-insecure New Yorkers not currently served through existing food delivery programs.
This program is available to those who meet ALL of the following criteria: you are unable to go out and get food for yourself; you do not have someone else in your household who can get food for you; you do not have a family member, friend, or neighbor who lives nearby who can get food for you; you do not receive food from Meals on Wheels, God’s Love We Deliver, or a similar service, and you are not able to afford food delivery from a restaurant or grocery store.
Learn more and sign up for the GetFoodNYC program.
City Meals on Wheels
Provides nourishing meals to homebound elderly.
God's Love We Deliver
Provides nutritious meals for those too sick to prepare food and their caregivers.
NYC Food Delivery Assistance
Click here or call 311 for more information.
Please note that this is intended for individuals and families who meet specific criteria listed on the site.
Meal Delivery for Seniors
Department for the Aging (DFTA) has moved to an all-delivery meal system for older adults. New York City seniors who are registered with a senior center will receive direct delivery, which includes a five-meal package delivered every week. If you are an older adult and would like to register for meal delivery, you can call your local senior center (listed below) or Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212.244.6469). You can also reach out to my office at 212.828.5829 and we are happy to help get you registered.
JASA Club 76 Senior Center
212.712.0170
120 West 76th Street, New York, NY 10023
Hamilton Senior Center - Project Find
212.787.7710
141 West 73 St., New York, NY 10023
between Amsterdam and Columbus Ave
Supermarket (with Seniors-Only Hours)Age-friendly guide to Manhattan supermarkets Zabars Gristedes Foods Key Food Supermarkets Whole Foods Westside Market
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Delivery / Errands
Free delivery for essentials such as food, medication, and household supplies.
Invisible Hands
Free deliveries for at-risk New Yorkers/seniors (hardware store items, groceries, prescriptions, errands, etc).
invisiblehandsdeliver.com
The Mever Task Force The Mever Task Force at the Moise Safra Center has decided to help overcome the challenges the New York Community is facing due to the spread of COVID-19. They are currently organizing groups of young volunteers that want to help at-risk populations. To request services, please call (920) 757-3342 or email: asherkatz@meveryouth.com.
Additional Assistance
Unemployment
If you have lost your job, you can claim unemployment insurance benefits. New York State is waiving the 7-day waiting period for unemployment insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to coronavirus closures or quarantines.To learn more and apply for benefits, visit the NYC Unemployment Insurance page.
Application for Rent Freeze
You may apply for a rent freeze here.
Mortgages
The Department of Financial Services issued an emergency regulation requiring that New York State regulated financial institutions provide residential mortgage forbearance on property located in New York, meaning your property cannot be foreclosed on. This will be for a period of 90 days and applies to any individual residing in New York who can demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the emergency regulation.
Interest-Free Bridge Loans
Hebrew Free Loan Society is offering interest-free bridge loans for anyone affected by the coronavirus who lives in the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester County, or on Long Island. Interest-free loans of $2,000-$5,000 are available for purposes including (but not limited to) lost wages due to being unable to go to work, child care costs due to school closures, small business losses, canceled study abroad programs, and related medical costs. Anyone eligible should fill out a Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan application specifying that the request is for coronavirus-related needs. Please indicate an amount between $2,000-$5,000 and provide information for just one guarantor.
Utility Shut-Offs
All utility companies have temporarily suspended gas, electric, and water shut-offs until further notice. You don't need to apply for Emergency Assistance (a One-Shot-Deal) if you are unable to pay your bill. Utility companies cannot shut off your service if your bill is unpaid, even if you received a shut-off notice that states your service will end.
HRA Clients
The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is trying to eliminate, whenever possible, the need for clients to come into their offices. Effective immediately, the number of HRA Centers and Offices open to the public has been reduced.
Please click on the following links for important updates:
- Child Support
- Medicaid
- One Shot Deal
- Public Assistance or Welfare
- SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Home Care
- Adult Protective Services
- Eviction Prevention and HomeBase
Domestic or Gender-Based Violence
All Family Justice Centers are closed until further notice, but you can still get help with immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and other services by phone. Find Family Justice Center phone numbers.
Mental Health Resources |
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Veterans NYC Well NYS Mental Health Hotline NYC Thrive
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Pharmacy Delivery |
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Major pharmacy chains have agreed to offer free home delivery to help reduce long lines for prescriptions at their facilities. Find the nearest pharmacy to you at the links below. Many non-chain pharmacies are also offering delivery. Make sure to call ahead to your local pharmacy to avoid making unnecessary trips. Walgreens/Duane Reade |
Avoiding ScamsSee the information below from the Federal Trade Commission on ways to avoid and report scams. Right now, scammers are scuttling out of their dark corners to offer false hope (Home test kits! A cure!) and use fear (Your Social Security number is about to be revoked! Your loved one is in trouble!) – all to get your money or information.
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Pet Needs
Pet owners should call the ASPCA Pet Food Distribution Helpline at 800.738.9437 to request an appointment. This includes dog and cat supplies only, and distribution is subject to eligibility and availability. Open to residents of New York City; no same-day appointments; the one-hour window for pick-up, don't come early and call if you're running late; bring a photo ID and be prepared to carry supplies! (DON'T bring pets!)
Bideawee
https://www.bideawee.org
Pet loss support, volunteer opportunities, information about pet care
Lap of Love
Teleadvice, home euthanasia, bereavement support, veterinary assistance.
https://www.lapoflove.com/
855.933.5683
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